The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-28
SOME NAUGHTY PICTURES.

The Aldermen Work Themselves into "A
White Heat of Their Exhibition.
Charles Colbert, who conducts a saloon
on Rodney street, will undoubtedly be glad
that he was not present at the council meet
ing of last night when he learns that he re-
ceived a scorching from Aldermen Steele,
Connolly, Dunn, Theme and Gallagher.
This quintette stood as a minority, but the
force of til II r .lmsnts brought the ma
iority to q ] al. zation of the situation and
forced it to bow 70 the will of public seriti-
ment, which was represented by the five
aldermen mentioned. Alderman Thompson
was on the fence and MANAGED to put his
foot in it before he changed his views.
Alderman Dunn opened the ball by call
ing the attention of the council to the fact
that public decency was being shocked by
an exhibition of nude art at the place men,
toned. He did not object to this if prop
erly condE cted, but he did object to having
those pictures SO displayed that they stood
boldly before the gaze of school children
and women who pass that way in great
numbers, and he said the council would be
doing Il good act in having it stopped.
Alderman Connolly said that Mr.. Colbert
ought to be ashamed of himself; he had
aeen the pictures. his attention having been
called to them, and he said they had already
contaminated the morals of children who
should not see them.
While Alderman Steele had nothing
against Mr.. Colbert, he said he had no word
of favor against a man so lost to decency
and he should be punished and arrested.
Here the city attorney being called upon
read n section of an ordinance which max g
he exhibition in public places of nude
pictures. punishable by a fine; "then let us
order the marshall continued DR.. Steele,
ito enforce the ordinance, and / put that
in the form of a motion"
Alderman Lissner said he could not see
anything wrong with the pictures and said
the council could net make him do anything
with them. Mr.. Colbert had lived here
twenty-seven years and was never arrested
in his life. "Why. in the old country-in
Germany" said he. you may see those
pictures on the streets and cross-streets;
don't care if my children see them.'
Alderman Thompson said he did not
want to see Mr.. Colbert arrested, either;
but he differed with Alderman Lissner
about the pictures and reminded him that
the civilization of this country was not SC
far advanced as that of Germany-a much
older country; also thar the training OF
children in that country is perhaps OF a
different class than ours.f He thought,
however, that Mr.. Colbert might be re.
quested to piece curtains Oh his windows &c
hide the pictures from the gaze of children,
! tAcu L1ONS0 w dAucAu LIE. k0teclt b mo
tion to that effect.
Alderman Theme thought that if the or
dinance WIS on the book it should be en-
forced, or what is the use Of having ordin-
ances. He did not believe in compromis.
ing.
Alderman Lissner again reminded the
alderman that Mr.. Colbert had resided here
twenty-seven years and paid a good deal OF
money to the city.
Alderman ~Steele-Then If he has lived in
n respectable community twenty sever
years. he has been here long enough tc
know better and l say let us see if we can't
punish him.
Alderman Connolly thought the matter
had been sufficiently discussed and called
for the question. Lissner called for The
ayes and noes md the question. shall the
marshal enforce the ordinance, was put:
Ayos-Connolly, Steele, Theme, Gala
CHER, Dunnj.
Noes-Lissner. Spencer, Hartwig, Brown
Richards, Wilmer, Thompson.
Acknowledgement and Hanley.
Alderman Theme then moved to law the
matter on the table. II don's want nc
dilly-dallying about this matter" said he,
II am willing to let this matter he settled
now by public opinion"
Dunn-If the aldermen want TO permi
the public exhibition OF indecent pictures
let them 60 ahead, but as long as I can pre-
vent 1t, m going to.