The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-02-12
THE SOCIAL EVIL.

THE SOCiAL EVIL
The statutes of oregon are buriened
with statutes attempting to suppress
what is known as the social evil In
this category is included petty crimes,
bawdy houses. gambling and the liquor
traffic. Remedial statutes are pro-
posed and often enacted making the
acts complained Of a crime. Notwitl-
standing this, all of the quasi crimes
are still committed and efforts to sup
press them have signally failed. The
principal reason for this is, that public
sentiment Is against the enforcement of
the laws. Astoria is what is known
as a wide open town" II has that
reputation all over the coast. 1t means
that selling liquors. maintaining
houses of Ill repute and gambling are
sanctioned by public sentiment. 1t is
difficult matter for newspaper to-
advocate the enforcement of the laws
when public sentiment is against 1t
The Astorian has endeavored to create
a public sentiment in favor of Sunday
observance; against the existence of
prevailing vices, but has never received
a word of encouragement. When pub
lie opinion is formed and officers are
backed up by it, all efforts to check
existing evils are fruitless.
A very large number of the people Of
Astoria are at heart opposed to gam
bling, but as long as it provides |
revenue Of $4,000 year from a class
of people that pay no taxes and con-
tribute in no other way for the sup
port of the city there is strong
undercurrent of opposition to the en-
forcement of the laws. A majority of
the people believe in police regulation
of what are termed necessary evils
Prostitution is confined to one section
of the city. Were the laws and ordi-
nances enforced 1t would be driven
to the residence portion of the city.
1t is impossible to stop it. The same
Is true Of gambling II gambling in
public houses is suppressed in tae
saloons, 1t will be driven under cover
of clubs and private residences. 1t is
tolerated because It provides a large
revenue which is needed for the sup
port of the city government. Promi-
,,,.~% l,,,airnoo ,,.ayn 49, In fo,,nr 80 II |
censing and regulating evils that can
not be eliminated. 1t always has ex-
listed, it always will exist AS long az
cards and poker chips are made they
will be used for the purposes intended.
AS long as whisky and beer are manu-
factured they will be drank. Prohi-
bitory statutes are simply dead let
ters. Public. sentiment prevents their
enforcement.
Two years ago the state of Washing
ton passed gambling law making
gambling felony. 1t did not suppress
gambling 1t is still carried on in all
the leading cities, backed up by public
sentiment Men are bound to gamble
and all laws that may be passed viii
not check the desire. A similar law
will be enacted by the legislature of
Oregon, but it will not be enforced,
except possibly i'm a few small cities
and towns where It does not exist.
In the opinion of large number Of
people, the only way to check the evils
is by license and police regulations
France has a social evil law which has
been In force for many years. The
laws are very strict and are enforced.
All women coming to any city for i'm
moral purposes are compelled to reg
lister with the chief of police. All OPP &