The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-24
NEW YORK, August 10Th, 1874.
To THE Hon. JAMES HARPER, MAYOR.

As the correction of abuses, and the reformation
Of evils in our municipal Government, is the chief
object Of your administration, and knowing that
you do not shrink from any official duty, through
lack or want OF moral courage, ] am induced TO
call the attention OF your Honor to profane nui-
sance that has been suffered to remain undated,
in the vicinity OF Water, near Roosevelt street, for
long time past. allude to the houses OF i'll
fame, rum cellars and brothels of the worst order
kept there.
And whereas, an Indictment has been rendered
in the Police Court, BY the respectable residents OF
that nelghborhocd, Tor the immediate prose cIlion
my painful duty Tin behalf Of my fellow-ctizens)
to inform your Honor of the utter negligence and
inattendance which has been sustained on this oc-
casion, on the part OF the "P0ice," or Court, in
which the indictment was presented. There have,
already, nine or ten weeks passed since the charge
was made against these places, and accepted by the
Court. The citizens, at the same time, giving in
their oaths as TO- the facts above stated, and the
mature OF the Places" which are well-known TO
the public.
The warrants were at the time Of the indictment
issued, and the gentlemen" appeared, but the
brothel keepers have given bail, and since the
time OF their having procured bail "for their Sc
curity," the matter has been laid aside and nothing
more since heard OF. This is our "Poce" sys-
TEN.
was in hopes, from demonstrations | had re-
Gently noticed OF an Intention on the part OF the
municipal authorities proposed and aided by your
Honor) to reform, and put down obscene nui-
sances Of this, and like nature, that it would be
unnecessary TO call your attention to it but find
that it is still continuing on the same course and
still as bad as heretofore.
II is hardly necessary for me to remark upon the
injurious effect IT has against the reputation OF our
city, by allowing such scandalous nuisances to go
unchecked, and besides, in one OF our most bust
ness parts Of the city.
To say OF It's demoralIzing effects,lth influence
1t has upon our respectable community, is pernlci-
Gus in the highest degree Why is il that these
matters are not attended to, and strictly acted
upon We appeal to your Honor, the Mayor Of
the City, for "Justlce," from whose hands we ex-
rect to receive it. Shall these outrages upon So
ciety be endured any longer! No! Put a stop to
these places at once, and done with it. Why, we
scarcely, as il is now, walk ia our streets after
dark with our wives and daughters, without fear.
ing Of being moested by either obscene language
or personal assault, by these hangers-on and paid
loafers that are continually assembled and loungng
about these Ito use vulgarity) filthy rum holes and
novels.
But ] hope that strict measures will be immedl-
ately taken by your Honor TO correct this lament
ing evil Aud by that means you will ensure the
respect, esteem, and duly support OF the respect.
able community,of citizens residing in that dis
irct as their daily occupations bind them to that
part of the city for support. | deem it as unjust
for respectable peopleito be compelled oleave theii
leased premises, 70 give room. and to be drove
out, by these worthless and dssipated characters
and vagrants."
Yours, respectfully, c.. G.