Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-12-27
ACT WITH WISDOM.

Some very good people In this city
have become greatly excited over evils
that exist here, but which have been
greatly exaggerated through sensation
al newspaper reports, They propose
public agitation to arouse popular in
dignatlon, with view to the extirpa-
ton OF those evils and the consequent
publication of the city. Their purpose
Is pralseworthy, their intentions are
excellent, but we think they are acting
largely upon rumors, and that the pub
lclty given to the vices justly COM
planned OF, and to certain locality
where they are alleged TO flourish VIII
probably aggravate instead OF sup
pressing the evil and direct attention
to spot which was comparatively un-
known. until described and pointed out
to thousands who were ignorant of lts
existence.
At the risk Of being misunderstood BY
some very Jealous ladies and gentle
men. who may not know that the Des-
eret News for many years has vigorous
ly fought the vices that have been per-
mitted TO gain a firm foothold In this
city we suggest that before paradlng
these matters in the view OF the general
public, Il would be well to ascertain the
actual facts. The stories that have
been told about juvenile depravity as
ISOLATED with the exposures that have
been made, will be found on close in
vestigation to have been magnified out
of all right proportion, for the sake OF
making what some newspapers regard
as "a good story"
This is Illustrated In the case of the
physician who is under arrest, charged
with a most serious offence and be-
lieved 10 have caused the death of
young woman from malpractice. 1t
was published that In his office were
found letters from women and girls all
over the State" soliciting his services
for similar purposes. This caused as
great a sensation as did the story OF
juvenile visitors TO the dens OF vice,
In one of which the murdered miner
was drugged to death. And II was
equally unfounded. The "News' insti-
tuted inquiries, and learned that, az a
positive fact. only two such letters were
found In the doctors office, Instead OF
the bushels" that were reported.
Now we do not wish to hinder the
good people Of this city In any work
Of reform or publication that they may
undertake for the public benefit. There
are real evils to be fought and these
are worthy the efforts made for their
correction But we do not believe good
win come from advertising them either
TO the world outside or the public at
home, nor from taking for granted the
terrible tales told as news but which
are largely fictitious, thus giving wrong
Impressions concerning our social con-
ditions and placing upon them the
stamp OF religious endorsement
During the time of the rigid enforce
ment OF the acts OF Congress special
" framed for Utah, the vices now COM
planned OF were rampant In this city.
But they could not be seen by che re-
liglous gentlemen who were actively
engaged In urging the enforcement OF
those laws and are now concerned
about conditions that are certainly not
worse today than then, but which have
been made prominent through crimes
that have been recently disclosed. That
Of course should make no difference as
to the execution OF the city ordinances
and the suppression Of present evils,
But this sudden agitation over exag.
gerated conditions naturally recalls the
former Indifference as to their notorious
prevalence,
II anything can be done outside Of
official circles TO purify the city by al
means let the good work 70 on. At the
same time.Dh little common sense and
indeed some wisdom ought to be exer-
clsed. In dealing with wrongs that trou.
bic every city in Chrlstendom, and
which are not lessened by making them
the talk In every home, as well as in
an the public places where people con-
gregate. And II should be understood
that lawful measures only can be taken
to effect the end designed. The Wild
notion that the unfortunate women can
be driven out Of the city" or that the
houses IN the alley pointed out can be-
destroyed, Is too stupid TO be seriously
entertained for a moment
The enforcement Of the laws must be
attended 10 lawfully. Urge upon the
officers the necessity Of doing their
duty conhne the evils that really exist
20 the narrowest limits aud most repul-
slve quarters. punish the frequenters.
as the ordinances provide. but do not
parade these things 80 that they are
familiar TO every boy and girl In the
community nor proclaim 10 the world.
monstrously exaggerated stories con-
corning a city that Il undeservlng OF
the reputation that is being given TO II.
Proceed on rational grounds. but do not
plunge into wild and baseless and USE
less agitation.
GOES TO THE HAGUE.