The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-01-31 00:00:00

DRIDPORT.

_
LECTURE ON "WHITE SLAVERY."

Mr. Alfred S. Dyer, of Lomb)°, member of the
London committee for ths " Suppreesion of the
Foreign Traffic In Engll Girls," gave an interesting
lecture at the Town Hall on Touraday evening, under
the presidency of Mr. H. Howell On the platform
were the Rector of Bridp nt, Rev. J. Davies, Rev. A.
Mewton, Rev. R. Franck, Captain Martin, and Mr.
J. Beech.

-.The front chairs were filled by a number of 13rtldgc:
ladies, interested in the repeal of the Coni
Diseases Acts

_
Mr. Ursa, having been introduced by the Chairman,
proceeded to say that the Contagious Dimness Acts
were at present at the bar of public opinion at Brid-
pod, and explained what the Acts were, and to what
extent they operated. Very few persons would gnaw
the meaning and operation of these Acts from their
title. It heel been stated before a Parliannotary
committee that the civil population benefitted by the
Act., but the principal effect of them laws really came
up ot the civil population and the laws themselves
bad desoended to the lowest depths. Tbe Contagious
Dimmer Acts were an incentive to debauchery by the
method and accessorise of their operations, which
manufactured a clam of child libertines. The Govern-
ment, too, by these Acta, became a tempter of its
subjects. Wherever the system existed, the longer
and deeper the corruption, but be trained they would
boon be swept away before the evil had tints to take
deep root. On the continent where there was a state
regulation of vice, marriage tied lost its sanctity;
purity in men wee not siked for, and rarely found In
women; women and children were abut up like wild
hews under • plea of health, and where women are
taught the bleephem rue doctrine of the " neoerity of
vice." We need not go abroad for this corrupt system.
Speaking of the "secret police spy system," the lecturer
cited one instance of a police spy throwing up his position
In disgust acid leaving the neighbourhood. The lecturer
noticed that the intended victims were all women, for
the law recognised no right except the right of man
to sin, and the system recognised women only as
=gerbil for man's gratification. The No-called moral
result of this law was the greatest hypocrisy of the
age, and those who supported then laws should be
scouted out of all deceit society. He did not believe
that the Acts reclaimed fallen women, or produced
good conduct in the streets. It was believed by some
that the laws only affected the Army and Navy, but
they were not to believe that; tbe Army and Navy
were the excuse. The law which diegraced the statute.
book of this kingdom took no account of women but
as an instrument for male. debauch,rr, and if they
were perslsted in, could not but bring down upon this
klndoui the just judgment of God. (Cheers)
The Rev. Mr. bilwron said titers appeared to be an
unanimous disgust at the ex;sting laws effecting thim
subject, and trusted that agitation would roach such
strength that the tree conscienoe of the country
would be euooseeful. He moved that a petition,
having for its object the repeal ot the C.D. AM., be
signed by the chairman for the meeting, and forwarded
to Mr. Warton—(loud laurher)—for presentation.
Before Mr. blewton could finish his remarks., the
assembly had reached such • " plch of laughter" that
the concluding sentiments were literally drowned amid
cries from the rear of the hall, which was crammed to
exam, of "Better send the petition to Lori Portraits,"
" Send Warton • pinch of snuff," "Send him some
shepherd's plaid," and other such brilliant effusions.
Mr. Idevrion expressed bile sorrow' amid cheers, that
Bridport had not a better representative.
Kr. Dame moon led with • few brief remarks,
but before the resolution could be put to the meeting,
• gentleman (who afterwards informed WI that his
name was Henry John Hinett, and that he lived at
8, %chiliad-terrace, Plymouth) roes from tho body of
the hall to speak.
There was some commotion at the unexpected rising
frem the rear seats, but the stranger, by invitation of
the chairman, advanced to the platform. He said the
C.D. Acts had broqrht about good, and mentioned
Instances of It. working in Plymouth. He mewed
"that the Acts be retained."
There was no seconder to the amendment, and the
original resolution was carried by a very large majority
and with acclamation.
Mr. Dew in answer to what Kr. Hissed had said
of Plymouth, differed very widely, for the reirions
men of Plymouth were in favour of the Repeal. The
ads were made to protect such men as Colonel Baker
and Lieutenant Ponsoeby, and had not the victim of
Poneonby'm lust died, her name would have been
placed on the government register of prosecution. The
acts were to provide before•hand for the oommiseion
of a sin at which God did not No much speak as
thunder.
. . .

--i'be vOte of thaab to the Chairman was wooded
by the gestlemaii from Plymouth, and carried with
acciaasatisa.
The ;swam dispersed In the most ordody IMAM.