The herald., 1894-04-16
CHASTITY FOR CHAsrIrY.
Washington Women Ask Congress to
Expel Ool. BreckInrIdge.

Washington Women Ask Congress to
Expel Col. BreckInridge.
WASHINGTON, April 15.-Hardly had
the verdict been rendered in the Pollard
Breckinridge case when q meeting of
prominent Washington women was
called. Representatives OF several fe-
male organizations met, and after an
interesting conference adopted resolu.
tions calling upon congress to con-
slider the qualifications of Repre-
sentative Breckinridge Tor membership
in that body. Some Of the organizations
represented were the Woman's Suffrage
association, the Woman's Christian
Temperance union. Mrs. Sarah la Fetra
OF the latter organization, and Mrs.
Ellen s. Murphy, the widow of the late
General Murphy, who is a practicing
lawyer and is prominent in the move
ment for the advancement of women,
were among the leading spectators of
the meeting. The resolutions adopted
were:
To the House OF Representatives:
We. representative women of Wash
ington, aiming toward the establishment
of a higher code of morals and against
the atrocious double standard which has
cursed society so long, declare that we
do not believe masculinity to be a Ii
cense for uncleanliness, but holding that
for same high standard for women
which men demand an equally high one
shall be required of manhood; there
fore
Resolved, That we must have chastity
for chastity. under one rule of rights,
bearing as rigidly in it's application upon
one sex as upon the other. From this
standpoint we ssk congress to consider
the case of W. @. P. Breckinridge, re-
garding his conduct so unbecoming
legislator; be it further
Resolved, That we, daughters, wives
and mothers of the commonwealth, ex-
press belief that the types of the high
est manhood are to be found in con-
grees, therefore we ask in fullest conf
dence that the house of representatives
shall join in the sentiment Justly held
by us and take some definite action to
insure the high character of our coun-
try's administration and help the future
national councils to present clean and
unohallenged body of Legislators.
This was the last OF series of meet
ings that prominent women have been
holding since Good Friday, and which
crystsllized into the form of an organiza-
ton called the Woman's Protective
league. The object of the league will
pE W CumDus tbs 1nfUrrsnenF OF Inaci
text uttered on the witness stand by
Colonel Breckinridge, that social sins
injure 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 outgrowth of the Pollard -Breckin-
Il krfa al ha l. =
vited Judge Jere Wilson to become
the general counsel for the league,
but the attorney has not az yet
responded to the invitation. These
meetings have been carried on very
quietly, as the ladies were anxious to
keep their organization q secret until
their plans were perfected. The resolu-
tions given out have sent to the house
committee on judiciary. The women
say it is not right that Colonel Breckin-
ridge should retain his seat in congress
while Miss Pollard is ostracised, as she
will be, from society.
One of the most interesting stories
connected with the suit hangs upon the
testimony Of Miss Louise Lowell, the
typswritist. 1t has been asserted that
her notebook, which played so impor.
tant part in the case. was full of en-.
tries which might be used to blackmaiI
cong eressmen. Miss Lowell, however,
declares that Congressman Breckinridge
was the only one who ever called upon
her to write love letters, and the circum-
stances we're so unusual that they made
an impression upon her memory.
Thinking the matter over during the
trial she concluded it WAS her duty to
bring the matter to the knowledge OF
Miss Pollard's lawyers. This she did,
and Messrs. Wilson and Carlisle had in
terviews with Miss Lowell before they
were able to persuade her to come for
ward in the case.