Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-04
WILL STIR THE CITY,
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| it was a move instigated by the ministers
| of the gospel. He had, he said. taken no
part in the initiative in this great move
ment. but wanted it to spring from the
solid business men Of the city, just as
it had done.
.The police force" DR. Hawthorne went
on. "aided by some patriotic citlzens'
have uncovered a state Of things in the
city that is alarming and we have reason
to believe that what has been shown is
only a part of that which is yet to be
uncovered" He thought that monstrous
evils were abroad in the city, that were
| working against the peace and happiness
of hundreds of homes Of the best families
Of the city. He asked how many homes
in the city had been robbed of their hap
piness by these evil influences.
Il might tell of numerous heart-rendlng
events in homes that have been ruined,
in which my help has been invoked, he
said. He showed that he believed that
every body knew in one way or another OF
the existence of gambling in the city and
to the extent that young men had been
ruined by it.
The speaker said that he was gratded
by the action Of the civil authorities III
closing up these places, and trusted that
they would remain closed. Il am not
sure, lie shouted. that all of them have
been closed Some even many. believe
that there are still others open now.
Another Evil.
Leaving the gambling houses, the doctor
.ouched upon the existence Of many houses
of ll-repute in the city. Along this line.
he said: another fact. and one that is
well-known to the police, is the existence
of more than 100 houses of ill-fame in the
city not only houses of common prostitr'
ton in the lower districts. but many places
of designation in the residential section,
which young men and married men ire
qucnt." He charged that these facts were
known both to the public and to the police
force. claiming that no one would deny
the assertion. He said that these are facts
that appeal to every virtue of every pa
triotic citizen. These places exist con-
trary to the law" he argued and then
asked care we to confess that we are
unable to administer the laws; that we
have city government that cannot COM
pass these evils. and that they must ex-
ist?" Answering his question, he said
that experience shows that we have clos
ed the gambling houses, and that all other
law should and could be closed.
DR.. Hawthorne said he had not seen
these things himself, and could not swear
to them personally, but he had heard
great deal of talk from men who did
know. and the police themselves do not
deny the fact of their existence, and he
said he supposed that the Board of Po-
lice Commissioners knew. but that they
we're waiting for a strong public senti-
mo ont ac ha ynpat-
ing being held would help to create. He
favored a great mass meeting, in which
all of these facts could be brought out
and wake up the people as they had
never been before. When DR.. Hawthorne
took his seat it was evident that he had
created a sensation among his auditors.
His talk started the meeting right.
AT NintI, and BroaG.
The next speaker was Mr.. G. NJ. Smith
DEAL the head of the business college by
that name, locat ted at the corner Of Ninth,
and Broad streets. Mr., Smithdeal said
that it was not necessary to go into
places to "see things" because they
could be seen on the streets Of the city.
He pointed out the condition of affairs
around his school building, both on the
alley near the buildings. well as on
the streets. He declared that he had
gone to the police for relief. and that
he had been told that he must get evil
dence and then the police would make
arrests.
DR.. ]. N. UDshur said that he was
very glad that something had been done
to arouse interest in the great questions
that need solution for the good Of the
city. He told of disgraceful conditions
that prevail in the vicinity of nice homes
on Franklin and Grace streets. and of no.
torious evils that go on day after day.
City officials Afraid.
DR.. Upshur claimed that what was
needed was a public sentiment from the
decent men of the community that would
stir the city officials to action. He said
that there was plenty of evidence. and
added that it was unfortunate that the
politicians in the city government are
afraid to vote. His next thrust was the
assertion that there was plenty Of evil
dence for the Police Department and the
other officials Of the city. if they were
not afraid OF the dear voter This.
statement called forth the first applause
Of the evening, and when the speaker
closed and sat down his effort was loud
" applauded.
Secretary S. K. Mckee Of the Young
Mems Christian Association. when callde
upon, said that he had come to the meet
ing to listen, but that he wanted to give
expression to the thought that the good
people Of the city had been aiming too
long. and now it was time to fire. Do
something to crush out the evils that all
know exist by putting men in Office who
would do their duty, il those now In the
government would not.
s. DR.. r. A. Goodwin said that he had
heard some complain a bout a place Of iii
srepute. and that afterwards he had In
#quired and was told that it had been
moved. IF Re had asked. whence. and was