The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-08-27
THE SOCIAL. EVIL.

st. Louis reports by telegraph the prose
cution of one OF its licensed Keepers Of
houses of prostitution. Suit is brought to
test the legality OF the city ordinance.
This ordinance regulates the number Of
houses of this class, provides that each one
shall be, visited weekly by reputable
physician for sanitary as well as medicinal
purposes, requires registry of the in
mates, prohibits girls underIa certain age
frequenting them, and provides other regc-
lations. st. Louis has considered this sub
iect for long time, and has
devoted TO it much study. Men
and women have discussed it in
its various phases, and earnest effort has
been made TO treat il conscientously and
TO meet it practically. The results of the
workings Of the licensing plan were pretty
clearly indicated in a letter written some
little time ago to one of the city officers by
the keeper Of one of the houses which had
been managed under the rules Of the ordi-
nance for twelve months. She said dur
ing that time nine Of her boarders had left
| for the purpose Of leading decent lives, their
reformation being chiefly brought about by
the aid and advice Of the attendant
physicians. She also called attention to
the fact that, whereas formerly school girls
were frequently received and retained in
these places, parents often having to call
| upon the policeto reclaim their daughters,
and ostensbly respectable men and women
made regular designations meetings there,
now all such evils are prevented, the
"landladies'' under the present law, being
held strictly accountable, and being anx-
ious to prevent any trouble arising in
| regard to their places. The letter closes
as follows: E rrYG lW 5!I Il.
ssThe ordinance has among its advocates
those who seek through it to promote
health, purity and virtue, the reclamation
Of the courtesan, and much good to the
community. The conduct Of the women
has, since the introduction Of the law,
| greatly improved They are not now at
| war with the police authorities as formerly.
/ 1t is no hardship, very few cases excepted,
| to pay the weekly dues, and thereby sc.
cure the services Of a physician and good
treatment in well constructed hospital
But it was hardship to be in any case O
sickness obliged to succumb to the demands
of INSCRIPTIONS doctors and druggists, who
charged exorbitant fees and prices. Pre-
scriptions which were filled in drug stor
for fifty cents or SO for other customers
we we're obliged to pay 50 and So for. And
physicians actually went round to fine
out the pecuniary circumstances of CIR
before they would tell her the price tina
would be charged her. *aat And a
for the reformation of which these goo,
people talk, what can tend more effectual
ly toward that object than the new re
: formatory which is in course of erection
, near our hospital? The aversion in hu
man nature to being an object of contemp
! or contemptuous pity, has prevented man
: woman from making attempts to chang
: her life, which she might otherwise hav
done. But in our new institution an emf
9 ton of Independence is felt, a sort Of fee
! ing that true merit will be successful
. which has greater tendency toward Ell
couragement than where the struggler
g dependent upon the good will Of priyat
h individuals.o eai1 Rgea a5j ii
I The result'of the trial is awaited wit
: great interest and not a little anxiety.