The Washington times., 1910-03-22
Blasphenly Deptored.

To the Editor OF The Washington Times:
II is not so much surprising as re-
grettable that more Is not being done
to rid the country OF the epidemic Of
blasPhemous ana other forms of deErad-
ing language TO which # is becoming
subject IN Its present stage even the
children before leaving the cradle cannot
escape learning It, This is owing 20 It's
having becCme such a fixed habit with
the parents who use II just as freely
m their homes as they do on The street
or In the bsr room.
The degrading use OF prCfane and low
language which serves no purpose but
a bad ono is becoming deeo-rooted
cancer to the nation, and apparently
there IS no moral reform which lessons
1t very much
What IS required Is the enforcement
Of the laws that exist IN all parts Of
the country.
Some years ago 1 devoted considerable
time and expense 10 writing letters 90
he leading newspapers regarding the
use or profane language. Ny letters
were printed 10y many Of the leading
newspapers who also published edl-
tOrials ia irving 20 diminish the evil; at
this time a great deal of SOod was done,
as IL caused dn awakening which led
20 many potent steps being taken. Many
railway and other corporations and
firms took action 70 have the use OF
such language prohibited among their
employees, which is one Of the most
powerful measures that can be taken 90
check IT, There were also societies
formed which did a great deal OF good
at the time, but this seems 20 have
been spasmodic and not thoroughly fol
lowed up.
For the past year or two 7 have been
trying 70 do what I could In Canada.
by the police enforcing the law, the
evil here has been very much lessened,
but Z am sorry 20 see so little being
done IN the United States Of late. There
are many reasons given for LHe in
crease Of profanity Many place us
origin To the race track. and betting
men They SOW the seed and others
ape them. who think It smart and witty.
Some attribute the cause 20 the foreign
element, who arrive IN America, wher-
Sc IS so prevalent. and believe that pro
fleming the name Of the Supreme
Being IS an American accomplishment
The nabit Of profanity is becoming
SO enErafted in the people that
many cannot speak on any topic with
out calling ca the name of the Almighty
or the Saviour in a blasphem0Us way.
nd 81 IS not only in the lar-rooms or
the slums that you hear this Language.
[ bu- il is even becoming common among
clerks and heads of firms In business
/ esta bIIshment. and it is becoming ha-
bitIai among women
We hear much about the lack NJ rev
erence among the people. believe this
/ Is largely because Of the low character
/ OF our language which is also the cause
/ OF so much dIsrespect for other things
/ We still have people in the country who
/ ahhor the filthy tongue. Why should
/ these not be protected against the class
! OF people who are pOllutiuE the air with
I such language At present Il is inn
/ possible for any one 20 escape IT,
/ There have been many efforts made
/ In Canada and the United States 90 Try
\ 10 induce the police 20 have the laws
/ vigorously enforced. which is the ouir
! true method % rid the country Of IT,
/ Occasionally you viii hear Of an Of
! fender being brought up and punished,
I bul the police who should be looked TO.
70 stamp ont the evil seem 90 give but
little attention 70 IL. and I'm many cases
/ have become the greatest offenders
! themselves
I think Halifax some years ago was
as bad as any other city in this respect.
and that the benefit Of the enforcement
/ Of the law was well demonstrated here.
/ as when tho police We're instructed %
] arrest the offenders. and there were
| dozens Of them arrested and brought
/ before the court and punished. the flow
/ OF profanity on the streets and public
/ places decreased - per cent.
! This is the only course that can De
taken 20 rid the country Of #, and I
think the time IS ripe wh-n some sys-
| tematic and fundamental steps should
/ be taken in all cities and towns 70 have
/ the laws vigorously enforced, as this
/ common use Of profane and low
/ language IS gradually lowering the bet
/ ter instincts Of the people. and COOS
I far 20 prompt 10 other crimes. Yours
firmly. GEORGE WRIGHT.
! Halifax. y s. March 20. 1910