The morning times., 1896-04-20

speakers at the anti-Division meeting held
yesterday afternoon at Gunton Temple Me-
mortal Presbyterian Church the war against
the Division will be carried ON more re-
lentlessly than ever and with redoubled
efforts for final victory. 1t might also be
understood that in the future the effort to
suppress vice in the scarlet district, there
would be no distinction made between the
male and female violators of divine and
civil laws, and those found guilty of or in
any way being party TO the crime would
be made to suffer alike.
The meeting was well attended and was
conducted by President Bruen, who opened
the exercises with the reading of the scrip
ture lesson.
The first speaker was the Rev. S. j.
Smith, Of the Central Methodist Church.
who impressed upon his hearers that they
were face to face with very serious
problem and it was their duty to evolve
a timely and proper solution OF it. There
was no doubt of ultimate success, he said,
for there were plenty OF good men and
women in the city willing and waiting To
make any and all sacrifice TO fight this
social evil to oblitcration.
II is not the aim of the organiZa ton to
make new laws to fit the existing condi-
tions There is plenty OF law, he said, on
this special subject, and the object is
simply to have these laws honestly executed
without fear or favor. II must be our one
object to induce those charged with the
execution of the laws to enforce them.
There appears to be q lethargy among the
officials whose duty ii is TO enforce them
and first OF all we must get rid of this.
OPPOSITION TO BE MET.
The movement against the Division, Mr..
Smith said, was confronted by two forces,
one an open opposition, and the other
''let it alone policy" You are warned
by the advocates of this latter policy to
not even speak of it for fear the dicussion
might cause the evil 10 spread. Both these
methods of treating the subject are wrong
and must be overcome. We can let 1T
alone and live in comfort and safety OF
our own homes, but the question that Will
ever present itself to our minds is, will it
let us aionc?"
In conclusion Mr.. Smith said a great
deal OF the opposition came from those
who had money interests in the Division
property owners and real estate men. He
also spoke OF the abnCrmally high rents
paid by lessees. Property which in other
parts OF the city would only rent for $50 or
$50 a month there would easily bring
from $3.50 10 Sl75 per month. He also
bada word to say ofthe Commissioners who,
he declared, While personally were good
men, did not seem to take sufficient
interest in the matter to act. This he
said, was a most deplorable condition
of affairs.
The Rev. George S. Luccock OF the
Metropolitan Presbyterian Church said
il was a sad state of affairs that confronted
the people OF this city. Not long ago, be
said, Congress enacted a la W aboishing
polygamy in Utah, but right within a
stones throw Of the place where this law
was passed all the worst element OF crime
and criminals find safe home.
NO LACK OF LAW.
1t is not the lack OF la w nor the want
of sentiment on the part OF society. 1t is
the fault Of those who have the execution
of the law in their power; they wink at it
and undertake to determine which laws
shall or shall not be enforced. He then took
up and successfully refuted the arguments
made in favor OF the Division al 'neceS-
Sary evil"
President Bruen read a letter from Hon.
John W. Foster regretting his inability
10 be present and address the meeting.
Also a letter from Hon. w. NJ. Kennedy,
ex-mayor OF Allegheny, Pa, which, in
part, says:
1T seems to ME very simple problem
to get rid Of dis0rderly houses. Under
our existing la ws we cannot recognize
such plac ces and the police department must
enforce the la ws. This ! insisted upon.
To put the whole thing in nutshell. the
police department can suppress this evil
il they wantt to. 1t is impossible for a house
to run any time if the police department
make up their minds to close them.'
EX-MAYOR WEIR'S VIEWS.
The following letter from Hon. A. H.
Weir, ex-mayor of Lincoln, Neb., was also
read:
l have long since grown weary OF the
twaddle about necessary evii'' and all
the accompanying drivel which usually
follows. The facts a re that the so-called
social eviI' is no more in my Judgment.
necessary evil than is any other crime
In the calendar. With officers who are
honest and willing to enforce the law
this evil, in so far as anything that can
| by any stretch of the imagination be
| called public, can be suppressed easier
than can burglary or sneak thieving, and
all men and women be made virtuous
In this city never attempted to accomplish
such result. public officer has to