The Washington times., 1915-09-06
To FIGHT IN COURT
FOR BIRTH CONTROL
Sanger, the Artist, Ready to
Meet Comstock's Efforts to
Suppress Discussion.

When William Sanger. artist and
| architect. of 277 West Eleventh street,
comes into the court OF special sessions
on Friday next to plead 20 a charge Of
circulating obscene literature. his case
promises to rouse the interest Of those
who advocate free dkcussion Of birth
control. Although arrested in January.
Mr.. Sanger has fought In two courts for
trial by Jury. He has lost, and yes.
terday It was said that he will plead
his own case when brought to trial.
The pamphlet which Mr. Sanger Is ac-
cused Of circulating was ono on Family
Limitation" written by his wife. Mar
garet Sanger. who Is a trained nurse
and who has lectured and worked for
the right of the mother to control birth.
She is well known here. whepe she has
appeared on the public platform to ad-
vocate the things in which che believes.
dicted for sending through the mails n
monthly publication. The Woman Rebel
dedicated to the emancipation of
womankind and acknowledging mo
Gods or Masters" After her Indictment
band asserts that the prosecution OF
himself by Anthony Comstock Is an at
tempt to force him to tell the where
abouts Of his wife.
Wife Wrote Pamphlet.
Mr.. Sanger said his wife wrote and
distributed tho pamphlet on family
Limitations while he was abroad.
When he returned to this country and
his wife departed with their three
children. she loft at his office at least
one copy Of the circular. and this is
the one that got him into his present
trouble.
His story is that about the frst OF
upon him. representing himself to be
a Mr.. Heller. r friend of his wife.
This man. he said, explained that he
had copies of Mrs. Sanger's other
v, works, h"t he wanted to get a copy
said ne knew nothing Of 1t. and that
the pamphlet was not for sale. The
caller became insistent and seemed
So disappointed when told that no
COPY COP OF the work was to be had that
friend Of his wife. looked through
her effects and found a single copy
which he. gave TO "a friend" His
arrest followed shortly.
sangers case was sent to special ses-
sion. He appealed at once to Justice
swami IN general sessions for a jury
tss pes.d ans to ths wa sppsse asns ds1n Ssn he S
his request is denied in decision
just handed down. The court found
mat as his was criminal case his
IL ht to appeal would only come
Mr. Sanger has accused Comstock Of
having FRAMED" him. He said yes
tcrday that he had been offered a sue-
pended sentence II he would tell the |
present refuge OF his wife.
Calls 1t Comstockery.
"All on account OF 'Comstockery' the |
legislature has been intimidated TO pass
obscenity laws and laws against birth
control which have put the cowl Of
ignorance over the discussion and dis |
semination OF Information on this most +!
vital subject for years. said Mr..
Sanger. These laws have worked un-
told hardship on a vast number Of peo- |
Pile. The trainers OF this statute had |
IN mind a white-livered morality rather |
Than q heed to the crying need Of hu-
nantty. l deny the right Of the state |
any longer to ehcroach on the privacy |
of the individual by invading 1t with |
is statute. deny the right Of tho |
state to exercise dominion over the ,
'ouls and bodies OF our women by |
them to SO into unwilling |
Il deny the right Of the state to
compel the poor and disinherited to
-ear large families. driving their off, |
springs into child labor when they
should be at school and at play. most |
certainly deny the right Of the state
% arm q prudish censorship with the I
light OF search and confscation to pass
Judgment on our art and literature. I |
1eny. as well. the right to hold over
he entire medical profession the laws
II this obscenity statute. to heckle.
hinder. and deprive those best fitted by
'ears Of training and experience. from
aiding those ignorant Of the methods
II birth control.
For nearly half a century the entire
nation has been under this self-ap-
pointed censorship of our morality, and
I has been instrumental In keeping
america woefully behind the nations of
Europe
Mr.. Sanger. II convicted. may get a
'ear In prison and a fine of 81 900. II
convicted he will appeal and as at his
rial he will act as his own lawyer.