The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-08
Club Women of Topeka Want
Assistant Attorney General.
Some One Wanted Who WIN En-
force the Law.
DISCUSS THE SITUATION
Mrs. Margaret Hill McCarter
Makes an Address.
Rev. Charles VI. Sheldon Reads
Stories.

The Federated clubs of Topeka will
ask that Attorney General GODDARD ap-
point an assistant attorney general FOR
Shawnee county to close the joints.
The most notable meeting in the his
tory of the Federation was held Thurs
day afternoon at Unity church, when
the entire body of representative wo-
men of the city took a decided stand
for the enforcement of law and the
bringing of the officers to time.
The turn affairs took was as suddaa
as it was unexpected, and was due to
short story read by Rev Charles NJ.
Sheldon. Mr.. Sheldon read three short
stories, with brief comments on eacz.:
the stories themselves seemed to have
no apparent moral suitable for the occa-
sion. but when he discussed them in a
quiet but forcible manner he pointed out
very plainly the many ways in which
body Of energetic women like the one
before him might do much for the bet
terment of humanity.
The third story read was the climax,
and the one which in a few moments
transformed the quiet meeting into an
enthusiastic temperance rally. The story
was entitled ..The Devils Elbow and
was about a minister who took his fam
lily and left his luxurious home in an
his residence in one of the vilest locali-
ties of the town known as The Devils
Elbow. The minister had come to the
conclusion that the only way to reform
the people of the Elbow was by per-
sonal help, SO for ten years he labored
there with but little result. One night
as he sat in his study the devil appear
ed TO hin, nCcklng him for his failure;
he told him that that territory belonged
to him and that the minister was fool.
ish to think that he was strong enough
to overthrow him. He showed him clip
pings from the newspapers of the world
for one week telling of the crimes COM
mitted, for which liquor was directly
responsible; the clippings entirely lined
the wall of the minister's study. He
then showed him the liquor advertise
ments clipped from a weeks file Of pa
pers and they twice covered the walls.
The minister's head sank on the table
ana the morning papers said that he
died of heart failure.
In his comments Mr.. Sheldon said:
The local agitation Topeka is undergo
ing today must be taken at its true
worth for it is an indication of the great
battle that is imminent. The question
at issue is the one of the century, and
not live to see it decided The battle is
to be worldwide one and is to be
brought about by the women"
Mr.. Sheldon cited several instances
where the efforts of the women had set
tied great questions at issue; he sug-
gested that the women Of the Federated
clubs appeal to the attorney general oe
Kansas to enforce the prohibftory laws
Before the applause had died away
number of women were asking for rec
ognition from the chair.
Mrs. Margaret Hill McCarter who is
one of the enthusiastic workers ir.rffe
Woman's league, made a stirring ad-
dress in which she urged every woman
present to give her personal attention
and help to the question which is agi-
tating our city, and to leave no stone
81 IN fI,0
sale of liquor, which is running the sons
and daughters of Topeka and breaking
up innumerabIe homes.
In speaking OF the state of affairs in
Topeka. Mrs. AcCarter said: sgThe name
Of Rev. c. M. Sheldon is known all over
the world, and if one should ask Who is
the greatest man in Eansas2 the answer
would be Rev. c. NJ. Sheldon, but in To-
pelxa Crook Wright is a greater man
than Mr. Sheldon
Mrs. McCarter expressed the senti-
ments of most of the audience. and when
she closed she was greeted by a storm
Of applause.
Others who spoke were Mrs T. F.
Carver, Mrs. L. B. Hamrick, and Mrs.
d. W. Nellis. 1t was moved and sec
onded that a committee be appointed to
draw up resolutions voicing the senti-
ment of the Federation in regard to the
enforcement Of law and order and to
prepare petitions to be presented to the
attorney general asking for the appoint
ment Of an assistant attorney general
for Shawnee county. The committee aD-
pointed by the president was composed
Of Mrs. MeCarter, Mrs. Carver, and
Mrs. Hanlrick
There were two musical numbers,
which were much enjoyed: Mrs. William
Ma acferran. Of the Ladies' Music club
played z piano solo, and the Ladies'
Music club quartette, which is composed
of Mrs Frank Thomas Mrs. L S. Ferry
Mrs. Frank Foster and Miss Lescher,
sang.
There were many distinguished guests
present at the meeting, and an informal
social hour closed the afternoon. The
principal topic discussed the entire time
was that of temperance.
Occupying seats on the platform were
Rev. c. NJ Sheldon, the speaker of the
afternoon; Mrs Mary Vance Humphrey,
president Of the State Federation, Mrs.
A. H Thompson, president OF the City
Federation; Mrs. w. E. Stanley, Mrs &C.
NJ Sheldon, and Dr. Mary z. Stewart.
The Portia club was the hostess club
each club assisted the reception COM
rnfttee The church was very prettily
decorated for the occasion Overhead
ropes of evergreen crossed the room
from corner to corner and were woven
into the griIlwork across the front of
was a jar Of exquisite Portia pinks.
while the graceful drapery and bit of
statuary on the piano added a pretty
f1one-liIxe touch. Each member of the
Portia club wore one Of its club bios
SONS and when the refreshments were
The refreshments consisted of Waldorf
salad. cheese waters and coffee.
The wives of the state officers and the
legislators were guests of the afternoon,
while a number of ladies from out of
town came to Topeka for the express
off @f-4r-