The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1879-09-18
A Delicate Topic
AUSTIN, September IS, 1879.

AUSTIN, September IL, 1879.
Editors Democratic Statesman:
The following literary moIsel is to
he found IN the Journal of the House
OF Representative Of the First l. 'gis-
lature, page JIl. It is couched in hap
by style, and embOdies certain aesthet-
zeal, though trite, sentiments, with pc
culia- intensity. The theme cannot
be too conspicuously dweit upon, when
chastity Is becoming thing of yOre;
sni Haunting OF the las. horrid fact
might promote commendabie Iecodi-
meDt, even in Austin, for the pame of
the capital city abroad is becoming
synonymous with the deadliest social
corruption. /. appears that the author,
on account Of his gifted pen, wrote
many OF the reports Of the committees
% which he was a member, though not
slways chairman. as in this instance.
Investigation does not disclose the
nature OF the bill adversely reported
upon. The fact of the adoption Of the
report in the journal indicates the es-
timst.nn Of the document Mr.. White
moved that 100 copies of the report he
printed and placed in the banda Of the
Secretary Of State, as literary work,
to lie exchanged with other counties
for works Of like character.
y. G.. Y. & Co.
COMMITTEE Room, !
April %, 1916.
To ihe Honorable the Speaker OF the House OF
Representatives
The Committee on Internal Improve
ments have duly and deliberately con-
sidered Gan act for the better protec-
ton of females" Ansb instruct me to
report on behalf OF the committee:
They view the abstract question,
the chastity of females, rs one deserv-
ing the highest regard; and each mem
interest in guarding well the fair fame
Of Code lat, best gIit 10 man."
They dep!ore sincerely that the
tongue nf the slanderer should ever
violate the pure shrine of female virtue !;
and they regret still more that in the
present state Of society the whole sex
are not like Cn,ar's wife-Habove GUS
picinn."
1t may be we'll said of woman that
her only treasure is spotless reputation,
deprive her of this gem and she is
'poor indeed" The slanderer OF fe-
male fame is net inferior in deprsvity
to him who coldly and deliberately &C.
duces confiding woman, who IN the
warmth OF her imprisoned devotion
gloves, not wisely, but too we'll" The
heart of woman when the sacred light
of an unsuilIed conscience 10 denied,
becomes
"A dreary waste, without sun.
For dire despair to feed upon."
The committee deeply sympathise
with that peculiarly unfortunate class
of females against whom the imputa-
ton of a want of chastity, is no SLAM
der. 1t has been we'll SAID or sung,
that
when lovely woman stOops 10 folly,
And finds too late that men betray;
No cnarm can soolhe her melancholy
No art can wipe her tears away"
Your committee are sorry that in this
enlightened DAY the character OF
woman is not held in as high esteem as
in the age of chiYalry, when the
knight Grant was her protection. They
are impressed with the belief that
public opinion governs in this matter,
as in most others affecting the morals
of the community. They admit that
it would be high and meritorious act
of legislation if a law conld be en-
acted which would effectually prevent
the evil and secure the good contem-
plated by the bill. But they are in-
clined to think that no modest woman
would desire to bring her character
into court and submit the question of
her cha tity to the investigation of q
judge and Jury. She would rather endure
her wrongs, if she had no avenger,
than to hold up her name to the jest
and ridicnle of the world. If there
be any of the sex, however, who desire
to avail themselves of legal remedy,
and enter the list of forensic warfare,
your committee believe that there ex-
lists sufficient remedy, atlaw already;
and that the bill in question proposes
no salutaTy amendment to the remedy.
They therefore recommend that the
bill he laid on the table.
Signed JAS. WILLIE,
One of the Committee.