Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-06-20
wHERE THE LAW rs LAME,

WHERE THE LAW IL LAME
A correspondent IA an eastern county
AZ this State, wishes the Dcseret News
10 exucse the neniciency Of the laws in
Inc several states in reference 70 COM
mon crime; Tint Is the leading astray
OF young women by llbertines and INC
easy manner IN which the guilty can es'
cane punishment by going through a
form OF marriage and then deserving the
wife. He expatlates on the penalties
than are inflicted upon a thief or
murderer while one who robs a person
and family Of that which Is far dear
err than life or property can get off with
but "a mockery Of Justice and these
who are made to suffer are put to end
less trouble and expense without salts
factory redress"
While we agree with our friend on the
main question involved, we do not see
what good would be accomplished by
accedng to his request, to publish
synopsis Of the laws Of the different
States relating to this subject" 1t Is UNI
savory to say the least. There are fea-
lures Of Il that are unpleasant to expose
and handle, and the result is not likely
TO be practically beneficial The root
OF the evil lies deeper than human en-
actments, and cannot be cured by rules
or penalties
All civilized countries and states have
laws against sexual offenses. Some OF
them. doubtless, are not sufficiently
stringent or severe. A money compen-
sation or the infection of fine. certain
iy does not meet the wrong complained
OF. But on conviction OF such offenses
Imprisonment is usually provided for,
perhaps In the discretion Of the court
and the evil Is certainly not palllated by
the enforcement OF such penalties,
Very often the culprlt deserves much
greater punishment than is meted out
TO him, and, unfortunately, in any event
the weaker vessel bears the brunt Of
the trouble that follows. But 1t must
not be forgotten that usually there are
two parties to the crime, and that, how
ever some people may sympathlze with
the trusting girl led astray, and anath-
ematize her betrayer part OF the fault
and therefore OF the blame belongs 10
her OF necessity.
The laws are very severe against
forclble acts on the part Of a brute who
is guilty OF the serious offense which is
really capital in lis nature and deserve
ing OF death. But II Is difficult to estab-
lsh guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and
10 show that no blame attaches to the
alleged victim. II is all very well TO
moralize over the greater guilt OF the
male person, who is the stronger and
more responsible Of the twain, In any
event. While that is doubtless correct
in most instances, the offense is usually
shared and therefore the law. which Is
not sentimental, takes notice of that
fact and provides accordingly.
Now as to the permission often given
TO the parties TO marry and avoid the
laws penalties. Is not that sometimes
better than to enforce the law TO the
utmost2 II both parties are willing and
DESTROYS Of patching up the mat
ter In That way, does II not
seem to be better than imprisoning
one OF them and branding the other
with ineffaceable shame and disgrace?
But suppose he decamps and leaves the
wife TO the mercies OF a cold world and
sneers and SCOTS Of the rlbald and un-
feeling. Well the law provides against
such desertlon and he Is liable TO IT'S
penalties, Are they sufficient to meet
the offense2 Perhaps not. In some
cases, but what then? They may be
amended and made more punitive, but
Catching is before hanging and con-
yiction before punishment and the
laws will often be eyaded however
strict, no matter What We may say or
DO
observe we are not seeking TO lessen
In any degree the enormity Of The Of
fences complained Of, an example Of
which has stirred our correspondent
nightly and justly We DO not apollo.
glze for the lnsuhlcency Of the laws
against sexual ofenses. We do not at
tempt to palllate the wrongs OF which
licentlous men are guilty and Tor which
they deserve the greatest ccndemue
ton. But we want our thinking read.
ers 70 view the whole subject from both
sides and our young women 70 realize
The situation ana understand that they
cannot escape censure ann the conse.
quences when they are to blame.
Society has little mercy for the Of
Tending female.and however unjusl that
may be- n IS q fact that must not De ig.
nored. and therefore girls and women
should be on their guard against the
lmpofiuhlues OF men VINO care not Tor
the consequences when self-gratldca-
ton sways them to extremes. and to
The loss Of self respect and disregard OF
The claims OF innocence 10 thelf pro-
lection.
The SAYING. Virtue IS It's own re-
ward. has more Of truth in Il than Is
commonly acknowledged. And that rs
opposite brings rs own punishment ls
equally true and should be understood
HY precepi and by example our young
people should be trained In virtues
ways, both sexes being equally tuiorcd
concerning them. And young women
should have regard for parental advice