The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-27

[From the Missouri Republican, July "a
v NV. acts have been asceItaned from the social
not generally known before. The lsts Of de-
PRAYED women have been completed SO far as to
include all who reside in the city north Of Chou
teau avenue, and from them il ia gathered that
the number OF these women in st. LOUIS il small
as compared with other cities, and that
the majority OF them commenced and follow
their career of shame at their own free will,
or "by choice" in the words used on the
list The number residing within the boundary
mentioned, which includes all the most prominent
haunts of vice in the city, is about Cj2. OF this
number 81 nave written opposite their names in
the column headed "Reasons for becoming &c.,
the words, "By choice" Here il something for
moral reformers to mediate over. IL is very
common for people, particularly of her own sex,
to view each fallen woman as the victim Of some
Villains arts, whereas, In st. Louis. very
nearly one half of the total number, so
far as ascertained, declare their course Of life
deliberately chosen by themselves. Besides
the one mentioned the list shows variety
of other reasons alleged. Seduction is against
eighty-one names, and this 10 the next largest to
those who only accuse themselves for their fall.
Among the other reasons to be seen there are
some as suggestive of human weakness as Of
human sorrow and temptation. Here are some
wretched girls who assert that they owe their
miserable career merely to Discrimination to
work, or, in their own works, "dont like to
labor" Then we have an array who lay the blame
on "bad associations and Glove of dress" We
wives boldly prOclaiming that their down.
fall was caused by neglect of husband"
' treatment of husband" domestic troublen
and such like. Some are also to be found
who seem to have been unable to answer the ques-
ton Of the police specifically, except to say mo
one to care for me-" Buta glance over these
lists suggests darker thoughts Of human wicked
ness than anything yet mentioned. In not few
cases the unfortunate cyprians answered the Off
GERS with horrible candor. They implicated in
the course Of their downfall not only members of
their own sex, who tempted them on to ruin, but
even their parents aud other near rels tives. Re-
voting as the "socia evil'' Is in the
aggregate, 1t is not possible to look into
the workings and collect statistics of its cause
without revealing details even more unsightly
and dscredtable to humanity. Another qucs-
ton addressed to these women in tue preparation
of the lists is, why they continue lie of vice
The answers are various, but the conveyed in
the words "by choice" is altogether the most fire.
quent. Among other reasons given are ''no-
where to go, ashamed to 90 home, ;" "no other
means of living" &c. The cases in which desire
is indicated to get away from life Of shame are
not many. One feature in the system will
be, that in such cases measures will be
taken by which the unfortunate will BIO
enabled to separate herself from course of vice
if sincerely anxious so to do. The lists so far az
prepared are now in possession Of the Board Of
Health, and together with the record will be kept
strictly for the private inspection of the Board
and the few others authorized to have access to
them by ordinance. They have been drawn with
great care and ncatness by the police authorities
and in their systematic arrangement Indicate that
the matter is being proceeded with iudiciously
and in business like manner.