Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1858-10-22
RaWdr HcussE.

D1ANT -AA10as
The ordinance proposed in Council at its
last meeting, on the above subject, having at
traeted considerable disssntion and attention,
we have obtained from a member Of the con-
mittee in whose hands the subject now is, the
following abstract Of the object and leading
features Of the proposed regulations. The OF
dinance proposes to enact, in substance, as fol-
lows:
1. That nc person shall keep a house of ill.,
fame, or hsrboT, board and keep prostitutes,
Cundsr proper penalties without first present
ing a petition to the Mayor and Vigilance
Committee, setting forth the house to be oecu-
pied, number, names sndsges Of the occupants,
and other facts proper to be made a record Of,
and pay a monthly tax in advance Cd each &C.
cupsnt Of the bouss-the tax to make a special
fund to aid tbose who may Eish to change
their mode Of life, and those who are needy
aud destitute.
2. The Mayer and Vigilance Committee to
determine whether the permission shall be
given, subject to be revoked By the Board OF
Aldermen on the application Of any person in
terested or aggrieved.
3. The permission TO be forfeited, by disorder
" conduct, a breach Of the peace, inmates being
on the streets at night, or any annoyance Of
citizens, and many other provisions intended 10
exclude lew6 women from the streets and pub
lie places, and shut out from The public gaze
this vics-also to limit and prevent v~eneresl
disease.
4. Il was the view of the committee with
whom the ordnance MISUNDERSTANDING
the fact that prostitution lie a vice which may
be controlled and perhaps diminished, bet
which cannot be entirely eradicateds 10 add
proper provisions for the punishment Of the
crowds Of lswd women that have infested our
streets 50 much Of late. and at the same time,
when they are driven from the streets furnish
them some means Of shelter, and protect them
by police regulations from the abuse and as
ssults Of rowdys and uobs. Il is thought by
the Committee, and is said to have been found
BY experience IN other c%itiep, that more ean be
done towards the suppression Of this vice, BY
shutting it out from the streets, and from pub
lie observstion-especislly from the view Of
the youths and young men in large cities, and
at the same time by throwing the protecting
arm Of the law around fallen women, who to
say the least, ss often fall from misfortune aud
betrayal, as from an innate tendency to vice,
than By wsging against them a war Of exter-
mination. 1t is also thought desirable to hold
out inducements, as far as it can conveniently
be done, to that class Of women to quit their
mode Of life, and give them some hope Of sue
cess in such an effort. The object is not TO de-
rive city Tsusnss from prostitution, and at the
same time prevent, as far as possible, its being
an expense to the city.
Such is briefly the outline Of the proposed
ordnance for the better regulation Of p%rostitu-
ton in this city.
That something should be done in the prem
isss seems to be conceded by all The proposed
system has at least the merit Of a large human
itv, and We are inclined to think thai 60 con-
structed as to protect, while it doss not legGiis'
prostitution, it will be an honor to those who
introduce and make it a part Of our city Law.