Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-12-08
THE GRAND JURY REPORT.
An Investigation Into the City's
Moral. CruSade-A Burn.
lug Up For the Police.


N N presented the following report of thei
m special investigation into the recent cru
N SADIE by the city officials 'sin the interes
n of virtue and morality:
!, n Hon. c. s. lane, Judge, Third Distric
n Court
Your Grand Jury herewith returns two
indictments for conspiracy, four indict
/. ments for keeping houses of ill-fame, UNI
der the Territorial laws, and one indict-
ment for carrying on business as retail
liquor dealer without payment of the spe-
& cial tax therefor under the law OF Con-
gress.
In connection Herewith we deem it
cur duty to specially report as follows:
Since the year A. d. 1876, there has
been statute of the Territory prohibit
ing the keeping of, residing in, or resort
ing to houses of ill-fame for the purposes
OF prostitution or lewdness (See Com
Laws, p. 603.) During a great part, If
not all, of the period, ordinances of the
municipality of Salt Lake City upon the
same subject have been in existence.
Under these ordinances few weeks
ago
NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS WE'RE IN
STITUTED
Under circumstances which very gener
ally attracted public attention These
proceedings were summarily brought to
an end because of a ruling of this Court,
determining the question of law immedi-
ately involved adversely to the city. The
attention OF the Grand Jury, as well as
the public, was, however, directed to
certain matters connected with these
prosecutions, and in the discharge of our
duty, as understood by us, we have in
vestigated the same as thoroughly as the
means at our command would permit.
Officers OF the county and city govern
ments, together with private citizens,
have appeared before us and been sworn
and examined, and the present result of
our inquiry is embodied in indictments
herewith returned. We are not content,
however, to pass the matter over without
further and emphatic expression condem-
natory of the methods and practices here
matter mentioned.
Some time in April or May last
AN OFFICER OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT,
Not connected with the police, with others
at present unknown to the Grand Jury,
OF designation and ill-fame within the
city limits, for the avowed purpose of
entrapping weak and vicious persons
into the commission of offenses against
chastity and morality, in order that all
such might be exposed and punished in
the courts. This scheme involved the |
renting and fitting up of houses for the
purpose, the employment of public and |
private prostitutes, the conversion of the |
police bureau into nest of spoilers and |
spies, and the expenditure of large sum
OF money.
For years there have been
wELL-KNowN HOUSES OF PROSTITUTION IN
SALT LAKE,
Which have been under police surveil-
lance, and at stated periods have con-
tributed materially to the revenues of
the municipality. Several of these houses
are situated on the main and prominent
streets of the city, and with their keep
ers and proprietors have been and are by
reputation generally known in the com
munity. We do not understand that the
scheme above mentioned contemplated
the investigation of these places, nor the
enforcement of the law against those who ;
resided therein OF resorted thereto for ;
purposes of prostitution or lewdness. On ;
the contrary, as appears by the evidence {
before us, the plan was conceived and ;
carried into effect without reference to s
the suppression of existing nuisances, but {
with the design of using the criminal law 6
as |
And with the object, in part at least, of :
creating great public scandal. In pur-
'uance OF this scheme, houses were rent !
ed and furnished on West Temple street,
lnd women placed in possession thereof. :
these houses were so altered and arranged
n their interior that persons could be
placed to observe all that transpired ?
within, and every member of the police q /,
orce OF Salt Lake City, with two honor q
bile exceptions, John, Y Smith and II
William Calder, volunteered his services $
S spy and lnformer in aid of the con-
piracy. The women were hired to per- d :.
orm their parts. and their eXertions
by the promise of exorbitant
ums for their success in entrapping high
fficlals. One of these creatures was
romised 81 900 in the event of her being ia
BILE to draw the Governor of the Terri !.
Dry into her tolls. In the course of -. ~,
heir operations, these women conveyed "
oTEs OF INVITATION TO MANY PROMINENT pc
OFFICIALS
nd citizens, requesting interviews on to
lslness at the places designated. The re
flowing, leaving the names blank, is Isl
lmple OF these notes, delivered by mes
niger boys. ls(
SALT LAKE Cry, July %, 1885, CO
DEAR SIR-f convenient, I would be
eased to have you call to see me this after
ION or about dusk this evening. want to
you on particular business Please send
swer by messenger boy when you will call. tn,
Respectfully, :,
We are informed by persons engaged in low
is Infamous plot, that from their secret r,
SITS OF observation they, from time to ret
ne, personally witnessed all that took ].
ice in apartments in these houses
lted by men and women, who were
ak and depraved enough to respond to ,
opportunities presented to them.
nee noted for f,,,,,ra -. anu .ile eVi- Def
When the exposure of this conspiracy
S at hand the houses were closed. :,
ONE WOMAN WAS SENT TO CALIFORNIA .
on ticket furnished her. Another W.
driven to Francklyn by police "
Ger who had previously purchased her for
cket, and then took the train for Dem D. D.
under an assumed name. a IAh
Inc OF these women was paid by the '" q
otficial above referred to $500 or 5000 a. ~
the other 500 for her services sl.e
len the women were safe out of the n n..'l
rltory complaints We're filed, warrants fnno
led and arrests made and the com i iG,I
nifty thrown into state of excitement ny ~
alarm. The money employed in this 70 "
eme we are told by its prime mover. w.