The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-02
THE ANTI-cANTEEN LAW.
Attorney General GriGEs Replies 4"
CirculRr-Letter

cirCulaT-letter recently sent out under
the authority Of the National " c. T. L
has been the means Of small connection
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 ". g. T. L.
with headquarters at 2H North Capitol
Street
The document reached Attorney General
Griggs, and he has replied to IT, declaring
that the circular is a misst2tement Of facts
and intimsting that those responsible for
its circulation should take steps 10 qualify
the statements therein contained. The
circular-letter reads as follows.
Washington. January -. 1000
Ny Dear SIR: Believing thar you are interest
ed iu the enforcement of the "auti-5Ju,een law
which passed both houses Of the Fity-fuh Con
gress- resolved the signature of OBJ, President
aud became q statute law. bun by the WHOLLY ur-
precedented Interpretation Of the Attorney Cen
eral the law WAS uu.lihcd. ] take the liberty of
bringing the following facts TO your notice:
We advised by most excellent authority
that tongTe~~ should not Doe asked to- pass now
law relating Co this matter until one more earn
est and far-reaChiEg effort be- made with Pre-i-
n
the promise made in July last 90 O committee o.
representative men from different para. of the
country. who waited upon him. thar he would
take up the matter and carefully consider The
question, and that the law should be- enforced
according TO its real meaning" SIX months
have been allowed 10 pass and the fact that he
hes done nothing Is very strong evidence that le
cannot answer by any process Of reason the legal
brief upon the subject presented him hv the com
mittee.
The President has fun power to ask tho At
tOrney General 20 reconsider the question Of the
construction Of the law; also 90 take she opinion
OF other attorneys, or TO act regardless of the
Attorney Generals opinion.
We believe If sufficient pressure from the bet
ter class o. citizens from all over the country is
brought 10 bear upon the President We viii So
cure such an Interpretation as he viii follow,
and enforce he law according to lis meaning.
In view II this fact. ] am embroidered 90 ask
tina, YOU viii aid the cause Of righteouSnesS 10y
Addressing q brief letter 20 the President stat
ing the hope that he viii fulfill BIS promises
When writing the President please give your
fun title and address. Trusting this may meet
with your iUll approval and hearty cooperation.
and praying Gods blessing upon our efforts.
remain YOURS very respectfully a1l sincerely
MARGARET DYE ELLIS
Superintendent of legislation for rhr National
Wonans Christian Temperance Union.
The letter Of Attorney General Griggs to
Mrs Ellis. replying 10 the 'rcular reads.
January so. 1900
Madam: There has been forwarded 90 me a
copy Of an alleged circuiar-lettel sent out from
your Office and signed by YOU as superintendent
Of legislation for the National Nom2n's Christian
Temperance Union. with reference TO the social
Cd anti-cantccn law, in which you refer TO the
fact that in july last President Nc kAley slated
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 10 It's 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 10 ask
lie A+.c-r,-, Gcrcral 10 rncnnsider tie nnesiion