, 1892-05-16
DOWN In THESLUFMS.
What a Tribune" Reporter Wit
messed in an Evening

ssBmstmess is Dull'' and Some of tine
solid Doves are Moving Gut OF
Town-What cam be Seen at the
END OH Main street.
cone half of the world does not know
how the other half liyes.'' Persons who
move in the upper classes of society know
little or nothing of the doings in the lower
classes. This is the case in cities more
than in towns and rural districts. In the
latter there is nearer social equality than
in the former.
A stroll through Olympia shows that
this city is throwing off Its town habili-
ments and partaking of the characteristics
of metropolitan life.
The city has not the dens Of vice and
iniquity that exist in larger places, but
there are practices and places of resort
that would shock the sentiments of large
portion Of our population.
A stroll along the foot of Main street
almost any evening after five o'clock will
find abandoned women in the street or in
front of their houses dressed in the scant
attire of the Mother Hubbard style. They
have not the boldness that characterizes
their class in larger places, but they indi-
cate too plainly that they desire the atten-
tions Of the opposite sex. A glimpse in
the saloons In that locality will find
some of them standing at the bar drinking
beer, or sitting at the piano or playing
violin. Besides soliciting the attentions
of the men, their presence draws kind of
custom to the saloon. After some laborers
have finished their days work, too many
of them seek these dives to enjoy the So
- L IL, 1, L1-
dreaming that the exhibition there is a
scheme to rob them of their hard-earned
money. Many wife in the city is ignor-
ant of where her husband passes the early
hours of the night.
AS a general thing these places are reas-
onably quiet. Fights are rare Some steal
ing may be done, but the lights are usually
passed in a mandlin mixture of wine, beer,
whisky, males, females, music, noise and
profanity.
How to deal with the ''social evil'' is
serious question for municipal govern
ments. Some cities kept the demi-monde
confined to certain Localities, to take care
of themselves, so long as no breaches of
peace are committed. Olympia has sys-
tenn of fines. Every two months they are
ordered by the chief of police to appear
before the police justice, where they are
fined SIS and costs, making total of $40.
The police justice pays this to the city
treasurer and reports monthly to the city
council. During the past few months 1t
has been difficult to collect the fines. Hard
times has an effect upon the business" Of
house of i'll repute, the same as upon a
legitimate business.
Persons in the higher walks of life, often
ask: Why don't the police put these
women in jail or run them out of town 2
The question is easy to ask. Experience in
all cities has been that the easiest way to
deal with the solid doves is the best way.
A rigid crusade against them, forces them
to make defense and stand a trial. Any
one of ordinary knowledge ofthe world can
comprehend the difficulty in proving case
against them before the average jury. A
crusade against them would cause them to
leave their houses and take private rooms
in other parts of the city, which would
make matters worse than now.
In all cities many of these unfortunate
women are more "sinned against than sim
ming" They have been brought to their
disreputable positions by the perfdy of
men, some of whom occupy prominent
places in business or politics.
Very few houses Of prostitution are in
the city now, and but few inmates. In
their line, if "buslness is dull" theysmove
on to another town, often times leaving un-
paid board bills and dresses in pawn. But
their places are taken by others. They go
where business is, and have "an eye to bus
iness.''