The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-11-03

through the streets of Paris. while the
crowds throng ng the pavements hailed her
with acclamations Of Joy! Now France
proposes to enter upon q crusade against
prostitution. The same days dispatches
winch brought US word of the movement
against the social evil in Germany also in
formed US that Minister FALLIEREE had
introduced in the Chamber of Deputies a
Dill placing the promoters of prostitution
under the vagrant act penalty; and prom.
lsed that future bill to be introduced into
the chamber should aim at the entire sup
preston of prostitution.
| 1t Will be interesting 20 note the result of
these movements and observe the degree of
success that shall attend them. That the
EFFORT to suppress this evil which is ours
ing the human race and literally poisoning
the LIES blood of the nations is worthy of
all commentator goes without the saying
but standing as we do in the light of past
experience, we cannot feel entirely free
from doubt as to the success of the contem-
plated crusade unless there shall be a
radical change in the class of legislation
and the methods Of applying it. Hitherto
have been too one-sided. They have been
made strong enough to eaten and hold and
punish the fallen women whenever it
pleased those entrusted with their execu-
ton TO enforce them: but to the fallen men
who are equally or even more responsi-
BILE fo- the existence of this
great evil of which even the
etfete nations of the Old World
stand appalled,, the laws enacted for its
suppression are but cobwebs to be broken
through with the greatest ease. Candidly
we are of the opinion that legislation can
DO but little towards the suppression of the
great crime of prostitution, even though it
goes back 10 the brutality of middle ages
as the Emperor of Germany really pro-
poses to do-and establishes the whipping
post at which To punish vioIators of such
legislation. We believe the state is linn
lted both in Its power and right to deal
with this evil; and at best all it can do is
TO aid other efforts that should be put forth
to destroy this most baneful of all evils.
But whatever is done by legislation should
apply with equal force to both men and
women. The punitive lash should fall on
both male AID female shoulders, only more
force should be in the hand when admins
tered to the former.
Ii any real. permanent reform is to be
inaugurated in respect to this evil In Ger
many or France or Salt Lake Or anywhere
else, the conscience of society no less than
that of government must be aroused TO it.
From time whereof the memory of man
runneth not TO the contrary, society has
punished fallen women severely. 1t has
utterly closed its doors-and that rightfully
against the admission of the harlot. To
speak her name it has made shame, and
doomed her to abiect wretchedness, from
ali of which even repentance seams not TO
have the power to redeem her. 1t is easier
for camel to go through the eye of a
needle than for fallen woman to raise
herself from her low estate to that of cur
rent respectability in society. But while
society is thus severe with the harlot. it
is strangely tolerant of her consort
and of the frequenter of brothels. For
MIN the doors of society are not only left
aIar, but thrown wide open. His moral
slips are excused; his peccadillos are themes
for mirth and laughter; his debauchery
evidence of dash and spirit rather than of
moral depravity; with front unbashed he
may enter the portals Of any family in the
land and aspire to become the husband of
the fair and pure; and if he shall but have
plenty of the mammon of this world about
him, scheming mammas will not be want
Ing who will be anxious to form matrimo-
NAL alliances with him for their daughters.
moral leper though they know him to be.
Who will say that the conduct of society
in this is right? Who has yet given good
reason why the ha-lot should be scorned
and Ina ulted as the vilest of her sex, while
her male consort well nigh escapes all CEN
sure! Why should the latter find an easy
access into society," while to the former its
doors are eternally barredl Whv
should the harlot be consid-
cred altogether untitled and IN
worthy-as she is--to be a wife for orr
sons, while her male companion is often
thought desirable match for our virtuous
daughters: But would you have society,s
punishment of the harlot lighter than it is
Would you have her treated as her male
consort Isl No, that were impossible. II
ought not to be; but the male debauchee
should receive the same punishment at the
hands of society that the harlot does. Let
both be oanished, and let the branding iron
burn the mark OF shame as deeply upon the
brow OF one IS it does upon the other
When society is prepared to take this step.
legislation On the subject while it may not
be able to abolish the evil, will at least be
able to lessen it considerably.