New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-11
WOMEN REPLY TO COMSTOCK.
A COMMITTEE OF THE W. c. T. Z. EXECUTIVE
BOARD WRITES AN OPEN LETTER.

A committee representing the Executive Board
of the State Woman's Christian Temperance Union
last night sent the following letter 10 Anthony
Comstock:
Brooklyn. y. Y. Oct 10 1885
Anthony Comstock. President Of Society for the
Suppression of Vice.
Dear Sir: The Womans Christian Temperance
Union Of the State OF New-York has read your
letters addressed TO IL through the public press.
and the publicity which has thus been gwen 10
your charges ana statements makes It necessity.
much Is we deplore sucn necessity. that we give
equal publicity 10 our understanding OF the mat
There could be no greater misfortune TO the
cause Of humanity than Tor TWO organic liois;
working along sucn noble lines and with ii Tccoiu
Of such grand achievements. TO come INTO seen. :
ing collision. But deep conviction OF justice ,.h'
truth compels us TO say 10 you and 10 the pubiic
that we ana every one. OF our oIncers, nave been
absolutely innocent OF any at or word wnlch i'au
for It's aim or purpose ytnIus snort oil OF less
worthy than the best gOou u the peOpi, anu IN.
nacimsnt Of necessary laws to controi most
You have issued three letters. The first was sent
broadcast over the state last MaIcn, Tie svcoilu
WAS distributed In our annual convention during the
present week. the third was given simultaneously
10 the reporters and TO our corresponding secretary
Yesterday afternoon Inc hisl OF these ist1.rS' ~
ganization throughout the state. reached very
many who had never heard OF the propo'sd eg,si
know either you or our president ana had no klo"i
edge Of the matter involved And the only effect oi
the letter upon that large constituency was 70
create doubt and distrust and so block the way iof
the spread Of our work.
ter our Executive Committee. which held us
first meeting since September 1895. on Monday al
tefnoon Of this week. at which time the mater
vas brought up and discussed. and the resolution,
TO which you have taken exception In one OF your
letters, adopted. Representing the ExecuuNe
Committee dscaim any justice In your chaIse
that We were a tribunal in any wise. We did no'
condemn any person We had no power to 90 SO
We we're an organization of Christian women VINO
represented great principles. our leader had Dern
attacked In view Of the Enforcement OF the wOIh
Of the State Department of Purity in i-iteratu' :
and Art In our annual convention AT Rochester !, q
year ago and with a knowledge OF all ner elIoIts u,
this department where the collision with your so
ciety occurred smnle Justice demanded that W.
sustain her which We did. $40.
To your Two letters received subsequently. We
have no repl to make The record OF our orgs ia
ton for the past twenty-five years must DE our
!efuation Of all charges Of sefsecking. dishonesty
unorance and untruthfuness - - o,oI
We are an independent organization. ana s sna,
maintain our right TO protect our onicers ana ota''
superntendents from further attack from any
purce. Very truly yours
EMMA r. PETTENGILL.
President OF Kings County w c. T. u
President (;enesee County w. G. r. u;
ANNA GRANDIN BALDWIN,.
President Chnmune County W. Z. i. u
THFODOSIA NJ FOSTER.
President Crcida County W g r. "
ENEJJE TNDFRHILL BURGESS
President Ulster COUNT w g. -:
Committee OF Executive Board