The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-07-18
A Shameful Outcome

The San Francisco Society for the
| Suppression of Vice awakened to a sort
of abnormal vigor when the dirty
Ward Bradbury scandal cropped up. 1t
had both offenders arrested for viola
ton of the law that in one case of Of
Tending against the seventh command
ment affiXes the penalty following fell
ony, and in another case that attaching
| for misdemeanor.
1t was announced with great flourish
of trumpets that Ward and Mrs Brad
bury were to be prosecuted because they
had so openly and defiantly Haunted
their shame ir, the face Of the public. 1t
was admitted that plenty of other peo-
pie are offenders of the same order and
go free of punishment, but it was stated
by the society that the social promi-
nence of the Ward Bradburys and their
holiness made the association act, that
an example might be made, and hence
mercilessy and sternly these parties
| would be prosecuted.
What news have we now? Why, that
Ward, who appears to have few friends
and to have no more sympathy than
such a contemplate fellow ought 10
have, but who is a stranger in a strange
land without rich and influential rela-
tives at hand, is to be prosecuted, while
the Bradbury woman, by means of hys-
terics, tears and repentance when the
logical results Of her crime confront her,
has prevailed upon the vice society, and
she is therefore to be permitted to go free
and back to the home she has disgraced
beyond social repair. OF course her in
huential relatives interceded for her,
and the Society for the Suppression OF
Vice, not having the moral stamina to
stand to its purpose, weakly yields and
agrees not to prosecute Mrs. Bradbury.
1t appears that the prosecuting attor
ney for the society protested against the
withdrawal Of the prosecution against
the woman. The court or the prosecut-
ing attorney of the city have the power
to compel the woman TO come to the bar
of justice. Prosecutions for crime are
not promoted at the whim and conWen
ieDce of individuals, but are in the name
of the people of the state of California.
The Society for the Prevention of Vice
has no power to dismiss the case against
Mrs. Bradbury without the connivance
of the court and the men elected by the
people to prosecute criminals. Those
OluCeTS anu tIt COuIl hllOW llldl q CIltllC
has been committed; one of the Grimm
ais has been held by that court to answer
before superior tribunal, but the other
is allowed to go free, simply because she
brings to bear pressure from the outside.
This is simply shameful. Applying the
law to one guilty partner and allowing
the other to go is discrimination that
brings the law into contempt and adds
fuel to the flames of discomfort
The vice society by this action be-
comes an association for the promotion
of vice, since it says in so many words
that guilty and shameless wives may
weep and go free if they have plenty OF
friends to intercede for them. The Grim
inal law officers of San Francisco BY
this action disgrace their positions ard
violate their oaths of office by permit
ting confessed Offender to escape pun
ishment, who is rich and influential,
while a poor wretch would probably
plead before them in vain for the meres't
droppings of mercy.-Sacrament Rec
ord Union.