The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-27
WILL BE A BAD FIGHT.
The Attempt to Get Russ Out of His
Place in the "Charities.''

The Attempt to Get Russ Out of His
Place in the Charities"
Owing to the rain yesterday the meet
ing of the district visitors of the Asso-
ciated Charities at the home of Mrs.
Van Cleve at 1927 Western avenue yes
terday afternoon was not well attended
Only three persons were there besides
the hostess. In consequence of this an
other meeting was Immediately called
for the same place on Thursday after
noon at o'clock,
The few women who were present dis
cussed the matter as thoroughly as they
could ard declared that something ought
to be done right away.
Meanwhile the people interested are
busy talking and denying.
Secretary Russ, against whom the
charges of bad conduct have been pre-
ferred, appeared before Vice President
Edward Wilder this morning and de-
MED absolutely the charges made. They
are wholly false. he said, and were the
result of spite and Jealousy. Mr.. Wilder
and his followers seem to believe him.
Mr.. Wilder made some inquiries of
some of the women of the association and
said today:
"While l have no desire to cast any
reflections on the women concerned in
this affair, find that each pleads inno-
C0uC0 anu says SOu1G OLuSI Is " DAdH AO.
1t is disorderly and unjustifable pro-
ceeding"
A letter he wrote to one of the visitors
is here quoted from:
"The Associated Charities has recog-
nized head, in the person of Rev. b. L.
Smith, whose standing in the community
amply justifies the confidence that any
complaints in the management of the
work would be listened to respectfully,
and given all proper attention
1.-The district visitors were selected and
organized for the purpose of carrying for
ward the important work in what seems to
be the best method, and if there was any
feeling among them that the secretary
was not performing his duties in a salts
factory manner, those who felt dissatis-
fed should have gone direct to President
Smith with definite charges and proper
evidence
The attempt to bring the district
visitors generally into a meeting
for criticism and to add weight
by also bringing in the
Social Purity League was, 1 think. a
very serious mistake, though [ am quite
willing to believe the parties who per-
mitted themselves to be used in this way
did it thoughtlessly and perhaps out of
misplaced sympathy.
''The past history of one of the parties
mentioned by you as active in the move
ment, is net such as to inspire conf
dence.
"In the proper performance of his
duties Mr.. Russ has necessarily drawn
the lines against parties, who have there
by felt aggrieved, and from all l Can
learn the entire matter is simply an ex-
hibition of spite on the part of two or
three who have not been permitted to
make use of the Associated Charities in
accordance with their own desires.
without any desire to shield Secre-
tary Russ from just criticism. feel very
strongly that where the good of the pub
lie work and the reputation of an officer
employed therein are at stake, the
friends who have permitted themselves
to be used to give character to the
charges published, would nave done bet
ter to have referred the parties to Presi-
dent Smith or to have gone to him them
selves"
For the present at least Mr.. Russ will
retain his position. There will be no
"suspending during investigation.
At the meeting tomorrow afternoon
the charges will be made clear and will
then be presented to the president of the
association, Rev. Mr.. Smith, for considera-
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