The Coconino weekly sun., 1895-03-07
"CIVIC FAULTS"
Continued from first page.

tnut hre lO Uc lpuuu III lHlS lltlic west ern town, which they expected to find so crude and unsettled in social aud re- lg'ous lines.
 With these claims must be asso- ciated, however, some facts which stand out as great plots upon our SO cial advantages --''civic faults" foi which we blush with shame. It is a matter of public knowledge (and that from statutes recently enacted) thai we license and receive revenue from 'the social evil" Over the doors oi houses (not homes) will be seen tht signs which designate proprietors and inmates, not homemakers. Christ in His infinite mercy and desire to save unto the uttermost said to the errine woman, "Go, and sin no more;" but we iu this Christian land and our town of homes, of which we are so proud, say, "Go, and sin. We will llcenst your sin and you pay us for it." h. the name of all that is merciful and right cannot we rise to the dignity ot sef-respect and blot out this evil, no in malice or unreasoning determina
 
 protectionp It is to self interest fol the preservation of all that is sacred and valuable in one civic life, aud it i, in mercy to the fallen and weak mem bers of our population tha! this mon, ster evil should be destroyed. Our town council, in its ordinances jusi passed, has won high appreciation for the good enactments passed, and if our honor and reputation in this re- spcct will now be cleared the citizens will voice their approval of the action in saying, Well done." Lii c1lu motto, .Fearless and faithful to d. the right as God gives us to see the right" is the standard for public office in our town and county which will win for Flagstaff and Coconino ga name and fame" to be enyed. With improved moral tone and true legisa- tion on this subject will come an inn proved social condition generally. The separation of those lawfully mar red aud the alarming number of di- gvorce proceedings, will be greatly les sened. As a matter of official record, open to public knowledge, there are now eight suits for divorce upon the calendar to be tried at the next session of our county court. And in less than two years of the history of our new county there have been eighteen di- vorces applied for. This means sor- TOW and disapr ointed lives to fifty ma ture citizens of our community and who will know to how many children. Every reader of these facts will say this is indeed a calamity and a bane to our civic life. This condition ofaifairs can be improved. Our legislature has just taken one step in raising the age of consent from II to IS years of age, The seriousness aud permauence ofsthe marriage relation can be taught and preached, and divorce laws can be i'm proved and contract marriage abol- ished. The ministers of almost all churches will not marry those divorced, except on the ground which Scripture teaches as lawful, and all Christian ministers can be brought to hold to this position.
 Social proprieties must be drawn more closely The women of any com munity have committed into their hand the settling of the social tone and standard. If our true, refined women. will refuse acquaintance and any social attention from men who lead vicious and dissipated lives, the men will rise to the high standard which this de- mauds. In order that this may be attained miscellaneous gatherings in the ball room or elsewhere will have to be dscouutenanced, and our best homes will have to be opened more for entertainment and the encouragement of righ;-minded young men. We know. that we have the people in our town to give this stamp to our social life. While there is DO excuse or de- fcnse for aristocratic distinctions or putting on superior airs there is every reason for true social prOprietics, and moral distinctions.
 have herein endeavored to point out truths on the subject with which this article is headed-'.Civic Faults" Unless have stated facts, and unless for one individual citizen I am doing all in my power to remedy them as see them, had no right to write as have done. But in the conscious. ness that the representations given are wholly honest and fair, and that in my position as a minister and citizen of Flagstaff, 1 have been loyal to her interests and have labored for her ad- vancement submit these considera- tions for thought. Mr. Hamilton says 1.-The church could exert a high, ele- vating, Christian influence upon the political life of our country" and he suggests broader line of duty for ministers in thIs sphere. Along the lines of which 1 have written think all our Christian people, led by their ministers, and all of our loyal citizens, can unite. If Mir. Hamilton has rightly estimated our public conviction in this community in the following sentiment then know that have the fellow-cit- izcns of Flagstaff and Coconiuo county ,y;tI mn b..rt and mind i'm thiS art;.i.,