The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-03-11
ENFORCING THE ORDINANCES

ENFORCING TIE ORDINANCES
: The talk of the town at present is
the vigorous action on the part OF
the police officers in arresting gam
blers and prostitutes; and of course
there is a diversity of opinion on
the subject, though there can be but
lone opinion among all the better
classes OF citizens. Whether it is
: the intention or not, this recent &C
ton is construed as the commence
ment of a war upon these places
with a determination of perma-
nently suppressing them, if possible,
and if such be the intention it will
be applauded. Perhaps the most
effectual way of putting a stop to
prostitution. which has heretofore
run almost as though licensed, is that
now being pursued by Judge Piper
THAT of adding Imprisonment to
the fine. The old way of fine and
release was construed by the demi
monde themselves as sort of tax
or license which they were called
upon to pay periodically, and which
they did pay when called upon. OF
course, such practice was neither
prohibitory nor repreSsive in its
tendency. The new rule of i'm
prisonment, however, if continued,
is destined to go long way to cure
this evil which has now become
open and braZen-faeed. The girls"
will not remain in city where they
will be kept in Jail for consider
able portion of the year, and when
once convinced that the city is in
earnest, as a rule they will steer
clear of Salt Lake, and such as may
remain will be very cautious and
|secretiye in following their debasIng
vocation.
But if the city is bent on using its
energies in stopping prostitution, it
has still another means at its COM
mand which could be employed at
present in justice and with good
effect. Section /, chapter Al, relat-
ing to houses of ill-fame and prosti-
tuition, reads: THAT any person or
persons who shall be found guilty
of keeping, or shall be an inmate of,
any house of ill-fame or place for
practice of fOrnicatiOn, or adultry;
or knowingly own or be interested
as proprietor or landlord of any such
house; or any person or persons
harboring or keeping about his, her
or their, private premises any
WhOremaSter, Strumpet or whore,
knowing them to be guilty of fol-
lowing a lewd course of life, shall
be liable TO fine for each offense
not exceeding one hundred dollars,
or imprisonment not exceeding six
months, or both fine and imprisOn-
ment at the discretion of the court
having jurisdiction"
Under this, persons renting their
premises to individuals guilty of
the Offense provided against are
liable to punishment as severe as
those guilty of the infamous prac-
tice mentioned. 1t would not be
bad idea to infuse life into all of
this section, if the city is really in
earnest, in which event many of the
places now eligible for such pur-
poses would soon be closed against
this class of individuals.
In regard to gambling, the city
seems less energetic. 1t Is generally
conceded that while less pernicious
in its effects than the evil above
this is sufficiently bad.
1t is certainly growing evil, and
all legal means should be employed
to its suppression. Save where 1t is
licensed, no place could encourage
by the leniency with which
the otfense is treated more than
Salt Lake City. 1t is carried on
almost openly; and periodically the |
keepers are notified to appear before |
the police justice, which they do, |
and as they view it as a kind of
license or tax, they plead guilty, are |
fined, pay the amount and leave. |
If the city intends to remove all the |
evils possible, this is one that claims |
its attention, almost if not fully as
much. as the other; and perhaps the |
best way to cure this is found in the |
means adopted to cure prostitution |
add the Imprisonment penalty to |
the fire; and there will be less |
profit and less pleasure in running |
gaming houses. There are in this
city, fully five or six gambling dens.
and it is notorious fact that they |
are increasing in number, which
simply means an increase in the |
attending. However
shallow arguments may by in favor
Of houses of prostitution, they do
exist and are insisted upon by |
many; but in favor of gaming no
can be adduced, and there
IS no surer road to ruin for a young
man than by this means. 1t will be
4 wise step when the city makes a
resolute effort to close these places,
IS it is now doing to close houses OF
ll-fame, and there is fully as much
need for the one as the other.
The movement, if commenced
must be kept constantly going,
30 that it will clearly indicate that
t is no periodical spaSm which
will pass over in time, but
S a determined and persistent
Effort, unfinchingly and judiciously
carried out. Such a course, and
iuch only, will inspire confidence in
he work and fear in those against
whom the movement is directed.
Neither prostitutes nor gamblers
will then look upon their arrest as a
periodical call on them for a license
ZEE, but will comprehend that the
ordinance is to be enforced, not to
the treasury, but to repress
vii practices and dangerous ele-
nentS in our community. Both
wills are treated alike by the law;
n both the owners of houses in
which the offenses are committed
re liable, and it is but just that
10Th laws should be executed alike
.gainst ali-the offenders directly,
nd those indirectly by leasing or
enting places to persons who in