The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-06
TIE SOCIAL EVIL AVID TIE IMPROPER
METHODS OF EaaOICaTiEG VT.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD

TO THE EDITOR or THE HERALD
Much has been sald written and preached about
the Magdaenes OF this city, many believing thar q
regular license system regulating prostitution would
prevent its spread, while Others think that whole
sale RAID like that Of last Saturday, and sending the
poor creatures TO the workhouse would prevent
those who have entered upon this course OF life from
proceeding further in the downward course, ana
deter the young from thinking OF tie horrible lle
that SO many enter upon. Now, would AJAX, 90
these ministers OF the Gospel ana morasts who
harp 80 much upon this great subject ever stop to
think what might be the cause which drives so many
OF our young women to lcsd life OF prostitution
No woman Will embrace lie OF shame unless she
is driven to do 1t, be easily proved In ninety
nine cases out OF every hundred; ana frty out Of
every hundred found leading such le are inrelli.
gent and IN many cases wei educated ana accom-.
pllsned. ana some OF them even handsome women,
fair land.
Perhaps some VIII ask, GLOW do YOU know all
thisW answer from personal knowledge OF city
ne III all It's various phases, ana could cite hundreds
OF cases that have under my notice dur ng the
past twenty years; but ! VIII meatton only one as
an instance. which Is oflate occurrence. which is
true Ia every particular
Not long ago gentleman OF education, who had
Formerly been teacher Of languages, came to this
CITY with his famllyhls wife being accomplished
cities. The husband ana father sought employment
and loand. after a months search, situation,
nhiCu Hc HtlSu WIN 10 MS employers
Till about the 1st Of February, when he was DIS
charged because business was dun. since then ne
mas searched Tor employment In vain. For some
Tune his little family have seen much suffering. some
days starvation actually staring them in the face.
IN such circumstances with little ones crying for
bread, ~ 1t wonder that the vile ana mother, who
Is . soouookins lady, should go on to the street
And sell her soul TO whoever would buy
Delln5 IN shame for n in)rael OF bread
TO keep her little from starving? She tried 10
get situation as teacher or music, but failed and
was iinally offered situation 10 play the piano III
broadway concert saloon at twenty dollars week
but declined as 1t was too public. learn that she
VIII enter upon life OF shame, or else end her sui
1erngS IN DEATH before she will longer see her loved
ones suller. This is Il true picture OF many cases
which daily take place n this city of boasted charity
and religion. Now, some VIII ask, "Why dont she
apply 10 the charitable societies nstltutons?n
answer, "D0es visit from missionary who goes
round and talks about Christ, and telling them to
trust IN God, put bread into the mouths
OF the starving" NO. Nor do the police
raids like that OF last week, tend to prevent pros
tituton, but rather have tendency to increase
1t, for those who sent to the workhouse return
to the city worse than they were before and while
they are ON the Island their places are filed by new
recruits. Have any OF our ministers ana phil0nthro-
plsts ever pointed out q remedy Tor the growing
social evil have never heard OF one, ana will say
should be fund.- that the wants Of the poor girls and
poor families might be supplied at such times when
they are unable to obtain employment ana before
they are compelled TO enter upon u life OF shame,
ana thus at once prevent the first step toward pros
tltutton. 1t would save hundreds of women IN this
now leading virtuous lives There should be more
true charity shown by our Christian population than
there Is ut the present time IL would prevent the
spread OF prostitution. BELpiEGOR.