The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-16
WOMEN TAKE ACTION.
Protective WOman's League Calls on
Congress to Cleanse Itself.

Congress to Cleanse Itself.
WASHINGTON, April 15.-Hardly had the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. verdict been rem
dered yesterday when a meeting of proml-
ntnt Washington women wa3 called 10 take
action regarding the case of Colonel Breck-
inridge Representatives of several female
organizations met at Wizards Hotel last
night, and, after an interesting conference
adopted resolutions calling on Congress to
consider the qualifications of Representative
Breckinridge for membership in that body
Some of the organizations whose repre-
sentatives took part in the meeting were
the Womails Suffrage Association, the
Women's Christian Temperance Union and
the Pro Ra Nata. Mrs. Sarah La Fetra,
the president Of the local w c. T. T.. and
Mrs. Ellen S. Mussey, the widow of the
late General Mussey, who is herself prac-
ticing lawyer and is prominent in move
ments for the advancement of women, were
among the leading spirits of the meeting.
The resolutions adopted follow:
ITO the House of RepreSentatiVeS-We
representatives of the women of Washing
ton, aiming towards the establishment OF
higher code of morals, and against the
atrocious double standard which has cursed
society so long, declare that we do not be-
lieve masculinty TO be license for unclean-
ness, but that, holding the same high stand
ara Tor Womanho0d, Whlch men demand
one equally high shall be required of man.
hood; therefore,
Resolved, That we must have chastity
for chastity, under one rule of right, bear
ing as rigidly in it's application on one sex
as on the other. From this standpoint we
ask Congress to consider the case of w.
G.. p. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, regarding
his conduct so unbecoming a legislator. Be
it further
Resolved, that we, daughters, wives and
mothers Of the commonwealth express our
belief that. types Of the highest manhood
| are to be found in Congress; therefore we
| ask in full confidence that the House of
Representatives shall join in the sentiment
| now presented by us, and take some defin-
ite action to insure the high character of
| our cOuntry's administration and help the
| future national councils to present a clean
This meeting the last of a series
| which prominent women of Washington
| have. been holding since Good Friday, and
| which crystallized into the formation of
| an organization called the Women's Pro-
| tective League. The object Of the league
| will be to combat the enforcement of that
text uttered on the witness stand by Col
| Breckenridge that social sins injure a
| man and destroy a woman" The league
| will endeavOr to secure equal rights for
| both sexes and to aid women who have
been wronged. 1t is. of course, an out
! growth of the -Breckinridge trial.
| The ladies have invited Judge Jere Wilson
| to become the general counsel of the league,
| but the attorney has not yet responded TO
| The meetings have been carried on very
| quietly and the ladies were anxious TO
| keep their organization secret until their
L
| tended the first meeting and one of their
| first acts was to send Mrs. Governor
| Blackburn a communication expressing
their appreciation of the stand taken by
| her in the trial, to which Mrs. Blackburn
| responded suitably. The delegation which
called on Judge Bradley early I'm the trial,
| asking that women be admitted as we'll
| as men, was from this organization, and il
! was as a result Of their visit that the
| Judge requested the newspaper men 10
| omit as far as possible the Improper de-
tails from their reports. The resolutions
| given out tonight have been sent TO the
| House committee on judiciary for action.
| The women say that il is not right that
Colonel Breckenridge should retain his seat
| in Congress while Miss Pollard is ostra-
cised. she undoubtedly will be, from
| society.
one of the most interesting stories con-
| nected with the suits hangs upon the testi-
| mony OF Miss Louise Lowell which was
! important TO the plaintiffs case Much has
been said about the Capitol typewriter il
| q humorous way since Miss Lowell testi.
! fed. and il has even been asserted that her
| notebook. which played part SO important
/ in her testimony, fun of entries which
| might be used to blaCkmail. Congressman
| Miss Lowell declares that Colonel Breckin
| ridge is the only member who ever called
on her to write love letters, and the cir
cumstance was SO unusual that il made
an indelible impression on her memory. Ev
cry woman has a confidential friend tC
whom she confdes her secrets. When Miss
Lowell acted as amanuensis for the Ken
| lucky Congressman she told the story L
her intimate lady friend. That was eigh
years ago, and the matter had not been spO
ken of between them until the time of thi,
trial The friend remembered IL, however
as women do, and. thinking the matter
over. concluded that IL was her duty L
bring the matter TO the knowledge Of Miss
POllard's lawyers. This she did, and Messrs
Wilson and Carlisle had three interview
with Miss Lowell before they were able I,
persuade her 10 come forward in the case
Thus IL was that when questioned by tn
! attorneys for the defense Miss Lowell saiS