The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1899-10-23
BoHEMIANs AND SUICIDE.
A Vigorous Protest Made Against
Recent Charges.

BALTIMORE, Nd, Oct 23.-Baltimore
Bchemians yesterday held a meeting to
protest against charges made against their
race that one-third Of the deaths are by
suicide. About 100 persons were present
at Shimeiis Bohemia Hall, North Broad
way, where the meeting was held, repre-
senting Bohemian societies and including
about dozen women.
At one time it looked as If the meeting
would result in a debate between the free
thinkers and those rligiolsly inclind, but
this was averted. Speakers for both sides
contended that Bohemians had been SLAM
dered and that they were iaw-abidng citi-
zens, respecting the laws of the country
and eager to live as long as possible. Jo-
seph Hajek and Rev. Vaclav Vanek were
the principal speakers.
Resolutions were unanimously adopted
as follows:
Whereas statements have beer made in the
public press OF our country by society
which calls itself the Bohemian Brotherhood of
America, in which declarations made that
are calculated to arouse indignation among and
iniure the Bohemian population, not only OF
Baltimore, but Of the whole United States, in
the estimation and good viii of all tescenis and
are that one-third OF the deaths amcng Bo-
heminas by suicide, and that this state OF
affairs is caused by widely spread spirit OF
inhdelity among people of Bohemian parentage
and descent
The statements are so Inanifestly incorrect
and so maliciously untrue that the Bohetnians
OF Baltimore here assembled in mass meeting,
eaiSiI u inczlient upon them to deny in toto
all OF these charges and put their seal of
condemnation upon them an insult TO law
abiding and loyal portion of population.
afx-..g -. .l-.Ta..
so-called Bohemian Brotherhood OF America in
regard 10 the percentage Of suicides and infidel-
ity among Bohemians is unwarranted by fact
unworthy OF belief, is calculated to do our
people much harm and should have our heaftiest
and seperest condemnation.
Statistics show clearly and plainly that in
oW own city and also throughout the United
States. the percentage of suicides among Be-
hemlans Is not large as among descendants
of other natioualitcs.
That 50 far regards the question of III
fidelity : concerns the race compared with
other natlonalitieS, positively and eInphati-
cally claim that not different from 9TH
ers, not even excepting those of American par
eniagc and birth America has had its cham
pion OF free thinking in the person and fame
OF Robert c. Ingersoll; France has had her
Soitaire: England her Tom Paine and other
nations, have all had those who have been free.
thinkers. and therefore the Bohemians of Balti-
more think II the height Of injustice that they
should be singled out for venomous and bit
ter attack. The sentiment of this meeting, IS
further recorded, is that in the city of Balti-
more the BohemianS maintain one Of the largest
churches in the city and also sustain large
Presbyterian and Methodist congregations These
things are coupled with the fact that Bohemians
nearly 800 years ago engaged in q religious war
which lasted for thirty years in defense Of their
convictions, which showed that Boehemians had
the courage 70 fight for their religious convic-
tions although it took a generation for them
TO DO So This should efectually dispose of the
question as TO whether the Bohemians are re-
isioUs people not.
ofhceTs Of the meeting were as follows:
Chairman. Charles A. Masopust; secreta-
ry. Frank Ruzicka: committee on resolu-
lions. ]. Franc. Anton Safranek. John
Benda. Vaclav Neuman, Joseph Sticka. Jo-
seDh XaYrina