The Washington herald., 1915-10-10

foes. he promptly set out to vanqulsn
them. and made seven arrests on the
second day He bought obscene books
and pictures. for evidence, from shops
and push carts, and even from stand
set up on the steps of the Old Dutch
church in Fulton street.
Anthony had little help at first. The
district attorneys Office and the courts
lost no opportunity to interfere with his
work by raising various legal technicali-
ties He had to fight lack of money,
also. His own resources were exhausted
at the end of few days. Finally Morris
K. Jesup came to his aid with $3.50, and
from that day the reformer possessed q
definite place in the world. He was
to protect the minds of the young from
the degrading influence of immoral
books, pictures and other indecent prod
uctS of the many workshops from
which prurient-minded men and women
were sowing the seeds of vice and de-
generacy.
With strength in every movement Of
his body. and determination in every line
of his face, the power that has nodded
his life seemed suggested in his thin lips
pressed firmly together. A sort OF bull
dog quality. it seemed, the type that
gives the courage to combat com btna-
tl0nS IndL Ordinary men nave Detu
afraid to tackle He was heavy of fig
urc; heavy of nose. jaws. cheeks and set
ting Of eyes The weight all seemed
emphasized by a heavy mustache and
"mutton chop whiskers. His eyes were
pale blue and earnest. direct as steel
points
And for more than quarter Of CEN
fury the brains. wealth and energies OF
all the criminal classes were enlisted
against him. When he began the fight
on gambling. the Louisiana lottery
Gan~lod the brihe of "independence for
lfrc" before him. practically allowing
him 10 name the conditions under which
he would lnt them alone. Finding he
was composed Of some kind of invulner-
HE material. they put detectives on his
track hoping 20 discover a skeleton In
his closet He helped the detectives,
and they gave mp the hunt.
II is estimated that during his career
Mr. ComstoCk has destroyed more than
fifty tons Of obscene books, $4,000
pOruds of stcreotyDed plates for print
ing such books. about 100000 objec-
ti0rahle pictures and about 1900 mega
tives. In his private Office is a large
chest large as full-sized couch. II Is
known as the "sarcophagus." for II con-
tains the record Of the work performed
hy the society during the twenty years
that il took to drive the green goods
syndicate out of business.
Mr.. Comstock. 1t is said, was RESPONSE
BILE for the arrest of more than 1000
persons, of which 2.740 either pleaded
guilty or were convicted. In th ;se cases
fines we're imposed to the extent Of
s237,1S4.30 and imprisonment to the
total of $50 years.
When Congress enacted the law pro-
hibting the sending of obscene matter
through the mails Mr.. Comstock was ap-
pointed to the Office OF postofice in
spector. to be paid for his services like
any other regularly appointed inspector.
Excuse me. Mr.. President" he re-
piled to the appointment. II do not de
sire any pay for my services All
want is the authority to act for the
government in these matters. and want
to keep the position as long as | live. II
there is salary attached to II every poll
tician will try to take IL away from me,
whereas. If it is position without pay
may be able to keep It regardless OF
changes in administration"
Mr.. Comstork had his way. II was
only a little more than year ago that
the postofice department hung salary
of $1,000 year on the job and de-
termined effort was made at Washington
to revoke his commission Friends be-
lieye these attacks led to his III health.
Mr.. comStock hss bsen criticised tar