New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-03
PESSIMISTIC VIEWS AIRED.
MEMBERS OF THE S. F. S. CALMLY SAY
WHAT THEY THINK.

| FACTS ARE FACTS" DECLARED MISS MARIE
HAMMlL IN HER PAPER on CURRENT
EVENTS land WHY SHOULD
THEY BE IGNoREDg'
The Society for Political Study returned yester-
day after Its short arbitration depression. TO it,
regular studies in the political history OF tho States
The subject was Vermont" and the paper was
read by Mrs Sarah A. MofTat. Mrs. Moffat gave
most prominence to the valor OF the Green Noun
tain Boys" and In this connection paid high trb
ute 10 the virtues and bravery OF Ethan Allen
The paper on current events was read by Miss
Marie Hammil. and presented n most pessmistic
view Of the present condition Of the country Facts
facts, Miss HaTnm!l said, and she could not see
that 1t did any good 10 Ignore them.
In spite OF our boastcd laws and civilization.
she said, we have more murders annually than
any other civilized nation 1852 Is the record for
1885, while $50 suicides were committed during the
same length OF time"
Miss Hammil then spoke OF the overplus of desert
Ing husbands In the country and attributed this and
kindred evils 10 the common law method OF entering
the marriage relation and the lack OF uniformity
In the laws regulating the matter In the different
States. The recent defeat Of woman suffrage in
Oklahoma. she added. was n most honorable one. as
1t attributed the belief that women would. II
they had the power wipe out the infamous divorce
laws In force there. and make the place III for re-
spectacle families TO live In. She also commended
the work Of Mrs. Granns In trying to secure lees-
ation that would punish violations Of the Seventh
Commandment.
In conclusion. Miss Hamnil alluded to the recent
woman's mass-meetiag IN Carnegie Hail. and re-
GREETED that greater interest in Il had not been
manifested. She thought all taxpayng women
should organize and demand that men shall not
monopollze all paying positions
The papers discussed b. Mrs Lille Dew
Blake. Mrs Jennie De La NJ LozIcr. Or.
Tilf lll Mrc Pot Nfrs uoip Pa
Antoinet,e Brown Blackwell. Mrs. Maria Mccul-
Tough and Mrs Anna jackson
Mrs. Blake stated that delegation of police ma
irons had waited on her that morning asking that
their case be kept in mind in the Fight TO be made
for equal pay for equal work In the city Offices At
present they receive only $3.50. while the dOormcn
get 1900
man, saying that considering the revolving work no
had to do-cleaning out the cells after most repul-
sive occupants, and doing much other drudgery-
his pay none too large.
Mrs. Lozier spoke OF women in the hospitals and
at least he provided for the examination and care
Of insane women.
In Indiana. with most beneficial results With some
such patients it was a part OF their madness that
male physician attempted to examine or treat
them they often had 70 be strapped down. Simply
by tho removal Of this cause Of irritation she said
most wonderful cures had been effected.
DR.. Hudah Gum thought that suicide was caused
y.
why a. man had not right to take his own life.
She thought also that, If the right could be safe
guarded IT, any way that II would not be abused,
physician ought to be allowed to help his patient
to die. Her pa TENTS had often begged TO be allowed
die and she could object in prolonglng
their pain, particularly Il considered legti-
malo 20 keep them br means of anfesthetics in a
state that cannot be called life.
DR.. Dunn could not agree with Miss Hammi IN
regard TO Mrs Granns. for she thought II impossi-
BILE TO legisate people into virtue. She thought,
moreover, that divorce should be made as easy as
possible. IL positively immoral to keep
people together who disliked each other. and most
injurious to The children.
Miss IIGmmil said that violations OF the Eighth
Commandment would be much more numerous than
they If there We're penalty attached to them.
and If this true In the case Of enc command
ment she could rot why 1t should not he so In
another.
In connection with Miss IIamms suggestion re-
garding taXpayng womer. Mrs Blake said that
every woman who paid taxes ought to do so under
protest. She even thought that the moral effect
would be beneficial II they refused TO pay at all,
after the manner Of the Smith sisters, Of Gaston-
bury. Conn, who allowed their cows TO be sold reg
ulary every year by the Sheriff. rather than he a
party 10 the inlquty of paying taxes 10 support a
government In which they were not represented.