New-York tribune., 1915-09-22
COMSTOCK, FOE
OF VICE, DIES
AFTER RELAPSE
Fighting Attack of Pneu-
mOnia When a Sudden
Change Brings Death.
WIFE AND DAUGHTER
WITH HIM AT END
Noted for Years for His Cru
sades Against immortality
Leader in Suppression Society.


Leader in Suppression Society.
Summit, n. j., Sept. o. Anthony
Comstock. secretary Of the New York
Society for the Suppression of Vice,
died tonight at his home here. Only
his wife and daughter were present.
Mr. Coms,ock was seized with inter
mittent fever while on hIs vacation
ten days ago, which later developed
into Pneumonia For the last two or
three days he appeared weaker, but
Yesterday he was strong enough 70
dictate to stenographer notes on
matters pertaining to the society. He
failed rapidly to-day. and died at s:l5.
Mr.. Comstoc!: was born at New Ca
raan Conn, or March :. 1914, the son
of Thomas A. and Polly lockwood
Comstock. lie vas educated at
Wyckof's Academy, at New Canaan, and
a the New Britain High School Soon
after he left the latter institution he
was bereaved in the death Of his broth
er at the battl: Of Gettysburg, and at
once he volunteered to fill the vacant
place in the ranks. lie fought through
the rest of the war, and then came to
New York to earn a living. He became
a drygoods salesman in the employ of
Cochrane, Mclean & Co., then on the
lower part of Broadway, and while in
that occupation received an impetus
toward what soon became his life work
His Indignation and disgust were
reused at sight OF an obscene book
which was passing from hand to hand
among his fellow clerks. Learning from
one of them where il had been pro-
cured, from a dealer in Centre Street.
he summoned policeman and went
thither. The policeman tried to warn
the dealer that Mr. Comstock was likely
TO make trouble for him and in conse-
quence was himself made the subject
OF complaint.
That was on March 2. 1872. Within
twentv-four hours Mr.. Comstock made
seven arrests Of purveyOrs OF hlthy
books and pictures. But that was a
small beginning New York at that time
reeked with pornography. In shops and
at pushcarts on the streets obscene
books and pictures could be purchased
almost as freely as roasted chestnuts,
and some Of the leading periodicals
printed advertisements of the most IN
decent character The postoihce was
Lsed as an agency of debauchery, post
- /.
emploved to provide lists of young peO-
pie TO whom vile prints might be sent.
MIR. Comstock resolved 70 devote his
l,fe to the suppression Of this devils
traffic. In this he was backed by Nor
ris X. Jesup. who gave him money for
the prosecution of the work Within
three months from those first arrests
Mr.. Comstock seized and destroyed
more than 100000 worth Of obscene
books and pictures and ten tons OF
stereotype plates from which such stun
was printed.
This put the corrUptlonists "on the
run" Also il reused decent men and
women to rally - Mr. Comstock's aid
ard TO enable him to continue hls ~-at
task. On May Is, 1873. the New York
Society for the Suppression Of wee
was formed by Morris K. Jesup, Will
lam +. Dodge, J. Pierpont Morgan, How
ard Potter and many other men OF Ike
standing, and Nr Comstock was made
its special agent Then the work for
decency began in earnest. Within the
first third of century more than 3,fOO
arrests were made and about 1000 con-
yictions were secured. More than nifty
tons Of obscene material and many tons
% gambling tools were seized and de-
stroyed. Anon these were millions OF
lottery tickets, "greengoods' circulars,
etc. for the war was on against frauds
and gambling as well as against moral
filth. The terms of Imprisonment i'm
posed upon criminals aggregated more
;han 566 years. Hundreds of policy and
pool shops were raided and scores or
lotteries were suppressed. II was Mr.
Comstock who began and pusned the
long but finally triumphant hght
against the notorious louisiana Lottery
Company. q,
Seeing how fauch the postofice had
been prostitutes 70 base uses, there was
tine Justice in Mr.. Comstock's employ
ing il as a powerful agency for reform.
In March. 1873. the so-called "Comstock
law" was enacted by Congress, and Mr..
Comstock became an inspector IN the
postal service. In that place he put a
stop TO the dissemination of obscene
matter through the mails, and a so TO
the circulation of lottery tickets, fraud
ulent advertisements, etc. The present
Efficient system Of investigating and
checking fraudulent transactions
through the mails must be credited
chiefly 70 him.
Mr. Comstoch was frequently made
the target of pther attacks, not upon
his place or his reputation. but his LIE.
For the greater part of his life he bore
upon his face a monstrous scar made
with a knife by q despe ate criminal.
He made manc mistakes. some OF then
bringing upon him ridicule and censur2
and causing his friends regret. H.
friends felt that they were all honestl
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