The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-09-16
Ministers, Aroused by
Recent Disclosures,
Condemn System.
THINK PENALTY
ENTIRELY TOOLAX
Mr.. Wells Asserts That Vices
Now Classed as Misdemeanors
Should Be Raised to Felo-
nies-Conditions Show That
Parents Must Be
More Alert.

Aroused By recent disclosures OF
crimes agains, young girls in this city.
ministers yesterday denounced from
their pulpits in no uncertain terms
the shortcomings Of a CIVILIZATION anu
In particular the so-called weakness
Of a local police system. which permits
sitself to waliow In a mire Of social
decay and shuts its eyes TO a reign
of immortality which Is striking at the
life Of the city and nation
A dozen congregations listened with
auickening conscience II the arraisn-
meEt Of the agencies n modern IKE
which loosen morals, wreck homes.
and spread contagion to be transmitted
to unborn generations. The yellow
press with its Magnification of crime
and its Serdt3 Eevs stories. the deca-
dent stage with its portrayal OF loose
morals the suggestive n ,dern novels
with its sensuops depletion of CLOSED
over v!ce--aii came in for share Of
the pulpit's ire.
Rev. Frank l. Wells, pastor Of the
Broad Street Methodist Church. devoted
his sermon last night to an inquiry
iato the immediate causes Of the evil
IT, Richmond. and to the suggestion
of a course of action which might re-
suit in its mitigation
U 10 tie Police.
To the police Of the city, said the
pastor. appeal must be made for a
stricte- enforcement OF the law against
crimes Of this nature than has hitherto
been the case, Punishment for in
fractions OF this class. he said. has
been wholly too lax and infrequent
; Every now and then" said Mr.
Wells I'VE hear a little stir about
breaking up the crowds Of sports who
and osle every woman who passes and
make remarks about her. but the
sports still stand on. the corners and
nothing seems to be do.e about it, You
MEN who vote can break II up If YOU
will
You 60 as individuals to the police
commissioners and ask them TO enforce
certain evils. and you are apt to be told
to produce evidence OF violation and
the case will be ATTENDED to. An
aroused public opinion should say to
those responsible for the enforcement
OF law that they have been put into
their positions. and their salaries are
pid.- by the tax-paying citizens of
the city. and II is not your business as
, individuals to police the city. but ii
| is their business
1T is not your business to be detec-
tive and prosecutors. but ii IS their
business and you are going to see that
they do IT or get somebody who will.
This is a matter Of too much import
ance to be trifled with"
BlaDes Modern Fssh1ess.
In his analysis Of the causes under
lying the vice-waye which seems to
be sweeping over the city a well ~
the country At large Mr. Wells took
| UP one after the other the chief sources
OF infection. Poverty and squal!d sur
roundiugs, ignorance Of the elemen-
tary laws and sexual hygiene, inherit
ed animalism, and lack Of parental
discipline. he said, were the main con-
tributing causes. Until these are re-
moved or at least moderated, thought
the minister. little hope can be held
out.
To the more potent evils just named,
Mr.. Wells added the insiduous influence
Of present day fashions tn dress
reform Of feminine fashions along sane
lines, he said. is imperative to moral
welfare. On this point the preacher
said:
1T is BY no meants a matter OF small
importance that there should be . re-
form in dress which will bring US to
the modest fashions Of former years.
/ believe no thoughtful person will gain
say the fact that the response Of our
women to the dictates o: fashion II
playing a part and net small part 10
the spread of immortality"
Tee NoeA HasesSs1ss0-
The minister denounced as one o: the
contributing causes Of social vice. the
currency which has been given to
prociama,ions of naturaiis;ic and pagan
theories Of life He defined . subtle
influence At WORK breaking down pub
lie opinion concerning immortality
with a corresponding tendency. dis
,incfly market. though slowly de-
veioped. 10. justify vice by appeal TO
the principles Of nsfuralism and ma
,erta,jsm. 4 sentimen; has gained
with influence. he said. which condon>s
the excuses 81 vice on the ground that
10 IL natural
Mr.. Wells brought indictments
against three institutions which, he
| said. were largely guilty Of proclaim
Ing this pagan philosophy OF life. TIE
yellow press was the sTst OF these.
There are some newspspers." he
said, that have become cesspooSs Int
which are SumpeA every possible crime.
every sort Of sensation thss 10 Soarse
and low and Suggestive. PerseuS who
have no claim 20 be menstoned out
side Of a small circle. and thea only
with pity or contempt. are made motor
,ous and natiopsl. because % some sin
or shame or vileness With whsch they
were connected. This moral csrrtoa
f. made the daily topic Of conversation
AMONG men ana women who are SUP
(Cootinuel % SECOND FsGeJ.