The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-29
BESIEGBD BY MRS. NATION.
New YOrk's Police Commissioner
Has an Exciting Visit.

| The Kansas Rcformer BIamcs Mr.
| Murphy, Who. In Turn. BInmes Gov
| ernor OdcII-Other Members of the
| NEW YORK Aug 2S-Mrs. Carrie Ma
ton, the Kansas saloon smasher. broke
| into New York today by way of the
| Pennsylvania Railroad ferry. which lands
| at the foot of West Twenty-third Street
She had come up from Baltimore to meet
| several dime museum men and theatrical
| managers who were anxious to get hei
| on exhibition. and reached Jersey city al
| o'clock in the morning. The first man.
| ager to capture her was Manager Fur
| long. Then man came In search OF
museum freaks. and finally Robert Grau
| escorted her to the Victoria Hotel and
hired a suite of rooms for her
| 1t was evident before long that Mrs
| Nation had no use for New York. She
| left town hurriedly and Unexpectedly,
| much to the disgust of the theatrical men,
| who believed they had her under contract
| to deliver lectures and do other things.
| During her short stay in town she sue
! ceeded in frightening Acting Mayor Gug-
genheimer. Police Commissioner Murphy,
| John l.. Sullivan, and old Mother" Nc
| Intyre. who runs grog shop over on
| Cherry Hill. When the acting mayor
| heard that Mrs. Nation was in town he
called Roundsman Kennel and said:
'Oiticer, IL that woman Nation appears,
don't let her in. l won't allow the may
| cr's office to be used for advertising pur-
poses "
| Mrs. Nation, however, wanted to see
| the real Mayor of New York and when
| she heard that Van Wyck was not in
| town she declared that she would not go
| 10 the mayors Office. But she did go to
| police headquarters. where she made
| Commissioner Murphy very uncomforta-
| BILE.
| Just as she left town she was asked
about her plans.
~ III, she said, hesitatingiy, as IL I'M
| decided as to her future ans, I'm go
| ing to take the train to Ohio l am go
| ing to College Corners. Ohio, where
intend to speak on Thursday night. l
| have left a note for Archbishop Corrigan.
| who is out of town at present. ! have
| written to him, telling him that l want
| to have I. :ittle talk with him. / suppose
| I'll get an answer to the note when l
get back to New York. Before / come
back I'm going to speak in three Ohio
towns. I'll probably be back Saturday
morning"
She took a Eastward train at 1 o'clock
MIS-. Nation when she had first reached
police Headquarters, asked to see Chief
DeNery- The deputy commissioner sent
out word that he was not in, and told the
attendant to take the lady up to see the
boss, meaning Police Commissioner Muir
ply.
After about five minutes wait she was
ushered into the commissioners private
office, where he sat at his desk with an
expression of painful expectancy. There
was an exchange of handshakes, cordial
on the part of Mrs. Nation and suspicious
on the part of Commissioner Murphy. She
sat close beside his desk and beamed al
him over her gold-rimmed spectacles in
the midst OF a portentous silence.
fellow travellers to the graye-you and l.
There's time a-coming when we've got
to give an account of our stewardship,
and We ought to do as little harm here
below as possible. And there's a great
responsibility resting on you. Do you
know it,
Colonel Murphy looked as though some
thing was resting heavily on him
Nv hat do you want to say to me ma
DAM he asked sharply
Well, replied Mrs. Nation. II want
you to discuss the bad condition of New
Mr. Murphy bristled
There is no bad condition. said he,
and | will discuss nothing"
You went discuss it?'
Il will not. If you have anything to
say, put II in writing and I'll read it.
He swung around toward his desk
pulling at his moustache.
You will not discuss the crime and
murder shops of this great city, cried
Mrs Nation. in despairing Amusement.
The commissioner faced her again. IF
L have any information to give you, I'll
answer one or two short questions.
Mrs. Nation moved nearer why don't
you shut thc saloons on Sunday" she
asked suddenly.
he
swered Mr.. Murphy very sharply.
1T $ yours. too said Mrs Nation, Sc
Verely. You have chance to do good
work BY their works ye shall know
Mr.. Murphy raised his forehnger and
shook it vigorously. Now stop it, he
cried. Don't quote scripture at me.
madam. Go back to Kansas and get il
of at your husband"
Mrs. Nation gave little laugh 81
have no husband" she said. very simply.
sell and plowed among the papers on his
Desk i m afraid said Mrs. Nation Z
very slowly. looking keenly at the com
missioner. I'm afraid that you are an
tasonistic to my ideas. Are you angry
because l wart these hell-hoies closed,
my fathermfor you're old enough to be
my father"
Colonel Murphy was aroused He sat
up suddenly and fiercely- "Oh, no
doubt" he remarked with fine sarcasm.
eyeing his questioner from head to foot
oh, of course -.-
Il know it," said Mrs. Nation. calmly.
m hfty-fye and I'll wager you're
eiShty-five If you're day. But there's
no shame in being old, my father"
The police commissioner afforded the
Joint-snasher the prospect Of the back
OF his head. Then. with his head still
turned: What do you want here, any
way! l have business to attend TO to-
Well" said Mrs Nation. 81 want to
exhort you to close the saloons on Sun
day-yes, and on Monday and all other
days. oh. the saloons, the places that
manufacture wine and ruin men and
break up homes, Why don't you close
them, you, an old. grey haired mani"
Once more the commissioner turned on
his inquisitor Il won't sit here and be
lectured. he roared. Your minds not
right. anyway.
You mean to say" enquired Mrs Ma
ton. that I'm crazy"
Il do was the very emphatic reply
The Kansas smasher took a long. deep
breath.
Well" she cried shrilly that's what
all the vicious. rum-soaked victims of
liquor In Kansas think. too. but they are
wrong. I've shown them things and I'm
going to show you, too"
Colanel Murphy wagged warning in
front of her nose. Let me tell you.
madam" said he threateningly. that If
you break a law III restrain and lock you
up: I'll fine you.
for moment parently with great pity
and then said iH a lower tone: You talk
about your law. Does your law protect
hell holes such as you have in this city?"
Sergeant" he cried. escort Mrs. Ma
ton out" The officer advanced with great
gallantry and Mrs. Nation perceived that
the interview was at an end. At the door
she turned upon the commissioner and
parting shot.
You're doing the devils dirty work.