The Washington herald., 1909-05-09
Legislation for Morality.


When il IS desired these days 10 regu-
late your neighbors diet. 10 correct his
method Of business. or 10 reform his NOR
ais. the proper thing is to go 10 the legis-
lature and secure the passage OF a law
Legislation has become the national cure
all. which viii put money in our pockets.
red blood in our veins, and virtue in our
hearts.
This being so. and the drama standing
10 need Of a purifying process, the law
makers OF the State Of New York have
set about 70 legislate vice OF the stage
b. making 1t misdemeanor. to present.
participate in. or advertise plays OF exhi-
bitions which would tend 10 corrupt the
morals Of youth or others In conse-
QUence Of this enactment the already
overburdened judiciary Of that State IS
nov called upon. on the initiative Of any
person whose sensibilities may have been
offended. TO take Up and consider plays.
dances. moving pictures. whatnot. and
pronounce judgment as 70 their corrupt
ing tendencies. Every judge IS thus made
a censor OF the stage and a guardian OF
the public morality Rather q large as
signment. We think. for q man with
nothing else to 90; but for a Judge on the
bench, confronted at all times with
crowded docket. II IS a duty which he
cannot be expected 10 discharge with any
great degree OF circumspection or clear
sightedness, and one that IS hardly IN
line with what are generally conceived
TO be the proper functions OF a court OF
justice.
No one with the interest Of the drama
a. heart but would wish for this law the
fullest attainment OF its end; no think
ing. unprejudiced person but can see for
it the direst failure. Its principal results.
II Il have any. VIII be enlarged opportu-
nifty for our professional busybOdies and
reformers 70 project themselves into the
limelight. rare possibilities in the way of
advertising for astute managers. and the
placing OF the judiciary IN a fair way %
bring al sorts Of ridicuIe on Itself. II Is
easy 70 imagine the position OF q Judge
called upon 70 determine whether the
latest ana most daring problem play. pro-
pouncsd by one school OF art and moral
ity an invention OF the devil himself and
y another potent factor n the moral
uDlift really does or really does not tend
20 corrupt the morals OF youth and others.
That the stage, particularly the New
York stage. is overrun, TO a greater or
lesser extent, with immortality, vuIgarity,
and corrupting Influences is not 10 be de-
pied. but that New York has taken the
right method to cure the evil is oper to
grave doubt The ancient truism that
you cannot legislate morality into q peo-
pie applies with undiminlshed force when
those people happen 10 be theater owners. /
actors, and playgoers. There Is q way Of
wiplng the stage clean OF its dark spots, |
but being g slow and tedious process. at /
tended with Rumberless difficulties and
discOuragenents. It comes 10 the reform /
er in a guise less zIluring than that OF
the easier and more spectacular way OF
pushing a bill through the legislature. 1
This prOsaic and altogether dull and IN |
interesting process Of bringing about /
what IS called the elevation OF the stage
IS simply q campaign OF education. OF 1
~A-S near G4lO DId4lls LllaL SL2li elaDle the 4
people to discern what is beautiful in art /
and love what is clean in morals.
We believe that such a campaign IS /
waging at the present time; that our I
schools and colleges, our leading news I
papers. our most representative period /
Gals. and our highest-minded actors and /
managers are giving Of their strength /
and influence in its behalf People with q 1
mania for legislation could help a little. /
too were they content 10 forego noto- i
riety and be humble workers IN the ranks. /
After al, these things would appear 10 I
move in circles. Like corruption in poll 1
tics and civic government. the immortality 1
Of the stage comes and goes IN waves. re-
treating before the awakened conscience /
OF a people and pouring IN again when /
that conscience shows signs OF sieeplng. !
Il is for the people OF each generation to I
fight the dangers tnat beset its drama 4
All the laws on the statute books viii ac- /
but little in this fight; the prop
er attitude Of the public mind and heart, 4
brought about by real education, will ae-
everything.