The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-03
PROSTITUTION.

SHALL IT DE LEGAIIzED IN OUR MIDST p
LICENSING OF HOUSES OF ILL FAME RECON-
MENDED BY THE GRAND JURY OF THE
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS.
At the closing Of the May term OF the Court of Gen.
oral Sessions yesterday afternoon the Grand Jury en-
tered the court room and handed the following pre-
sentiment to Judge Suthcrand:--
The COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS OF THE PEACE FOR
TIE Ciry AND COUNTY or NEw YORK;
Tho Grand Inquest OF the county empanclled in the
month OF May IN closing their labors respectfully pre-
scnt-Tnat they desire to call the attention OF the
Court 10 the growing EVIL of prostitution in this city
Houses OF prostitution, formerly confined great
extent particular localities the city, have OF late
years. with tho increasing growth of our population
become scattered through ali parts Of the city. Tho
lack OF sufficient power to properly deal with this evil
under existing legislation Is very apparent The houses
only DO dealt with dsordery houses, and
where they kcps in such manner not TOO grossly
to offend the sense OF public decency convic
ton is exceedingly difficult even IN the OF houses
well known 10 la within the definition OF the law II
broken up by the constant action OF the police IN ono
district where they have become ntolerable from
their numbers, the that they reappcar in other
localities, perhaps previously respectable In many
portions the city property has become almost worth
less Tor occupancy Tor respectable persons either Tor
business for residence. because has been invaded
by houses OF this Class, and when they driven IRON
such district the only result is that they deystatc
another. Even II all houses OF this kind by close
and untiring enforcement OF the law, be entirely sup
pressed the only result would be prostitutes would
harbor in tenement houses ANA other dwellings inhah
itcd by respectable people, ana by their example anu
conduct, do much more to dcprave the young than
they do ut present. lnueed 10 quite settled that lcgis
lation to suppress prostitution is and must be incec
tive And the fact that business VIGOROUSLY Illegal
be safely carried defiance law tends to
dcmoraze public sentiment and Is especially injurious
in its ELECTS upon tho officers OF The police charged
with the enforcement OF the law.
Tho members OF this inquest are also deeply I'M
pressed with the vast evils inflicted upon society by
the introduction through prostitution of the and
most dangerous types oil disease into the whole COM
mnnIty whose ravascs are not limited 10 those who
voluntarily expose themselves 10 Its dangers, but affect
untold evils upon postcrity This last consideration
has impressed itself upon the members of this inquest
in their observation Of the inmates OF our penal nsti
tutions. This inquest Is firmly OF tho opinion that,
however abhorrcnt 10 the views OF some any lcgisa.
ton may be which appears cgalzo great evil,
sll the fact not be lost sight OF that Is ev
impossible suppress yet comparatively TO reg
uaic and circunscrbc and that suitable legislation
Tor its restriction 10 particular localities and rs
careful and constant supervision by the Boards
Of Health and OF Police would do very much
To check the evils growing out OF IL; the
spread OF disease would DO almost, il not
entirely. stopped the employment ot houses Of this
description resorts OF thieves and reccptacles for
stolen goods would become well nigh impossible, and
the very patronage itself Of such houses would be al
most entirely limited TO those who not ashamed
afraid to be visiting them. II wholly
forcgo the benefits that may be derived frcm
such system through sentimental dread OF appear
ing to counlenance evil This inquest bcgs present
TO the Court the following resolutions
Resolved, That The Legislature Of The State of New
York be earnestly requested to adopt early pract
cable system OF laws calculated to conne houses
or prostitution In the large cities OF this State within
certain specincd limits, aud to subject them all times
the careful and vIgant supervision OF the Boards of
Health and Police
That this Court he respectfully requested forward
a copy Of this presentmcnt to the Legislature
as IL shall be IN ssi0n.
EDWARD VAN voLKENBURGH, Foreman.
FREDERICK III. CuAPIx. Secretary.