The morning times., 1896-02-14
TO ATTACK The DIVISION
Pastors, People and Congress 10
Put Themselves on Record.
MARSHALING THE FORCES
Results or Conference Held Last Night
at Times Buiiding-Mrs. Kate Bar
rett Reads Letters From Cardinal
Gibbons and Other Distinguished
CIergymen-Meeting to BE Held

A conference was held in the Ad Writer'S
room, in The Times Building, last night,
having for its object the discussion of the
plans in outline for the enforcement of law
against the existence of the notorious
Division.
The ultimate object of the movement is
to have a bill presented in Congress to
deal, once for all, with a subject, every
where. except in some off iciaI circles,
considered 10 he a disgrace 10 the Capital
and, therefore, OF the nation.
The leading spirit In this popular move
ment, which has been agitated by The
Times, is Mrs. Kate Waller Barrett, the
superintendent OF the National Florence
Crittenton Mission. and who has been
eIninently succeSsful practically in many
| of her undertakings in the mission and in
other organizations.
Some days ago Mrs. Barrett wrote a
letter, in her official capacity rs secretary
! of the mission, to some of the more dis
! tinguished pastors Of Washington and 10
the presidents OF representative orEaniza-
/ tions OF the city who would be expected
! TO take an interest IN the movement. She
! also wrote to several OF the leading busi-
ness men.
MRS. BARRETTS LETTER.
The following is an extract from this let
! ter:
The attention OF our national society
having been called TO the extreme laxity in
The execution of the laws against that part
of the city known as the division: and earn
est appeals having come 10 us from promi-
nent DdsineSs men that we take some means
of calling the attention OF Congress to
the true state of affairs, we have deemed
/ it advisable at this time To call meeting
] of representative citizens OF the District
/ for the purpose of laying before them the
plans we have in mind and asking for adj
| vice and cooperation in carrying them into
! effect" Mrs. Barrett also asked for ex-
| pressiOns Of opinion from such as could at
| tend.
Among those who replied Were Cardinal
Gibbons, rev. Or. Mackaye-Smith. Rev. ID.
/ K. Skeilenger. Rev. Dr. Newman OF The First
/ Congregational Church, and Hon Simon
! Wolf. The general tone or the replies was
! in favor OF the moral purpose of the under
! taking and all OF the letters contained
/ words OF encouragement for Mrs. Barrett.
Only one OF the writer's stated that he did
not think the evil cnrable by legislation.
THE CARDINAL WILL HELP.
The letter Of Cardinal Gibbons was par
ticularly friendly in tone and was an auto
| graph. He suggests o Mrs. Barrett that she
/ put herself in communication with Rev. DR..
! Keane, rector OF the Catholic University,
who, he says, viii assist in whatever has
| for its objectmoral and social reform. Mrs.
| Barrett said last night that she would work
on the line indicated by the cardinal.
! 1t is probable that the letters of these
| clergymen viii be given out for publication
at the next meeting, which has been fixed
| for next Wednesday evening at half past Z
O'Clock at the same place.
| Treasurer RackfOrd OF the Anti-SaloOr
| League spoke in favor OF the movement, as
! did Mr.. w. Livingstone Bruen, who is ac
| lively at work in the cause.
| 1t is likely that at the next meeting ar
rangements will be made for mass meet
ing. at which the plans will be publicly dis
! cussed- Mrs. Barrett is in communication
| with the good government organizations OF
the country, the Y. NJ. c. As, the W. c.
| T. Us. and all other national organizations
| pledged to moral reform. 1t is a part OF
the plan 10 have these organizations me-
! morialize Congress on the subject with a
view Of getting at the public sentiment and
| showing ii to the lawmakers.
Mrs. Barrett said, among other things
! last night, that she did not anticipate that
any considerable number of the members
either of the House or Senate would have
! the hardihOod to vote against bill having
the purpose of the one proposed.
Is SURE OF SUCCESS.
The preparation of this bill will be lef
to a committee composed OF residents oi
| the District, which committee will be eX
| pected to push the matter vigorously. A
| the next meeting there viii be read somt
| very interesting statistical informal atiou
| referring TO the Division and a map vii
be presented showing that local interests
moral and social are, or may be, affected
| by the plague spot.
Mrs. Barrett spoke with her accustomed
! enthusiasm OF the business now in hand
and has full confidence that the moral ele
ments of the community and especially thu
pastors of the city, will extend a helping
| hand.
She does not discount the opposition
which is expected, both from unofficial ant
official sources, but this, she says, il
the history Of all reforms Mrs. Barrett
has already sufficient assurances of fore,
to make movement that will make 1T
self felt and that will gather strength
as its efforts become known to the righ
thinking people Of Washington.
The day of meeting has been changed
from Thursday to Wednesda in order tina
pastors viii be free from their usual Thurs
day evening engagements at their respec
tive churches.
/