Fergus County argus., 1901-07-03

themselves recognize the fact that
they Will be forced TO leave there In
the near future"
In conclusion Mrs. Won Tobel said
"that these people will be tolerated
until Lewistown becomes by-word
In the county, and 1t has come to that
point where 1t is virtually the good
women OF Lewistown against the
bad women. 1t remains for the hon.
orable council to decide which shall
prevail"
A petition, to which was attached
$50 signatures, was then presented,
in which the city council was petit
toned to frame an ordinance which
would prevent the occupants OF
houses OF III fame from entering the
city limits, and set forth that their
present location had bad moral ef-
feet on the youth OF the city. The
ladies, after gracefully thanking the
council, made their departure.
Alderman Brassey made a short
address in which he said that the pc
tition deserved the courteous and
careful consideration Of the board,
not only on the grounds OF It's being
Il public question OF much impor-
tance, but owing to the fact that 1t
had been given the serious considera-
tion Of prominent philanthropists in
all parts of the world.
"lt is a recognized fact, said Mr..
Brassey, that the social evil cannot
be eradicated. therefore it should be
hedged around with conditions which
would restrict it's evil influences"
He mentioned the fact that there
were city ordinances which, II en-
forced, would make theserestriction
and remedy the evil to a certain eX-
tent.
City Attorney Won Tobel here arose
and said that some attempt had been
made to regulate the evil and had re-
suited In utter failure; that there was
no control over the inmates OF disor-
DERBY houses In the city whatever,
and although some paid monthly
fines no attempt had been made to
enforce city ordinances which treated
the matter.
"There Is a way to treat the mat
ter" said the city attorney, (which
would efiectually stop the nuisance
but would create much i'll feeling and
place the city in bad odor, which is
to prosecute the owners OF property
who rent it for the purpose Of run
ming houses OF Ill fame, and II the
council fails to take action In the
matter will, as city attorney. pros
ecute each individual owner OF said
property"
Mr.. Won Tobel stated that the best
way to overcome the difficulty would
be to locate the residents of houses Of
prostitution outside the city limits,
and that although I'm large city a
central location was feasible on the
grounds OF better police surveillance,
1t was impracticablei In smallercity
where the evil was always in evil
dence.
In conclusion he said that the evil
could he removed whereit wouldnot
be under the nose Of any citizen all
day or all night long.
Alderman Brassey made a motion
that a committee OF three, with the
mayor as chairman. be appointed TO
investigate the social evil In Lewis
town. On being put to vote the
motion was passed and the mayor
appointed Aldermen F. f. Wright, l..
W. Eldridge and Edward Brassey to
act as a committee.
A petition was here presented to
the council, signed by over one hun
dred tax payers Of the city, in which
municipal ow nership OF the city water
works was advised.
Alderman Wright asked what steps
it would be necessary for the city to
take to raise the amount necessary
for the laying Of n water system.
The city attorney said that the cost
would have to be ascertalned and
then the question of bonding theeity
submitted to vote. He also mem
toned that the bonding OF a city
could not exceed six per cent OF its
assessed valuation.
Alderman Brassey here asked ifthe
city were bonded for a sum which,
after inquiry. was found to exceed
six per cent, would it be Illegal The
city attorney replied that 1t would.
Alderman Wright made "A motion