The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-19
MRS. NATIONS SPEECH.
Makes a Talk Before the Los
Angeles Council.

Los Angeles, Feb. 19.-Mrs. Carrie Ma.
ton, accompanied by a delegation of
twenty or twenty-five members of the
Womens Christian Temperance union.
headed by Mrs. Hester T. Griffith, was
accorded a hearing by the city cOunci1
this morning in respect to the enforce
ment of the laws affecting social purity
and the publication of the red light
district.
I'VE came before you several weeks
ago and submitted a petition asking
that the conditions of Alameda street
be changed said Mrs. Griffith "Sinc4.
then we have net heard of any ac-
ton being taken, and we come before
you today to ask if anything has been
doSe.
When passing out Of the council
chamber after addressing you before
continued Mrs. Griffith. Il heard a re-
mark repeated often since then. thai
the conditions on Alameda street are
necessity The statement is an in
suit to womanhood and to society. Il
is in your power to suppress such vile
ness, and you ought to do so
If social imDurity is a necessity we
should worship fallen women. who
stand in our place and protect US
! from violence 1t is asked what is to
be done with these women. ana glad
to say door of hope has been opened
in this city and they will be cared for
by us
IF your wives or daughters were
among them you would find way by
winch to reach them. and it can be
done The power is in your hands and
you should exercise it.
President Bowen said the council had
taken up the petition previously pre-
scented and had considered it carefully
He said if any solution of the problem
could be presented the council would
be glad to hear it. I'VE recognize the
condition in the city and would be
glad to find a remedy" he added.
SerSea nt-af Goodwin then in
formed the president that Mrs. Nation
was present and desired to be heard
With that Introduction the famous
SnasheF' advanced from the group of
women seated inside the rail- and max
ing her way to the side Of the score
tary's desk she squared herself around
and began.
i do not live here" said Mrs. Ma
ton, but as a representative woman
L esDouse the cause of women every
where have been around a great
deal. but never have seen such moral
degradation as is displayed in Los An
geles.
Last week was arrested on a
charge of violating a city ordinance. I
told the chief of police that I was glad
to be informed of my dereliction for
I am a law-abiding citizen and WOULD
prefer to pay a fine for unintentionaI
Violations than TO stand as a seeming
opponent of proper municipal legisla~
L told the chief. however. that there
were other ordinances that should be
enforced. and asked him why he did
not enforce those relating to social
purity. He said. Because [ don't want
to-
What do you think of a chief like
that2 He was sworn to enforce the
law and openly declares that the rea-
son he don't do so is he don't want to.
It is disgrace that a public official
should make such an admission. 1t IS
a disgrace that such immortality is per-
mitted to exist
The law says such things are not
necessary and ought to be abolished.
He says they are necessary and win
not enforce the law by abolishing
tcem. Such an officer is disgrace to
C5t--
If you drag down these women you
drag down your wives and daughters.
Instead Of teaching men to hold down
their own bodies YOU allow them to
crafty their lusts and educate them to
such qualification. thus endangering
wonlanhood. OF course these things
are fostered by the whisky habit. which
I desDise on account of its degrading
influences. I believe that it all 1 wish
to say. but [ hope you will find some
way to suppress this gross immor-
atty"