Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-08-08
Another Citizen Heard From.

To the Editor of the Globe Republic
| am glad to see that a correspondent of
the old reliable GLoBE-REPUBLIC has be-
gun war on the houses of ill-fame; and
why shouldn't we all rejoice? Ii is we'll
known fact that such houses are springng
up in all sections of the city, and right in
the very heart of the most respectable neigh
bOrhoods. Is it possible that people have
to put up with such nuisances, with a
Mayor and at least thirty officers, in city
the size of Springfield
In conversation with well-known and
solid business man, the other day, | ven
tured to ask:
why is it that this city is so terribly in
tested with houses of ill-fame ?"
why" says he, you certainly ought
to be able TO solve that problem. For years
it has been the custom of Mayors to give
such people the lowest fine possible under
the law, and by so doing they always pay
the tine and costs and come again This
fact has become well circulated in Cincin-
natl, Cleveland, Columbus and Xenia, and
when il gets too hot for the vile
creatures in those cities, Spring
field always has her arms
extended TO receive them with-a dollar
and costs. Why, only last Sunday was
walking out near the Fair grounds. when
was accosted by two of these brazen-faced
beauties (?D; one of them said to me. in
the well-known slang manner of the demi-
monde, .Ah there, my Gussie y and when
did not reply, and walked OH about my bus
mess. the other, big, haxen-haired, rather
fair-looking blonde, exclaimed, Stay there
my chestnut" But such is life in Spring
field
| asked the gentleman why he didn't file
complaint against them.
File complaint h-ades! What good
would il do? 1t would simply enrich the
mayor and marshal, and give the poor city
one dollar. What is one dollar to this city
when We have TO keep up R large police
force, four fire engine houses, and thou
sand'and one other expenses ? These crea-
lures should be fined from twenty-five to
nifty dollars every time they come before
the mayor. and if this does not drive them
to other fields, the city should build a
work-house, and do them up after the fash
ion of Judge Fitzgerald, of Cincinnati. A
good work-house and police Judge are
what this city is sadly In need of
| then asked what was the highest fine,
under the city ordinance, that could be i'm
posed on keepers and inmates OF houses of
ill-fame.
Il believe" said he, fifty dollars and
costs is the limit, but there is a state law in
regard TO this matter, and l have often
wondered why Constable Vanderberg didn't
take advantage of it, Van is one of the
flyest and best eonstables we have ever had,
but he would do well TO pay a little more
attention to home affairs, even if he does
have to give the woods loiterers' little
rest. will 20 up and get the state law on
this subject and you can see for yourself
what it is"
He then went up into well known at
torney's office and brought down a book
the Revised Statutes of Ohi0-and showed
me the following:
Sec. 1925. "A house or building used or
occupied as house of i'll fame. or for the
purpose of prostitution, is public nuisance;
and whosOeyer keeps house of i'll fame.
resorted to for the purpose Of prostitution
or lewdneSs, or lets house TO be so kept,
or knowingly permits house which he has
let to be SO kept, shall be fined not more
than one hundred dollars, or imprisoned not
more than six months, or both; and the
court may order that the nuisance be
abated"
And so, Mr.. Editor, the owners, as well
as the occupants, OF these houses, can be
fined and imprisoned. Why have not our
gallant mayOrs-nearly all of them first
class attOneys-neyert thought of this thing?
Why fas the state law never been en-
forced against the property owners who
rent their houses for the purpose of prosti-
tutien. Has any citizen of Springfield, who
desires TO see these houses abolished, the
courage to 60 and file affidavits against
these human leeches-the owners of the
the state law? and IL they |
should do so, and convict the parties, will |
the convicted ones get the full extent of the |
sw? am sure they would not If tried be- |
fore the mayor; but / believe seriously. |
hat il these people were arrested under the |
state law and taken before either of our
worthy justices of the peace they would re-
,eive their just deserts.
| will end this article by calling Constable ,
Vanderburg's especial attention 10 section |
035, revised statutes of Ohio, and sincerely
nope that he will show the people what .
lind of mettle there is in him. Let this et-
icient and worthy constable jump right on
o these sinners with both feet, and | am
ure the good people Of the Champion City
will stay with him. JUSTICE.
Cleveland has not been able to veto the
resence of the mother-in-law In the very