The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-16


events of the time live in a pessimistlc at
mosphere, and usually manage to persuade
themselves that the country is going to the
devil, his views should be taken, possibly,
with some grains OF allowance: But, that
what he has said cannot be wholly unworthy
of notice, is sufficiently shown by the fact
of so important body of men having asked
him to express himself on the subject, while,
if any further proof of this were needed, it
is found, surely, in the widespread interest
awakened. The testimony of Admiral Rice,
COMMUNICATIVE chief at Sheerness, who fol-
lowed this witness was apparently rebuttal
in its nature, though the two were agreed on
the main question. He did not think so
many as 10000, or 10000 troops could be
landed on the shores of England without at
tracing attention, but he was not sure that
from 5000 to 10000 could not be, as there
were, he said, many points on the southern
and eastern coasts which would offer facili-
ties for such landing. In regard to the ex-
pediency of constructing tunnel, the Admit
raj said he did not think the results to be de-
rived would justify such work. adding, as
SOD to the feeling of national security that
pervades all classes here, that so long as they
had no tunnel, and had an efficient naval
force ahoat, no invasion of the country that
could do any harm would be possible.
A DELICATE QUESTION.
Another question occupying public atten-
ton, and in which, also, as in that of the
Channel tunnel, the naval and military forces
have a special interest, is the question of
whether the contagious diseases acts, passed
some years ago for the protection of the SOL
diers and sailors in the principal naval and
garrison stations of the kingdom, and which
are said to have done so much good, but
which were recently rendered imperative by
the resembling of the compulsory examine
tinr1 olanoa shall 0Ontipno in THAR
state of inefficiency or be restored to their
former condition of strength and usefulness
Those specially concerned like military Off
| GERS, and the magistrates in the towns where
the acts have been in force, are amazed and
shocked at the action of Parliament, and
though the resolution which took the teeth
out of these acts was carried by good ma
jority, and had, withal, the support of the
government they are hopeful that somehow
a reconsideration will be secured and the
| fearful mistake, as they regard it, corrected.
The great difficulty in the discussion
delicate nature, and one can, from
this fact, readily see the force
of the charge made by the defenders of the
acts, that their opponents knew little or
nothing of their beneficial results.
But the. columns of the press have
been thrown open to the con-
troversy during the last few weeks and
scintillations of valuable information are
| flying around and the main question being
one in which every civilized state has deep
interest, viz: the regulation OF the social
evil, this discussion, treating, though 1t
does, of matters usually spoken of in bated
breath, will inevitably be reflected in the
pages of those who write for the foreign
press. The latest contributor to the current
literature of this delicate subject, is Lord
Lifford. This gentleman having been chair
man of a select committee of the House of
Lords, to inquire into the wording of these
acts is in a position to know whereof he
speaks, and he certainly has the weight of
some startling facts on his side. To show
the increased efficiency of the British forces
by land and sea, under the acts, he gives one
anecdote that speaks volumes: A few years
ago one of her Majesty's ships sailed from
Plymouth, he says passenger on board
asked the Trst lieutenant, relative of Lord
Lifford, 'how many of the men used to be
imcapacitated on leaving Plymouth before
these acts were in force?' The answer was
about half The ships company" And
how many now?' inquired the passenger.
The lieutenant answered, 'One." In the
they chiefly effect, the acts, his Lord
ship claims, have been sue
cessful beyond the anticipation
of their supporters, and he gives a few fig
ures in proof of this statement. One of the
saddest considerations in these matters. he
Ten11nQS Is the 6ACT6IU6 youth OF MANY
of the persons affected by them. In 1866,
two years before the committee of the House
of Lords, and the consequent extension of
the operation of the acts, there were in the
protected districts sos unhappy persons
under the age of eighteen, two OF them being
under tine age of thirteen years. In 1875
this number was reduced to fifty-two
From Davenport alone 125 such persons
under the age of twenty-one years. were re-
turned to their friends in consequence of
1.-THE observation of the police" Add to
| this says the writer, the proved deterrent
effect of the laws on persons of the above
ages, and you will have some insight into
the great good effected. What Lord Lifford
has to say regarding the effect of the laws
upon the more hardened classes can DE best
put in his own language. THE number of
persons coming under the provisions of the
acts from the time they were put into opera
ton until March 26, 1870, was 1895. OF
these 55S left the protected districts, 1856
! married 451 entered homes, and !, 249 were
restored to their friends Surely this was
Christian work, whether by the nation or
by the individuals who promoted it. But
the question may be asked, How was this
done? To understand this, 1t must be borne
in mind that before the passage of these acts,
and now outside their operation, most of
these miserable persons have no choice be-
tween sin and starvation. pause in their
career, time for reflection, kindness to which
they are totally unused, and religious
instruction to those who know no religion,
all which they found in the compulsory hos
pitfalls, have reclaimed many OF the most de-
PRAYED 1t may be said that all this might
be effected by the acts emitting the COM
pulsory clause, the operation of which has
for the time been suspended by the House
Of Commons. This is not the fact. ALI x-
perence has proved the contrary. 1t was
tried under the act of 1864, and it failed
completely In fact, without that crucial
clause, the acts are nullity and sham and
had better be altogether abandoned"
Lcri Lifford continues his plea by show
ing that the majority of the victims who fall
a prey to death from the disease which these
acts seek to control are innocent children,