Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-07-03
THE SOCIAL EylL.

THE SOCIAL EvlI.
One of the greatest problems that has
ever confronted civilization for solution
is the social evil. Its extirmination or
control has been the subject of much
discussion for centuries, and as eNtirpa-
ton has long since been regarded as an
irridescent dream its restriction within
designated limits in all municipalities
seems TO be the most feasible and prac-
teal way of coping with the evil.
Not to be behind other growing cit
les, the question has come up for con-
sideration in Lewistown. a number of
most estimablc ladies having during the
past week circulated petitions. the pur-
pose OF which being the suppression of
houses oflll fame within the city limits,
These petitions. which a great many
of our citizens refusedt TO sign, believing
the object in view imprncticahle and
more harmful than existing conditions,
were presented 10 the city council Mon
day evening. the matter being referred
Ia u special committee, as will Ice seen
elsewhere. While the demand is broad
aud drastic in it> scope, it has for its
immediate and specific purpose the re-
moval of the demi monde from their
present resort on JanneauX street, on
the ground of its central location.
A. an ordinance drawn and passed in
compliance with the petition would
drive such characters out Of the city
limits and out of the jurisdiction of the
police officers the question arises as to
the good to be accomplished by such
measures. Surely the peace and quiet
of the suburbs or city limits are Of as
deep concern a. that of the business
centerS, il not more 50. II has been
demonstrated by observation and cN-
pcriyncc in many cities that the best
method uf dealing with this evil q, 10
coHtHc FL 10 q certain locality and hold
1t under strict police surveillance and
control. Attempt, ~ eradication has
resulted in scattering women of bad
rcpuic about The cities. often in the
fines, resident districts, This was the
casc in -. Paul. Minnesota. q few years
ago Chicago and New York are now
striving TO contine this specie of vice to
designated localities.
~ course il j. a much easier problem
10 handle in a city the size of Lewis
town, but we agree with a majority of
our citizens that the evil cannot be
wholly eradicatcd, If this is the ease.
then the question arises a. to the next
best thing to do To check its pernicious
influences,
Many of our citizens regard the pres
ent locality, which has been condemned
for the past ten years by the presence
Of these women. as a fitting place for
them. 1t is on a back street. unfit for
business houses or residences, and is no
more central than such resorts in Fort
Benton. Great Falls, Helena or Butte.
To drive them ON the outside means the
creation of he'll holes over which AT
best there would bc but poor control.
as they would then I've amcnablc TO the
county authorities only.
There is 10 question but the oeeu-
pant, of this resort have been too bold
and conspicuous during the daytime.
both ON the streets and around their
houses. This should and can be stopped.
II is done elsewhere and can Ice done
here. such women W it to them
selves and the community to keep in
seclusion as much as possible.
II the evil cannot be abated it can at
least be restricted, and we believe Wig
orous measures should be taken AT once
in that direction. With proper safe
guards ~inaugurated by the council and
city marshal much of the cause Of com
plant now existing would be removed.