New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-01
Her Promise Not to Re
peat Offence Will End
Imprisonment
HUNGER STRIKER MAY
Go FREE TO-DAY
Governor Promises TO
Start Anti-Birth Con-
troll Inquiry
Prom star corosDondeo, o. The rriouD.l

From = star Correspondent o. The Tribunel
Albany, jan. S1.-The birth control
pilgrims got more than sympathy to-
day from Governor Whitman.
The Governor assured Mrs. Amos
Pinchot, Mrs. Margaret Sanger and the
other women with them that he was
willing TO appoint commission as
they suggested, to study the question
of contraception and the proposed re-
peal of the penal code sections relat-
ing TO the dissemination OF birth con-
troll information.
Governor Whitman made another
promise, too. that the committee, rep
rescnting the National Birth Control
League. hurried away to deliver to MIS-
Sancers sister, Mrs. Ethel Byrne. Tie
said he would pardon Mrs Byrne II she
promised not to commit the offence
again. The condition imposed some
what nettled the pilgrims, but, armed
with pardon blank and an order from
Tho Governor directing Commissioner
Burdette G.. Lewis TO allow Mrs. San
Ger to visit her sister tomorrow and
Friday. they returned to New York to
put the pardon up to Mrs. Byrne her
self.
Just after they quit the Capitol Mrs.
Augusta Cary, legislative representa-
tive of the league, was denounced on
the floor of the Assembly by Assembly
man Clarence f. Welch, of Albany. a
pamphleted editorial from "The New
Republic" on birth control, being dis
tributed by Mrs. Cary, had reached his
desk and made him angry. He rose
to a point Of personal privilege and
spoke his mind.
81 understand he said, that there
is woman about the Capitol who is
distributing pamphlets advocating the
violation Of one of the fundamental
laws of the state and every law of de-
cency and morality. | have made in
quiry as to whether or not she IS regis
tered in the Secretary Of States Office
and | find she is not. If she does not
leave the Capitol | shall ask the police
20 arrest her. The distribution of such
literature is insulting and outrageous
Mrs. Cary Registers
Mrs. Cary Immediately registered ss
a lobbyist for the league.
The committee that called on the
Governor included, besides Mrs.
Pinchot and Mrs. Sanger. Miss Jessie
Ashley, Mrs. Francis H.gginsOn Cabot,
Mrs. Maitland Griggs and DR.. Mary
Bolton, Of Gouverneur Hospital. Mrs.
Pinchot announced to the Governor that
they represented a committee Of more
than seventy prominent and influential
women in New York City.
"We have organized ourselves into a
committee" said Mrs. PiuchOt, ito do
propaganda work for the benefit Of
women of the state who are suffering
because Of this law, which we have long
thought was a relic of the dark ages. 10
prevent women from deciding when
they want children.
what would be a great help to US
would be for you to appoint a commits
sion TO whom those who have some
thing 70 offer on this subject might
give testimony, and who might give tes-
iimony from England. France and other
countries. have here "a statement
signed by Professor Dewey, Of Column
81 bia, and thirty-ninc other professor
.ndorsing the movement
Mrs. Sanger told the Governor that
there were 5000 deaths from illegal
operations last year IN this state. She
iold about her studies abroad, and the
change since the first clinic was estab-
lished at Amsterdam.
Breaking of Law Here
In Governor Hospital" said Dr..
Holton, eve have 20 break the law in
order not 10 be mUrdercrs in the
maternity ward, whcr, tubercular and
otherwise diseased women arc brought
with children. But although Commits
sioLcr Emerson said ne believed in
breskinc the law 20 save lives, the doc
tors fear arrest
Miss Ashley said tho thing TO do
was 10 change public opinion by the
work Of the proposed commission.
There rs one woman she said, who
has tried her best % get the law
tcsted-M-s Ethel Byrnc. would ask
you, Governor. TO commute her sen
tence 10 allow her 20 have her case
appealed"
"Tbe difficulty is" answered the
Governor, that if ! pardon her. the
pardon will wipe out the conviction
ard you will have nothing 10 appeal.
! an perfectly willing 20 DO anything
10 help your appeal am willing TO
pardon her. but I've got 20 enforce
thu law. and n the woman will agree
not 20 violate it again IN pardon her.
J don't think there is any widespread
feeling i0 the community that she
should suffer
well" inteposed Mrs. Sanger. III
tho state is willing 30 take thousand
lives, my sister is willing 10 shall take
one more"
II think" continued the Governor.
that this ease ought 10 be appealed.
How large commission DO you
want" he Governor asked Mrs.
Pinchot.
Il haven't determined the details"
he said.
Il am perfectly wiling" announced
Governor Whitman. then. "to appoint
such commission II can find men 10
take IL. think DO rs the wisest dis
position 10 make Of IT,"
Then arose the difficulty Of commu-