The San Francisco call., 1895-11-14
Christian Women Fear the Power
of Wealth in Aid of the
Accused.
THERE WAS TALK OF LYNCHING
Lane Bailed-Other Charges to Be
Made Against Him, Ratz and
Meyer To-Day.

Judge CampbelPs courtroom was packed
to the doors yesterday morning by men
who were curious TO see Captain Peter f.
Lane, Leon R. Meyer and Philip Ratz, the
three old men charged with criminal
assault upon young girls.
Lane is a white haired old patriarch rs
wears of age and almost deaf and blind.
Meyer is II years of age, but in apparent
possession of his faculties. Ratz is short,
stout man 56years of age.
The three were arraigned and their pre-
liminary examination was set for to-mor-
row, unless their counsel should then ask
for further continuance. Judge Camp
bell refused to fix bail and they were taken
back to the prison.
There were angry mutterings among the
spectators in court and threats of lynch
ing were heard. Mrs. French and Mrs.
Oatman of the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union were in the City Prison,
and they did not hesitate to express their
feeling of indignation against the three
prisoners.
Half dozen other girls were taken to
the City Prison yesterday morning by
Policeman Rourke and Officers McMurray
vention of Cruelty to Children and they
identified each of the prisoners. The chill
dren were placed, along with the FIVE
others, in the care of Matron Gilmore at
the prison and will be kept there till they
give their testimony against the prisoners.
General McComb OF the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children says it
is one of the most aggravated cases that
has ever occurred in this City. Thus far
he has learned of between twenty-five and
thirty little girls WHO have been victims of
the three prisoners.
Last evening Judge Low accepted bonds
for Lanes release. One bond was for $4,000
and the other for $4,000. 1t is probable
that additional charges will be registered
against him to-day.
The ladies of the W. c. T. q. and its
various branches, with Mrs. Rose French
and Mrs. G. R. Oatman at their head, do
not intend that the prosecution shall lose
anything in the way of moral support and
backing.
The ladies and their ieutenants visited
all the churches where prayer-meeetings
were held last night, and interested the
mothers Of the congregations III the prose
cution. After the younger persons had
been dismissed the elder women were ad-
dressed on the subject and urged to carry
on an active campaign in the interest of
justice.
The Civic Federation has also taken up
the matter and the members of that Or
ganizatlon Will support the ladies in pack
ing Judge Campbell's courtroom Friday.
Mrs. Rose French said last night: eve
want the mothers Of the City awakened to
the awful state of affairs existing in our
midst. That is the chief object of the
mass-meeting called for Sunday. In my
investigations to-day I have discovered
many things that are even unknown to
the police, and the horror of the discov-
cries is enough to make every mother
shudder and the fathers who have
daughters to become avengers.
But what we most want to accomplish
in this Immediate case is to enforce Justice
in he face OF wealth. l understand that
these men have means. One of them, |
am told, is worth $300,00 If they were
poor men they would suffer the fullest pen
atty of the law. Unless the moral element
of the community takes up the battle their
wealth will save them. That is why we
want to pack the courtroom Friday after
noon.
''The Civic Federation is with us heart
and soul, and before we get through, the
eyes of the mothers will be opened in
Mortified astonishment before the proof of
the terrible influences to which the
daughters of the land are submitted"
After addressing the prayer meetings
the ladies decided to call mass-meeting
of mothers to be held at the Central
Methodist Church Sunday afternoon. At
this meeting the crimes of which Lane,
Ratz and Meyer are accused will be
denounced and a crusade against vice will
be inaugurated.