The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-03-15
THE EVILS OF DANCING.
THOMAS FAULKNER SETS THEM
FORTH IN PLAIN ENGLISH.

Wants Crusade Begun-He is nm
EXCHANGING Master and Has Pub
Ifshed a Book That Created a
Sensation in the East.
Thomas A. Faulkner, one of the
Southern California delegates to the
Worlds fair and author of the book
entitled From the Ballroom to Hell, 2
has just returned from Chicago, says
the Examiner
Mr.. Faulkner is the ex-president Of
the Pacific Coast Dancing Masters
association and the former proprietor
Iof the Los Angeles dancing academy.
He is a resident of Los Angeles and a
young man of about % years. His
book has been presented to the differ
|ent denominations in all of the large
eastern cities. 1t created agitation and
discussion in the Christian circles and
was the cause of severe criticism from
the liberal-minded. The ministers in
the east, irrespective of creed, took up
the subject with great earnestness and
a succession of sermons, lectures and
meetings were held at which the senti-
ment of the author was thoroughly in
dorsed
Not since Rulofson's Dance of
Death has book been published on
this subject that has met with such
widespread approval. The book is not
issued with the idea of profit, but for
the good its author hopes it will ac-
complish.
Copies We're presented to the Method
lst ministers at their regular meeting
yesterday morning. Copies will also
be presented to the Congregational
club, the Catholic clergy, the Baptist
Ministers association, the Presbyterian
Ministerial union and the Unitarian
society for their approval and in the
hope of eliciting their interest in a
local crusade against dancing, such as
has recently been carried on in eastern
cities.
WANTS TO CONVINCE THE PUB
Lie.
MY visit to this CITY," said Mr.
Faulkner yesterday, is for the sole
purpose of interesting the ministers,
and through them the public, in the
subject of dancing Some denomina-
lions. ministers and the minority of
private individuals do not oppose dane
ing because they known nothing of its
evil. They regard it merely as a
graceful accomplishment and innocent
amusement. If they were so situated
as to see its demoralizing influence as
j saw it, and as every dancing master
has the opportunity to see it, they
would be loud in denunciation. In
handling problem, and particularly
one based on the social evil, | do not
believe in allowing false modesty to
interfere. Facts are facts and the only
way to deal with them is with truth.
Il have no faith in suggestions or in
direct insinuations. Facts alone tell
Ny book is so pronouncedly outspoken
that it has caused me to be scathingly
criticised. The society ladies Of Los
Angeles answered the pamphlet in the
Los Angeles Sunday World and con-
demned me in scathing terms.
4 do not regard the people who advo-
cate dancing as morally corrupt, but
that they are ignorant of the ultimate
results of dancing. 1t is to parents
that | make the appeal and urge upon
them the folly of throwing their limo
cent daughters into temptation. / have
been teacher of dancing for six years,
during which time l held the Pacific
coast championship in round and fancy
dances. | am the originator of a num-
Der of the popular round dances in
present use.
AFFECTS THE IGNORANT AND ED
UCATED.
My pupils in Los Angeles were from
among the wealthy people who were
classed with the exclusive set. It is
generally conceded by the majority of
people when the evils of dancing are
brought up for discussion that it is only
the unrefned, low element that dane
ing morally Injuries. My theory is that
we are all human and what is morally
Injurious to the ignorant is equally so
to the educated. My experience, how
ever, was with the aristocrats. and
from constant observation l drew the
logical conclusion that they were not
any more impervious to the tempta-
tons of dancing than were the pie
beians
My crusade against dancing is
based on comprehensive knowledge
Of the subject, otherwise 1 would not
attempt it. After l became converted
it was impossible for me to continue as
a dancing master. I could in no way
effect a compromise between my pro
fession and my religion. I gave up a
lucrative business and resolved to de-
vote my means and the remainder of
my life to undoing, in a measure, the
evil | know 1 am responsible for in
having taught so many young people
to dance.
Il cannot begin to tell you of the
caused by this so-called innocent
amusement, that have come under my
personal observation. l used to watch
the young girls, and after a while made
them a study. They would come to
their first lesson with all the modesty
of a violet but when they grew accus-
toned to the privileges of the waltz
and had really learned to dance in the
true sense of the word, the winning
oh wit,
nocent bloom of youth. am in no way
a fanatic, but my knowledge is based
on what | have personally seen.
EASTERN PEOPLE WE'RE INTER-
ESTED.
Throughout The east l was cordial
ly received by the Christian people. In
many cities, particularly in Chicago
great interest was aroused and people
began TO Investigate the subject from
a logical standpoint. Mass meetings
were held in several towns in southern
Illinois and the tone of public senti-
ment underwent revision. The great
est opposition l have encountered has
come from society women. They nobly
stand up for their sex and will not adj
nit of its being susceptible to any de-
moraliZing influence. They call discus
sion on this subject unnecessary and
out of place and under the cover of re-
fnement would ignore an evil that is
causing the ruin of thousands of girls.
In direct opposition to their business,
and strange as it may seem, / have
received Endorsements of my work from
the most noted professors of dancing
in the country.
Il am preparing another book bear
ing on the same subject and intend
writing and circulating this class of
editions as long as there is any chance
Of doing good. My stay in this city
is uncertain, but I hope to remain a
sufficient length of. time to see a move
ment started against dancing by the
Christian people of this city similar to
the ones in the East"