The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-12-11
H0eDLUMS.
Some Just and Sensible Criticisms


somewhat exercised over the deyel-
opment of dangerous and disturb
Ing element of society for which
they were at a loss to find a name.
However their innate Yankee in
genuity came to their rescue, and |
they styled this new element hood
lums," and designated the traits of
character peculiar to it as "hood- |
lumlsm. The "hoodlums" madel
themselves notorious for their utter
disregard Of the principles of law
and order, and appeared to disdain
and to hold in contempt the habits,
customs and usages which, at all
times, give evidence Of culture and
good breeding. AS a natural .conse-
quence the "hoodlum" element be-
came a source of much annoyance
to the higher and more refined
classes of society, and it was some
time before any effective measures
were adopted with a view to sup-I
press it and to curtail it's influence.
In their misguided imagination the
"hoolums had mistaken license for
liberty, and had suffered themselves
to believe that as nothing had been
done to curb them at the outset, they
might continue their defiance of law
and order with impunity, and even
add crime to crime.
Happily, however, a reaction fol-
lowed, and the principles of light
were again made to prevail, but not
until great deal of suffering had
been entalled in one way or another
on the persons, property and feel
iings of good and we'll disposed citi-
zens. To belong to the "hoodlums,'
then, is certainly an unenviable and
undesirable position.
| 1T is thought by many, and [ am
not sure but [ am Of the number,
that there are evidences of the ex-
istence of similar element in our
midst, only lacking the boldness at
present, which, if once acquired,
would tend to make its influence
formidable and dangerous. Cne of
these evidences is the supreme dis
regard for the feelings and princi-
pies of others, which is exhibited by
the large number of boys and young
men who usually congregate around
the entrance to places of public
worship, and, IN utter defiance of all
that has been taught them to the
contrary, rudely and shamelessly
puff clouds Of tobacco smoke into
the faces of those who are passing
in to attend the services.
Another evidence of the existence
Of hoodlumism is the fact that in
some places Of worship the singing
Of the opening hymn is the signal
for q general rush Of the above
named boys and young men into the
house of God with a noise and a
lclamOr which may well be termed
I"sacrilegious."
1t is certainly not an evidence of
Igood breeding that the smoking is
Inow abandoned for the equally of
fensive habit TO many of chewing,
and the consequent expectoration of
large quantities of defled saliva on
to the floor; and sometimes, / fear,
On to the apparel of their neighbors.
Neither is it sign of culture or
tsmartness that, during the progress
of the services, the speakers are
frequently interrupted, or fat least
lannOyed, by the half-audible Cat
times altogether audible) converse
ltion of the intruders. Nor is this
all. The "hoodlums," for such in
truth they are, resort to all sorts of
tricks and cOntrivances to amase
themselves during the continuance
of the services, and it is not at all
to their credit that their devices are
sc directed as to designedly annoy
those who have assembled there for
a better and nobler purpose.
Service ended, the same unSeemly
"croWd" is to be found at the door,
each one emitting clouds of smoke
as before. If not at the door, you
will find them on the fOot-bridge at
the corner, rudely discussing such
remarks as may have caught their
attention during the services, and
from the station they had taken on
the bridge, forcing ladies and others
leither to leap the ditch, OF failing in
the attempt, to fall therein.
ILLS it not species Of "hoodlumism'
| to carry off the gates of peaceable
citizens at night? Is it not indica-
tive of "hoodlum" propensities to
Idisturb people by shouting and
yelling on the streets, occasionally
| breaking out into snatches Of ribald
Isongs? Without stopping TO enume-
rate the many other evidences we
have of the presence of this element
lat the theatre, at the dance, at all
public gatherings, in fact, every
where, it is possible for them to
create annoyance. [ think it must
be admitted that we have at least a
share of this element in our midst
land what are we going to do about
lit? / would like to see public
lopinion aroused in the matter, as
am sure there is a sufficient number
of law-abiding citizens to crush
"hoodlumism" as it exists here to-
day, if they will only interest them
selves in its exterpatiOn. Let those
who desire order, bring to the notice
| of those whose duty it is t.
obtain it, every wilful and fragrant
violation thereof. Let those wheSt
duty it is to administer Justice il
such cases deal summarily and ear
nestly with the offenders. and thu:
Iimpress them with the dignity anC