Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-02-28

Pckwickian sense-very wrongly, as we
think-whie action can be taken to the
police court or made the basis of a finan-
cial claim. We shall not stop to discuss
the matter. Our solicitude is concentrat-
ed upon Senator Tillman. Here is man
who has grown-or. perhaps, has made
himself understood-very greatly within
the past few years. He has a rough
tongue, and his ideas of genuflexIon are
still in the formative stage; but he has
convinced many of the most scholarly
and polished members of the senate
Republicans as we'll as Democrats-that
he is as honest as he is bold, as sincere
and incorruptible as he is aggressive;
and, somehow, these qualities are steadily
increasing IN value as we go along upon
our conquerng way.
The senate in executive session has
very properly adjudged both senators in
contempt. \ monstrous injustice would
be involved in punishment of one Of
Tense and conformation of the other
Washington Post.
900
COMMEMORATE MOVEMENT.
promoting a reform movement, in which
it has gained a highly creditable promi-
hence. 1t is waging red-hot war on the
practice of using profane and obscene
language in the streets. 1t very properly
lays particular stress on the obscene.
Many towns in Pennsylvania have been
moved by the 1nqulrer's persistent ard
well-directed efforts to start an agitation
looking to the strict enforcement of laws
forbidding the use of profane or obscene
words in their streets and other public
places. We agree with the Inquirer that
there is no necessity for arguing against
the vice, which those towns have deter
mined to assault. 1t exists. to greater
or less extent, in all cities, towns, and
villages.
/ The only way to stop or check it is to
apply the law with vigor and impartality.
For obscenity there can be no shadow of
excuse or paliation. The man or boy
who uses filthy language in public places,
whatever his situation in the social struc-
ture, and quite regardless of his or his
fathers bank account, is person whose
presence in society or in any place where
we'll be dispensed with for some days or
weeks. There are grown-up boys and
possibly a few older human bipeds-"in
the catalogue they go for men'-vho use
vile words on the streets for the sole pur-
pose of being heard by women and girls.
The CATO nine-tails would be a fitting
penalty for this outrage, or rawhide
laid on the bare back with convincing
force. But if society persists in being too
squeamish for that. confinement at hard
labor for some months on ample but
coarse and cheap food would have a
wholesome effect.
Laws against profanity are difficult of
enforcement, because there are so many
and such great difference of opinion as
to what profanity is. OF course, there
are such expressions, such horrible COM
binatiOns of words, as are universally
admitted to be prOfane swearing. But a
Judge who would rule that it is profane
to say 81 swear" or to dam, with either a
lower-case or capital ID, might be over
ruled by higher court. Probably the
man who says "damn it" means no more
by that eXpletive than another who uses
udlh VI uuihs vi SOulOunu IL.
Very few persons of either sex attain
adult age without having acquired a
habit of using some form of expression
that fills for them the same purpose that
rougher words fill for less fastidlous
people. Our readers may remember that
DR.. Holmes accuses the pious designer
and builder of "the wonderful one-hoss
shay" of swearing thus
"The deacon swore, as deacons do,
With an Il dew YUM and an Il tell yeou.' "
The Post magnanimously declines to
accuse or suspect the Inquirer of any I'M
worthy object in agtating for the re-
preston of profanity In Philadelphia.
The Post goes so far as to say and believe
that it would be unjust to charge the In
qulrer's zeal in this grand cause to a de-
sire to punish tie thousands of reputable
and upright Phiadelphians who cannot
express their honest convictions as to the
operations of the ringsters who rule and
rob them without going much further
than Dr. Holiness deacon penetrated into
the arena of the profane. Recognizing
the absolute and ever-present necessity
In Philadelphia for the use of strong
terms in speaking of the outrages by
which the municipal hooters fatten, our
contemporary would undoubtedly urge
indulgent tolerance of such language
when used for that purpose. But while
charitably inclined toward really neces-
sary oflenses of the mouth, we hope the
Inquirer will go right on with its crusade.
There is neither necessity nor excuse
there should be only resentment of and
punishment-for blasphemous or filthy