The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-04-13
FACTS PLAINLY STATED.

The Oregonian Of Tuesday contains
the following editorial under the cap
ton IA Moral Spasm", 1t states the
facts Of the case and the universal ex-
perience SO plainly that 1t is given en-
tire:
Astoria Is thrilling with an orgasm
Of moral reform, which the most san
guine citizens hope may last three
weeks. The saloons were closed on
Sunday by police order. The dlrec-
tors OF the leading social club are IN
der arrest for permitting sale Of liquors
and play at billiards on Sunday.
Twenty-Five ladies who carry on a re-
tail traffic opposed by morality and
forbidden by law are In confinement
or under bail, and as many men have
been arrested for gambling or for
being proprietors of houses where
gambling is carried on" It Is not
quite clear whether persons of the last
category are owners OF the premises
rented by gamblers or only the pro-
prietors Of the outfits and tenants of
the buildings. 1t does not appear that
the landlords of the prosecuted ladies
have been arrested, still the arrest of
the club directors seems to prove that
the moral epidemic Is no respecter of
of persons. Perhaps, IL the landlords
have not been arrested, they will be.
This is very wholesome and crafty
ing. 1t will make Astoria q p~leasanter
home for Its w citizens, a helpful eX-
ample for other cities an edifying
example for all nations, while the
moral epidemic lasts. 1t is desirable
that 1t should endure without limit,
Nearly all the things undertaken to
be prohibited are bad In themselves
or hurtful in their influence, Open
saloons on Sunday are IN evil thing,
not because 1t Is a crime to drink or
sell liquor, but because they tend par
ticularly to disorder on a day which Is
one of idleness for most Of their pat
rons, as well as a day Of religious
ceremonial for another large class, and
disorder breeds crime The Sunday
closing of saloons is a wholesome meas-
ure OF police prevention. 1t is true
that the sale of liquor in a private club
house to members does not tend to
public disorder, but 1t is probable that
the arrest of the club directors is not to
be taken seriously.
The other practices for which Astori-
ans of both genders are temporarily
restrained Of their liberty are essen
TALLY evil and ought not to exist.
Gambling Is irredeemably demoraliz-
ing. At its best. 1t 10 a form OF theft
and at its worst It Is mere swindling
and moral debauchery. The traffic of
the brothel Is infamous. These things
ought to be completely %extirpated, in
Astoria and everywhere else. The city
authorities Of Astoria, who are trying
to abolish them there, and the good
citizens who encourage the authori-
ties, deserve nothing but praise for
their public virtue and civic courage.
They deserve all success In their earn
est attempt to make Astoria u moral
city, II would be a good thing for the
city and the rest Of oregon and the
world as we'll II they would maintain
there forever the holy calm and lovely
freedom from all forms OF vice which
made Astoria a terrestrial paradise last
Sunday.
But good people do not get what they
deserve In this world, and It Is impos-
sible to hope that the moral reformers
Of Astoria will be able to keep the pub
lie morals Of that place up to the pitch
OF last Sunday, wen for the minimum
term Of three weeks. Whatever the re-
suit Of the coming trials. It is dismally
probable that. long before that time
shall pass, the saloon will be again !