The Alaska citizen., 1912-09-02

Of the state of oregon that he was summarily dismissed from office by the chief executive of the state. whose fight for thorough cleaning out of the breeding place Of sin and lust. and vice. has placed upon the city of Portland the yilest stigma that has ever desecrated an Amer lean metropolis. The open flourish of houses Of prostitution the public solicitation and display of the wo- men whose bodies are their sole support. and whose life is one of shame. made the decent people of the city rise up in arms against the filth and stench of dishonest and incompetent city officials. Wild scenes of debauchery and revelry were common occurrences. Drunk en men and women Caroused open ly on the streets of the city. Vile men insulted respectable women without hesitation knowing that sel dom if ever. would the police raise even a dissenting voice much Jess make an arrest
 Not only were the streets com posing the Red Light District" the scenes of wickedn and open flour ishing of vice. but the better hotels. the better apartment houses. the bet ter cafes. were constantly forced to either refuse admission to disorder ly people who made application for accommodation, or admit them know ing that they were endangering the reputation of their places. Women were imported to this city by the thousands for immoral purposes MaCques and pimps were openly be rating their unfortunate charges for failing to induce men to go with them to houses of ill-fame. Dance halls in which decent dancing was barred nightly. lured thousands of pleasure seekers. The Bunny Hug. and the Texas Tommy" were mild in comparison with the disgust ing contortions of the men and wo- men who wiggled around in sugges- tive positions to the tune of Every Little Movement Has a Meaning All Its Own." "Everyhody's Doing It." It's Lovely" '1 Love It." and other sensuous tunes that appeal to the carnal instincts of degraded human ity
 The police did nothing to prevent even the weirdest orgies from going on. No attempt vas made. seem ingly. to protect those who desired to appear respectable at least from being made the butt of lewd jokes. Dirty nsinuations were loudly made by men in the presence of respect able women. Portland literally reeked with rottenness. The stench of the moral sewer finally got as far as Salem. and Governor West unable to stand the disgusting odor any longer. and seeing no chance of killing the vile smell by the use of city officials. used the only dis infectant that remained to him., the state militia. He ordered the troops to take possession of the city and placed 1t under martial law. The disgrace is keenly felt by the good people of Portland, but they realize that it was to save the city from period of serious moral disease that the good governor took such drastic methods With one accord they arose and upheld Governor West. The troops came in. Houses that the night before had been the scene of wild dissipation, on Monday night were dark. Women, who with gayly painted faces, and tight-ftting. suggestive clothes had lured men in 10 parlor houses and hotels on the previous night. sat with unpainted faces in faded bathrobes in their rooms berating to their grumblins pimps the actions of the good gov. ernor. although inwardly thanking God for this much needed rest.
 Governor West carried out his plans to the full letter of the law. The mayors office. the department of police. the district attorneys of flee. and all other departments that refused to enforce the laws when they should and could have done so were put into the hands of the state troops. and suitable men se- lected to temporarily fill them. All but District Attorney Cameron re- tired gracefully. He, however, seeking a little more vile publicity for himself and the city, loudly an. nOunces his intention to remain and refuses to turn over to Walter Evans. his successor, the papers and files of his office He is roundly and justly denounced and his ac- tions stamped as undiplomatic to say the least by the good people and the press of Portland The troops will remain in control of the Webfoot city until such time as in the opinion. of the governor this hot bed of vice and wickedness has been Durged of it's prostitutes and