The Nevada journal., 1858-03-05
For the Nevada Journal.

1HAT LOCAL INSTITUTION AGAIN.
Mr.. Editor Since your reference to
the District Attorney, / have taken the
pains to examine the law for the sup
preston of houses of i'll fame. 1t ap-
pears as plain as A B G. And accord
ing to its provisions and requirements
there are not less than a score OF two
establishments in this city that ought to
be suppressed at once. They exist and
are multiplying i'll number not only in
open violation of law but of every prin-
c:ple of decency and good morals. Why
is it 500 Is Nevada an exception to the
law and are our bawds and their friends
privileged characters, or is 1t that we as
citizens are not law abiding or law re-
specting Who will suffer law and b.
lie morals to be grossly violated without
a word of expostulation
1t may be that the friends of virtue
and law for protecting it are in the mi
nority, but it would be well to test it by
at least one manly Independent effort to
enforce the law, Mr.. Editor, would it
not be a slur on the good name and rep
utation of our city abroad to insinuate
that its public sentiment was controlled
by prostitutes and debauchees ? must
believe that our citizens generally would
decide in favor of the law and its stlin-
gent enforcement. Then why is it not
donel Can the fault be with our public
officials, District Attorney and others.
True, the time has been in divers places
in California, when official position has
been secured and sustained by winking
at public vices, and not being very scru-
pulous about indulging i'll them. But
that was long time ago, when things
social and political were not as they are
now Surely, at this late day, and in
this Christian city of Nevada. populari-
ty could not be gained by visiting public
iniquities in any other than an official
capacity. Surely, the important truth
has been learned here that men and
women of virtue, of good Worals, and
friends of the laws that protect their
virtue and morals, have some influence,
and that their opinions are at least worth
something. But l will simply press the
inquiry, why is not the law against pros
titution, and for the suppression of such
places as literally corrupt our streets,
put in force Is it because prostitutes
and debauchees have waxed so numer
GUS and mighty, that they have put the
law under their feet, and defy the Dis
trict Attorney and all his legal coadju
tors, to move in its behalf. Are we so
Indifferent as citizens to the prevalence
and increase of this evil, that we
content ourselves and our official
servants, in letting it grow rampant over
law and everything else | have been
told that this same law has been cntorc-
ed in this city, and with beneficial re-
suits. Why can it not be done so again!
Mr.. Editor. l feel in earnest about this
matter, and hope to see others So The
evil of which l speak has assumed such
a phase in our city. that not to oppose
it is to silently give consent and encour-
agement to it. And is it asking too much
that we as citizens and public officers,
enforce the provisions and demands of
common decency, morals aud law! Is
it not unworthy of us to ask for or allow
less than thisl And, bythe-way, an
editorial from you and your co-laborer
with the quill would no donbt be receiS-
ed with favor by more than one
PARENT.