The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-12-01

why don't You newspaper men start
crusade against these promiscuous
dances that are given under the name
of some imaginary organlzatioE?"
This pertinent inquiry was put to an
Intelligencer student of human nature
by an obscrvant citizen, who has been
an unwilling witness of some OF the
direful results of these gatherings. He
was especially indignant about the at
tendance on these dances Of girls Of
tender years-maidens who were but u
few years removed from the nursery.
The citizen was right in all his pre-
misses. 1t has bene crying shame for
years that these dances have been al
lowed such full sway.
What would you suggest In the way
of regulating them" asked the repor-.
ter.
"Well, I hardly know how 10 get at
the root OF the evil. believe that an or
dInance might be passed by council, but
from the nature of things it would vlr-
tually be 4 dead letter. You can't
abridge the liberties OF the people. The
only way that I can see to remedy thu
Objectionable features OF the dances l
refer to Is 10 bring the matter 10 the
attention OF the parents of the girls
who attend them. l confess that 1t
takes very fragrant breach of NOR
atty and common decency to shock
me, but must say that the scene I
looked in on the other evening almost
paralyzed ME. There were at least
twenty girls present, the oldest not be-
ing over fourteen years of age. They
all wore short dresses. AS looked over
that motley thronS, and saw these In
fants whirled around in the seductive
mazes OF the round waltz IN the arms
OF men, ! mentally asked myself the
question, Where are the parents of
these children? Do they know Of their
present associations and surround
ings?' Two o'clock in the morning and
a girl OF twelve years, the object OF
leering glances and the victim of too
many glasse OF beer: her natural mod
esty thrown 10 the winds in the pres
ence of her older sisters. chronic fire.
Quenters and hardened to the free and
easy manners OF the company, what Of
her? 1t doesn't require an occult sight
to tell her future. Surrounded by the
VI ltit lfill WI
thirsty as the tiger for its prey,lt is not
merely question OF time. but
of opportunity. can't con-
ceive for one moment that the
mothers of these children know the
company they are in, If they are in full
knowledge of their surroundings, God
help them!"
what particular occasion do you re-
fer to-" inquired the reporter.
"Oh. / wont specify any particular
occasion, location or circumstance.
These dances are given whenever the
pocket books OF the promoters are
equal to the expenses.
Now understand me, I don't refer
to the dances given by reputable o.
CARNATIONS. There can be no criticism
made on the conduct and behavior of
the people who take part in such func-
tons. The point that ! want to make
Is the presence of mere babies, you
miEhtsay,at balls givenby interruptions
persons. whose object IL too patent 10
the close observer and experienced
man of the world to eXpatiate upon. II
you say anything about this matter in
your paper, you can't put 1t too strong,
lind j hope 1t may be the means of
opening the eyes of the parents of the
class of girls | refer to-tllat Is, II they
have parents. which have sometimes,
out of charity for frail humanity,
doubted"