The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-28
RAINSFORD AFTER COMSTOCK.
ACCUSES HIM OF HOUNDING IDA
CRADDOCK TO SUICIDE.
The Clergyman and the Judges Apparently
Hold Differing Opinions As 10 the Moral
Quality Of Book 10 which the
United states Mails Are Not ODen.

The Rev. Dr. W S Rain-ford. rector Of
ST. Georges Protestant Episcopal Church,
has written a letter TO Anthony Comstock d.
secretary of the Society for the Suppression
Of Vice. scoring Mr.. Comstock for hound
ing Ida c. Craddock, who committed
suicide a week ago Friday after doing a
three months sentence for disseminating
obscene literature Miss Craddock was
arrested on March last by Comstock and
was convicted in the Special Sessions,
where the Justices announced that they
would not give her the longest sentence
that they might infict because doubt
had been raised as TO her sanity. After
serving the term in the penitentiary she
was to have been taken before the United
States Court in proceedings pending here,
but she killed herself
She was particularly insstent, when COM
batting allegations that she was doing an
immoral work by her writings in calling
attention to the fact that she had letter
Of approval from Dr. Ransford. After
her conviction in the Special Sessions DR..
Rainsford wrote letter to Mr. Comstock
that was not complimentary. and after the
suicide Of Miss Craddock DIR. Rainsford
wrote another letter to Mr.. Comstock say
ing that MIR. Comstock had bounded Miss
Craddock to death.
Mr.. Comstock and Agent Deering of the
Comstock society called at the residence
of DR.. Rainsford yesterday morning, but
DR.. Rainsford was out of town, they were
told, and probably wouldn't Toe back in
several days MIR. Constock went away.
saving that he would return anon. At his
Office Mr.. Comstock said 10 a SuNreporter:
Il shall not write TO Or. Rainsford in
regard 10 his letter. | went to call upon
him, taking with me copy of letter /
sent to Miss Craddock on Jan. 81 Last The
woman was convicted in 1900 III Chicago
and sent TO Jail for three months; then she
| went to Philado lphia and waS convicted OF
sending obscene matter through the nited
States mails. Sentence was suspended
and friends got her committed to SAM
tari,n, but she got out again, saying that
she had been tricked into the place. Then
She came here and began 10 send OUT copies
of The Wedding Night and circular
On Dec. 81 last she sent me copy of the
pamphlet and the circular and on the next
day | wrote this letter to her
am very clear your publication. The
Wedding Night. comes clearly within the
prohibit on Of the postal laws and of section
S of 'h@ Penal Code ct ,' s'aIS tendency
OF the matters set forth IN tho-c documents,
when brought into contact With the minds
OF IN" young and ineNI-ri"nced;
The complaints that have been sent TO
this Office ny mothers who have been TO your
lectures. describe them a. gross and very
Improper for young people.
You are not allowed in this state, either
verbally or by, printed matter, 10 d"hauch
the minds of tn. young, nor place ~ th"ir
hands matters which suggest lcWd ana ibid
nous Thoughts.
since YOU have written mo for my .opinion
| must not hesitate 10 give YOU what my
opinion and ConNlCtio ion l. concerning your