The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-05

black pest itself. With reference 10 such
books / have already had occasion 10
say publicly that each edition of ques-
tionable book stands by itself Because
one edition may be in violation of the
law there is no reason for supposing that
any other edition is of Ike character. In
other words, we cannot assume any such
condition to exist IN the enforcement OF
the law This requires that each edi-
ton must be examined, briefed. marked,
and II Objectionable, prepared for trial
This involves an amount Of offensive
work that no money consideration can
compensate for.
The campaign against immoral liter
allure has been and is holly waged.
Quantities of the Chicago filth have been
suppressed. Small lots have been seized
from the news stands and the news
companies themselves have been asked
TO cooperate IN the throttling OF the
evil. In all cases they have evinced a
commendable willingness to comply.
The use Of the postofiice as an aid In
carrying on this baneful industry is, for
tunately rendered both dangerous and
difficult. The government officials have.
as a rule, shown themselves commend
ably dnligent in dealing with these cases.
Inc ponce departments OF VAI ftAA'o
and particularly that OF New York.
should receive high praise for what
they have accomplished for the sup
preston Of vice. No one VIII assure
that the police are intended 10 be ac-
tive moral agents, but occasions are
always. arising, in which, but Tor
their efficiency, the power Of evil in
the community-that Is. the insidious
oil CT hat nd
cOurts-would be ten-fold what II r..
The curse OF gambling affords an in
stance Of this. While still a highly de-
leterIous influence. gamblers are no
longer the scourge they used to be.
The trouble presents itself now In a
far more insdious form than formerly.
Cases Of young men ruined and
homes desolated are all too common.
The New York Society for the Sup
preston OF Vice has had called 70 its
notice the circumstance under which
a once trusted bookkefser was found 10
be a defaulter to the ~extent of nearly
$4,000. and at this moment he is a
convicted felon. Two OF the gamblers
alleged to have taken the major por-
ton OF the stolen money We're subse-
quently convicted, and one or them was
fined $500 Adequate punishment
truly. for a $35 900 crime.
Is the work progressing. IS vice be-
ing suppressed? Yes. The public con-
science is not so dead 10 these things
as It once was. The very cutlery OF
those who suffer through this warfare
on crime IS a proof of this. Nothing
Is more dangerous than silent, unob-
trusive evil. When evil-doers find II
necessary to come out Of the darkness
II shows that they are being successfully
contended against.
But organized crusades against vice
are always more are less dependent upon
individual interest Every man and wo-
man can do something. Every little eff
fort counts. Teachers In colleges and
semlnarles. employees Of labor. officials in
institution are those whom It behOoves to
be specially vigilant Information that Will
aid in the Suppression Of evil should be
impaired without fail to the nearest prop
er authority. Well organized societies can
and do respect condolences. II Roadway
IS TO be made against vendors OF objec-
tionable wares, literary and otherwise,
there must be established a tacit free
masonry I'm the interest OF the public
school. And where community has de-
termined that evil shall not be tolerated,
so far as II affects the general welfare,
the suppression Of vice will have become
an established fact.
Up 70 date we have seized more than
seventy-five tons Of contraband mat
ter, and have made about 2250 arrests
In making these arrests greatest care IS
taken to under no circumstances in
stitute proceedings unless we are NOR
ally certain OF success in prosecuting
them in the courts.
Very truly yours,