The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-22

I pAtI ol lue lnen mat NV 49,
Caught and exposed.
q. It makes q permitted trade Of the
cruel and dastardly occupation Of the
prOcurer and proeuress, for Il the vice
is to go or somebody's girls must be
got to al the places OF those who sink
after an average life Of i've years into
a grave OF shame.
4. II graEis permits at a price that
win not prohibit the dreadful trade, but
win invite to It."
It is q modification Of this legislative
system OF regulation that has been
adopted by the municipal authorities Of
some American cities, without legal
sanction or restraint other than these
authorities themselves have seen ht to
] impose. But II 1t has proved a miSer-
able failure under legal sanction and
the most favorable regulations. what
can be expected OF it where there is no
other restraint or regulation than a
mere collection of an insignificant rev
enue.
The social vice is no doubt very
dificult thing to repress, but it shoui
be dealt with according to the law
that the wisdom of ages and countries
have devised. and not left TO the mere
whlms of a mayor or chief OF police.
The conditions which lead to prOstitu-
tlon should be removed so far as pos
slble, among which are poverty. herd
ing In tenement houses, strong drink,
prudish silence on the part Of mothers
in lnstructing their girls about these
most Important relations OF life, a diff
ferent standard OF purity for women
than for men. A man who seduces a
girl should be frowned upon and out
lawed from decent society Just as much,
and even more so. than the fallen girl;
and a man who will visit house of i'll
fame should be placed by society on
the same social and moral level with
the women he visits. An ounce Of pre-
vention will be worth pound Of cure.
Let there be but one standard for both
sexes.
The National Purity Congress, held
In Baltimore in 1895, adopted the fol-
lowing resolutions as embOdying its
sentiments;
"That chastity, a pure, continent life
alike for men and women, is consonant
with the best condition Of physical,
mental and moral health.
THAT prostitution is fundamental
violation of the laws Of health, is de-
grading and destructive to the indi-
vldual. q menace to the home and the
nation.
That state or municipal regulation
of prostitution is morally wrong; is
worse thaa sanitary failure; is cruel
and unjust to women, and creates a
shocking traffic In girlhood.
THAT all possible Efforts should be
made to educate public opinion and
maintain a high equal standard of
morals for both men and women.
That facilities should be provided
for the treatment of venereal diseases
as readily as other diseases in all hos
pitfalls under the control OF municIpal!-
ties or other public bodies, as well as
in those supported by voluntary contri-
buttons.
That homes should be everywhere
established by municipal and state, as
well as by voluntary aid, as agencies
for the reclamation Of erring girls.
THAT the state should punish by Inn
prisonment rather than fine organized
prostitution, procurlsm, the keepers Of
the houses of prostitution and the rem
tai of houses or other dwellings for such
purposes"
While 1t may be impossible for state
and municipal authorities to entirely
abolish this great evil yet they can do
much to suppress It. They can prohibit
solicitation on the streets alike for men
and women; they can arrest and expose
men as well as women in disorderly
houses, condemuIng them to punish
ment and exposure, and not merely to
n fine. There is no question but what
fear Of exposure would deter many men
from visiting these houses. But while
the woman is some times fined and her
name is published (Which serves as an
advertisement the man who is found
in the house generally has his identity
concealed under some assumed name.
There should be no distinction made.
and the extreme penalty OF the law
should be inflicted on both II the viola
ton Of the law is repeated. The i'm
position OF a mere nominal fine under
some assumed name is rather an en-
enlargement to the vice than a repres-
sion of 1t. soLoN.
Wheeling, Jan. 20.