The evening times., 1900-02-02
THE ANTI-CANTEEN LAW.
Attorney General GriGgs Replies Z" n
Circuiar-Ietter,

| A circular-letter recently sent out under
| the authority of the National W. c. T. L.
| has been the means OF small commOtion
in the Office of the Attorney General of
| the United States The letter in question
bears the signature of Mrs. Margaret Dye
| Ellis, Superintendent of the Department
| of Legislation. of the National W. c. T. L..
| with headquarters at 241 North Capitol
Street.
The document reached Attorney General
Griggs, and he has replied to it. declaring
that the circular is misstatement OF facts
and intimating that those responsible for
its circulation should take steps to qualify
the statements therein contained The
circular-letter reads as follows;
Washington January 10. 1880
Ny Dear Sir: Believing that You are interest
ed in the enforcement Of the 'anti-canteen law
which passed both houses of the Fifty-ffrh Con
gress, received the signature OF the President
and became statute law, but by The wholly un-
precedented Interpretation Of the Attorney Gen
eral the law nullified. | take the liberty OF
bringing the following facts to your notice:
We are advised by most excellent authority
that Congress should not be asked to pass a new
law relating to this matter until one more earn
est and faT-TeachiEg effort be made with Presi-
dent Mckinley, in the hope that he will fulhll
the promise made in July last to a committee Of
representative men from different parts Of the
country. who waited upon him. that he would
take up the matter and carefully consider the
question, and that the law should he enforced
according to its real meaning" Six months
have been allowed 10 pass, and the fact that he
has done nothing Is very strong evidence that lie
cannot answer by any process of reason the legal
brief upon the subject presented him hv the com
mittee.
torney General TO reconsider the question of the
construction of the law also 10 take the opinion
OF other attorneys, or to act regardless Of the
Attorney Generals opinion.
We believe if sufficient pressure from the bet
ter class Of citizens from all the country is
brought to bear upon the President will Sc
cure such an Interpretation ne will follow,
and enforce the law according to its meaning.
In view Of this fact. ] am emboldencd TO ask
that you will aid the cause of righteousness by
addressing a brief letter to the President stat,
ing the hope that he will fulfill his promises
When writing the President please give your
full title and address. Trusting tins may meet
with your full approval and hearty cooperation.
and praying Gods blessing upon our efforts
I remain yours. very respectfully and sincerely. !
MARGARET DYE ELLIS.
Superintendent of Legislation for the National |
Womans Christian Temperance Union.
The letter of Attorney General Griggs to |
Mrs. Ellis replying TO the circular reads: |
January so, 1900. |
Madam: There has been forwarded TO me a |
copy of an alleged circular-letter sent out from /
your Office and signed by you as superintendent /
of legislation for the National Womans Christian /
Temperance Union with reference to the so-call- I
ed anti-cantecn law, in which you refer to the !
fact that in July last President Mckinley stated !
to a committee who waited upon him upon this /
subject that he ''would take up the matter and |
carefully consider the question: and that the law /
should be enforced according TO its real mean
ing"
You stated in your circular that six months |
have been allowed to pass, and that he has done
nothing: that the President has full power to ask
the Attorney General to reconsider the question !