Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-27
One step may determine the commencement

Rep,-Is there any thing else, MI. McKib-
bin you would like to say?
Mr. McKibbin, There is one thing of in
terest. For my part, do not labor under
the idea that this thing can be extinguished,
nor may the movement we are engaged in
have any great influence in keeping away
men determined to go to such places, nor
keep women SO disposed, from finding them.
But the making the thing an act Of such
great secrecy and stealth as characterizes the
commission of other crimes, will have, in my
judgment two advantages: There is class
of women who have been seduced and
led astray who under the influence of shame,
strike for the centres where prostitution is
public, and the avenues all open-where the
sense of shame, coupled with the fear of
want, is likely to draw them into such places.
This class, it is we'll known, furnis'. a large
proportion of the prostitutes all over the
land. By the execution of the present law,
to it's fullest extent, these women would find
greater difficulties in entering such places,
and in attempting to do so, would naturally
fall into the hands of the police, and be by
them returned to their friends, or sent to
charitable or reformatory institutions In
either case large proportion would be saved
from leading lives of prostitutes And again
as regards women, it would reduce the
possibility of inexperienced women
being led astray by disreputable men
and prevent them being decoyed into houses
of ill-fame. If overtaken by want, they
would more likely fall into the hands of the
police. They would thus be saved from
entering into life of that character. The
other advantage is that women from 16 to
20 years of age would have the tempta-
+~ mi r>1o To %bo
minimum, on account of the secresy and
stealth that it would be necessary to incur to
visit such places. This movement is emf
nently one for the benefit of the rising gen
Grafton.
Rep.-Would not strict enforcement of
the law have the effect of spreading the evil
instead of combining it to certain localities?
Mr.. McKibben-A great deal has been
said in reference to the disadvantages
of the scattering of these women to rooms
and localities through the city. In reference
to this it can be said the whereabouts of
these people can be readily discovered by the
police through the neighborhood reputation
which these houses always acquire. The
legal evidence of their character can be OBJ
tanned by raids upon them. by what is tech
nically called quilting the houses" by detail
ing officers to watch the premises, and by
being able to prove that men are in the habit
at all hours of the night of coming and 60
ing. In this way, and by other means, the
character OF the houses could be easily
established in the Municipal Court.
Rep.-Haye you any idea of the number
of these women, and how many houses are
occupied?
Mr.. McKibbin-Yes, we know those who
occupy their own premises and those who
rent. Thechief of police knows of IA or
Is whom he hasn't legal evidence to convict.
In notifying the owners of the premises, we
have included those only the character of
whose tenants could be readily proven.
Mr.. McKibben here gave an instance Of a
party, who was without doubt engaged in
the business, but who was SO sharp that the
police could prove nothing against her. OF
course no notice was served upon her for
this reason.
Rep.-You think then that the remedy for
the evil lies in the strict enforcement of the
law?
Mr.. McKibbin-My conviction is that
if the Common Council will once let
it be known, that the law will be executed
according to it's letter and spirit, through
complaints upon general fame or reputation,
or through judicious night raids, anything
but very secret prosecution of the business
will be too perilous for all parties male and
female, to be profitable.
In view of the fact that this system of
practical license has been in operation for
years, am Of the conviction that the respon-
sibility for its continuance in its present
form, must rest very largely with the Com
mon Council. Such officers of the city gov
eminent as I have talked with, have ex-
pressed perfect willingness to carry the law
into effect as soon as requested
so to do by the Common Council.
Rep.-You find the property owners gen
Mr.. McKibbin-Ye with perhaps single
fed, talked as if the property was not good
for anything else and that he would have to
get out Of it whatever he could.
During the interview, Mr.. McKibbin
readily answered all questions put by the
GLOBE representative, and seemed anxious
that a proper and becoming expression might
be conveyed of the sincerity and earnestness
of purpose of the duty he had imposed upon
himself. Of course, in the conversation
much was said as to specific details, that if
published would tend to retard rather
than advance the movement, and is
for this reason omitted; but enough
it is believed, is here given to show that one
Of the most vigorous and determined on
slaughts ever instituted in any city against
the social evil is on the eve of it's Inaugural
ton here. To make the matter complete
the notice spoken of above to the property
owners, is herewith appended, and is as fol-
lows
ST. PAUL. Jan, "a, 1873.
DEAR S1R:-Are you aware that No. -,
street, of which you are (owner or agent) is be-
ing used by it's occupant (NIrs. or Miss - as
house of prostitution? All doubt as to this
fact will be dispelled by reference to the rec
ords OF the Municipal court Of this city and to
Chief of Police King. Arrangements are being
made for using the entire police however, Of
the city and county in suppressing this evil.
Those who knowingly lease their property for
this purpose well as the keepers of these
houses will be prosecuted to the fullest extent
OF the law. May we count upon your co-opera-
tion in having them removed from the houses
under your care. Respectfully, ETC.,
VIM. McK1BB1N.
gentleman who is a policy holder of one of
the de1nora1ized life companies now wishes he
had turned s'deaf ear to the agents tale of
enormous dividends and had procured his
policy of the New England Mutual, of Boston,
company whose quiet, steady growth under
conservative management, has convinced him
that this was the company to have chosen then,
and that he 1uil insure aUith 1t no1y. There are