Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-10-08
New York Journal.

WCnan-s Rescue League, who recently
established a branch in this city and
started in vigorously 10 prosecute the
work which she had planned in great
detail months in advance, has so lar
prOgre ssed in her work that a highly IN
teresting and startling report may soon
be expected.
Mrs. Smith believes that society can
be effectually ssfeguarded by iegitima-
thing the social evil ami restricting it
as regards TO territory. The bicycle
crusade, she AYERS, is only small side
issue
Mrs. Smith is in receipt Of great
mass of information beating upon the
subject, the testimony OF women who
have money interested in it as q COM
mercial enterprise, and this information
she intends TO us for the purpose OF in
fuencing legislation in this State. 1t
came 10 her in response to a circular
sent to keepers of resorts and others
who have a more or less intimate ac-
Quaintance with the dark side Of met
rOpO.itan life Seven hundred CT these
circulars lave been forwarded and.
strange enough, replies have been re-
ceived from nearly all Of them.
NO WARNING ON UNFORTUNATES.
The Rescue League is a branch of the
Woman's National Industrial League, Of
Washington, organized fifteen years
ago for the benefit Of wage-women. It
was formed in Boston in 1892 to aid
fallen women. These facts are set forth
in the circular, which continu $:
The Lea ne Is not making var upon
women of your class; We are trying TO
ameliOrate your condition in life. If you
are a necessary evil. society should pro-
tect you. and We are opposed to the
spirit of the professed Christians who
demand that you should either be i'm
pr.sonei. reformed ard embrace re,ig-
ion. or be wiped OFF the face Of the
earth. God created you and He alone Is
to judge your faults and failings, and
when you live within tile law of common
deCency we will try and cooperate with
you IN obtaining proper legislation so
that you may not be unjustly arrested
and imprisoned through spite or perse-
cution.
1t is then told that the league proposes
to erect hospitals and the keepers of re
sorts are urged to organize and create a
fund for the care of their women.
This fund is 10 be known as the Mag
dalen Pence" says the circular. You
must help each other to obtain the end
that you may all be licensed and legally
protected. You should have your own
rules and organizations. We will help
you all we can when you come within
the bounds OF law and common de-
cency."
The queries are as TO how long the
prCprietress has been following her bust
ness; the number of inmates during that
time; whence recruits come; whether
large cities or towns furnish the largest
quota; causes that influence girls to be-
come outcasts; the percentage that
claims to have early religious training;
nationality that furnishes the largest
number; as to their education; number
who have married; those VINO have re-
formed; what percentage have others
dependent upon them for support; the
average life of the unreclaimed, and the
thirteenth and last question is:
Have you any suggestion to make
for the betterment OF the condition Of
women of this class?"
And Mrs. Smith has received many
suggestions which, coming from the
source they do, have an especial value.
"The information l am collecting"
said she last night will be a nightly en-
CINE by which we shall silence all
abuse. | never was more in earnest in
all my life. and l am bending every en-
ergy to the task that | consider most
human. People have approached it with
too much prudery II is a fact all too
plain. and the only way 10 60 al Il IS TO
do so squarely and thoroughly. II IS
something YOU cannO, remedy with
tracts. Actual work and legislation are
needed. Abuse won't deter me. I have
been roasted. boiled and stewed.' but
am an the more mistaken in my pur-
pose.
Il am not Parkhurs,ing for my war
A. nO- agains. these women. Parkhurs1
used the wretched creatures and drop
ned them Ike hot cakes when be attain
"a his aim against Tammany. he had
tho power OF the churches az his back,
and what has he accomplished? He is
heartlcss and cruel 20 drive the wretch
Cd women from house to house. and with
what ro7ult2 The rich can bar their
doors against them. but the poorer folk
who live In apartment houses cannot.
This Is q story Of nearly every day his
tory. as every one knows who reads
thc newspapers
u have nearly completed my book.
The Scarlet Letter Woman Of Boston,
which tells many unpleasant truths con-
corning the affiliations and the doubl9
lives Of persons In high places, Senators.
Representative. judges. lawyers. bust
ness men. and even preachers. l shall
publish a similar work concerning the
work and Investigations Of the League
In this city My experience has been
such that 1 have a great insight into the
seamy side Of life. and have accepted
much as a matter Of course and due TO
certain conditions, but must say thaS
some of the revelations that have come
TO me In this city have shocked me be-
yOnd expression.
And these women need protection
for the protection of society. l esti-
mate there are 100000 of them in New
York. There are probably as many
more who are not confirmed offenders.
But the great body of delinquents l may
say are business women. There is $780,
600 900 in the business in New York.
which emulate in commerce with land
lords. cabmen, restaurants, theatres. dry
goods dealers, milliners etc.-au repre-
sented in catering to the landladies and
their tenants. That is stupendous, iSn'4
1t? But It is true. every word of it.
"In Boston there was formed trust
composed Of these principal women. 1t