A Working Mother Answers the Charity That Called Her Unfit

To the Editor: In answer to the letter published in your issue of this day by E. T. Dooley in regard to the case of Mrs. Bennett, I have a few words to say. The proof, as was well settled by the jury in said cause, was not that she was a common prostitute, nor that she had promiscuous intercourse with men. The proof was not that she was a person earning her living by other than legal means. Mr. Dooley's letter insinuates that she was proven to be a woman of unchaste character. I desire to say that Mr. Dooley, in saying that such appeared from the evidence produced in said cause, states a falsehood; that the burden of the testimony showed that she was a hard-working woman, trying to earn her living over a wash tub to support herself and children depending upon her for support. There was no testimony offered in said cause nor produced by the prosecution that there were present during any of the interviews any except the two officers, Mrs. Bennett, Mr. Dooley and one child, aged 11 years, and the other nearly 13 years of age. It was proved at said trial that the above-named children were present when Mr. Dooley, acting in his capacity as superintendent of the Board of Associated Charities, accused Mrs. Bennett in the presence of her children that she was leading a life of ill-fame, and that she was not a proper party to have their care, custody and control; that at none of the times referred to was present the 16-year-old daughter mentioned in Mr. Dooley's letter. Mr. Dooley, knowing all these facts and circumstances surrounding the case, attempts to warp public opinion in his behalf, knowing full well that the statements are only made by him to mislead the public; that the proof shows that there was no 'hard times jury' empanelled; that the jury was composed of the following gentlemen: Henry Kuste, clerk; Capt. J. F. Ryan, deep sea diver; Joseph Strauss, carpenter; R. J. Lampson, clerk; A. Windt, merchant; Charles H. Brown, dealer in real estate. That in answer to the charge made by Mr. Dooley as to the witnesses on the part of the defense, they all showed themselves on the witness stand to be gentlemen of integrity and honor, and did not attempt to hide behind any subterfuge, as did Mr. Dooley. Respectfully yours, Chas. J. Walsh, Of Counsel for Defendant.