November 16, 1873
Anthony Comstock
182 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10031
Admissions Committee
Progressive Hall of Fame
555 Hall Street
Washington, DC 20515
Dear committee members,
I am delighted to see that the United States Congress has finally decided to devote room
in a museum to the leaders of the Progressive Movement. There has been a multitude of
Progressive Movement leaders, and this movement tremendously impacted American History.
Among the many notable leaders of the Progressive Movement I am the most prominent, as my
qualifications will show you.
I have successfully devoted my whole life to supervising the morality of the public.
Throughout my whole life, I believed that it was my obligation to alert the government of the
abominations I have observed within society. I seek to protect the young from sights that would
lead them into paths that would corrupt their souls. I firmly believe that women have a true place
in the home, and it is our duty to place women and children under custody of American laws in
order to preserve the middle class family. As a crusader against the vice, my efforts in cleansing
society of their moral disgraces have promoted a valuable and clean lifestyle.
One of the greatest ways I have been able to promote morality is through the passing of
the greatest censorship law, known as the Comstock Act of 1873. My efforts have made it a
crime to distribute materials that are considered obscene, such as those used for contraception or
abortion. I have successfully created the New York Society for the Suppression of the Vice,
which monitors state laws and works with district courts in order to promote proper moral
conduct. This association has successfully influenced the federal government and many states to
pass more strict laws against obscenity. Furthermore, I have triumphantly prosecuted more than
3,600 defendants under federal law, as well as having destroyed over 160 tons of obscene
literature. By working hard to promote morality among the public, I have improved society and
addressed many problems caused by industrialization.
I would like to refer you to the enclosed resume for more information on my experience
and skills. I am very interested in interviewing for this position and am available at any time. I
would like to thank you for your time and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Anthony Comstock
Anthony Comstock
182 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10031
Goal:
To represent the Progressive Movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries through
my inclusion in the Progressives Hall of Fame.
Beliefs:
I strongly believe that modern society is greatly declining in morality. I firmly believe
that by promoting greater moral values, censoring obscenities out of art and literature, and
alerting the government of the abominations within society, Americans can successfully reform
their lifestyle.
Work Experience:
Soldier in the American Civil War, 1863-1865
Fought for the Union in the 17th Infantry.
Gained a sense of repulsion for the obscenity noted in other soldiers.
Appointed Special Agent of the United States Post Office
Censored materials being sent.
Limited controversial content being distributed, such as birth control and other contraceptives.
Active worker for Young Men’s Christian Association, 1866
Approached social development using spiritual methods.
Promoted Christianity.
Founder of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice, 1873
Monitored society’s correspondence with federal laws regarding morality.
Promoted Christian ideals and strict censorship.
Accomplishments:
The Comstock Law of 1873
Made it a crime to distribute materials that could be used for contraception or abortion.
Influences
Used New York Society for the Suppression of the Vice money to lobby New York state
legislature for laws criminalizing premarital sex and adultery.
Prosecution
Successfully prosecuted more than 3,600 defendants under federal law.
Destroyed over 160 tons of obscene literature.
Secured the prosecution of Madame Restell, Victoria Woodhull, and Ezra Heywood.
Works
Frauds Exposed (1880)
How People are Deceived and Robbed (1880)
Youth Corrupted (1880)
Traps for the Young (1883)
Gambling Outrages (1887)
Morals Versus Art (1887)
Skills:
Influential and persuasive speaker
Educated in the system of the United States Post Office
Strongly motivated in promoting morality
Developed understanding of Congress and lobbying
References:
Morris Jesup
Jesup is the YMCA President, who fully supports my goals in promoting morality and spreading
Christian values.
William E. Dodge
A Fellow organizer of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice. He is able to support
my ideas of censorship regarding obscene content and adultery.
Pierpont Morgan
Yet another fellow organizer of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice. His beliefs
correspond with my influences on congress.
Annotated Bibliography
Primary Sources:
Andrist, Ralph. “Paladin of Purity”. American Heritage. October 1973. 02 November
< HYPERLINK
"http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1973/6/1973_6_4.shtml"
http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/
1973/6/1973_6_4.shtml>>.
This source included many quotes from Comstock that allowed me to gain a deeper
understanding of his motivations for promoting such intense moral values.
2009.
Bates, Anna. Weeder in the Garden of the Lord. New York: University Press of America,
Inc. 1995.
This source also included many quotes from Comstock which explained his feelings toward
women’s rights. This greatly exemplified his passion for preserving the typical middle class
family, which explains his antirrhesis toward birth control and women's rights.
Comstock, Anthony. Traps for the Young. Cambridge: The Belknap Press of Harvard
University Press, 1967.
This was one of Comstock’s direct works which fully explained the Comstock Act of 1873.
Secondary Sources:
“Comstock Law of 1873”. Law Library. 02 November 2009. < HYPERLINK
"http://www.law.jrank.org/pages/5508/comstock-law-1873.html" http://www.law.jrank.org/
pages/5508/comstock-law-1873.html>>.
This source gave me a deeper understanding of the Comstock Act, as well as Comstock’s
influences on congress.
Cross, Robert. “Anthony Comstock”. American National Biography. Ed. Garraty, John.
Volume 5. New York. Oxford University Press, 1999.
Using this source I have gained background information on Comstock, allowing me to fully
understand his motivations for his beliefs.
Lader, Lawrence. Margaret Sanger Pioneer of Birth Control. New York: LAwrence Lader
and Milton Meltzer, 1969.
This source gave me an insight on Comstock’s opposition toward birth control. This source
explains Comstock’s actions to prevent birth control from being utilized in the United States.