Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-10

ceived. freely give" But you will ask
how would you do this, and I will an
swer-give them a chance. Just as Of
ten as necessary, to live better life,
for how can they improve alone after
you city's brothels have ruined them
and your city has taken away their
cash and make this improvement with
no parting words from your officers,
except to get out of town When
Jesus heard it he saith unto them;
They that are whole have no need of
a physician, but they that are sick,
came not to call righteous but sinners
to repentance" Do you suppose that
ever in the history Of your rich, mag
nificent Christian city, with its many
churches, benevolent citizens, ministers
and social workers, and its nearly 100
! saloons and, have been told, brothels
too numerous to mention, that anyone,
minister of the gospel. a lady of vir-
tue and refinement, or has your city
ever met any Of these unfortunates at
the door of the police court or jail
was yet ringing in their ears, with a
kindly word or substantial offer of en-
couragement TO lead a better life or.
better put ii strong, an offer that would
help them TO try to lead clean, vir-
tuous. Industrious life Now leave the
ministers and the lady out of it, for
want TO tell what l think would be a
wise and proper plan for your city to
follow. For as We have opportunity
let us do good unto all men"-and that
is this: Since you have saloons, your
beer gardens, chop suey restaurants,
which same chop suey restaurants ap-
pear as other restaurants to the un-
suspecting young girl; your dance halls
and, worst of all, you have men ready
and willing and trying to lead them
astray, all these you have, you will ad-
init. Since you have so much to help
them TO the life they are leading, why
not when you have arrested them have
something TO offer to help them back
to life of decency instead of adding
to their necessity.
Establish an industrial home or {
refuge and commit them to it without
fine or publicity and as you do with
your sick, nurse them back to healtt
and a useful life" AT least have thi:
to offer them or quit making their nee
essity greater by adding fine after fine
upon them for leading the life tina
your institutions have brought them to
This home should be equipped am
maintained by the city where these un
fortunates could be taught useful ant
congenial occupation, that is. trainet
in work which they would like to d,
for a livelihood. To Illustration
might want to learn the use Of tn
typewriter, another to cook. another t
become clerk, etc; but you are ash
ing-suppose they would fall again
Yes, suppose they do. Will the sham
be as great upon your city as thong
you had taken them before a polio
magistrate where all sorts of peopl
will gather 10 laugh at the evidenc
given in their trials; fined, their none
taken to pay your city expenses. an
finally ordered out Of town? Again
ask, would the shame to your city b
as great?
This refuge should be conducted a
privately as possible, with no motor
ETY., no mention of arrests or detentio
in the courts, city records or the new
papers, ell records TO be kept in h
refuge and returned 10 the unfortunat
one when she feels strong enough
go Out and try the world alone, so thu
she may know that in so far as yot
city is concerned you are going to kee
her confidence. shield her name an
help her just as effectually as possib
to return to a respectable life. becaus
your institutions have been the cauS
of her ruin.
The home, as | said before, shou
be conducted OH Industrial lines al
congenial occupations taught and viii
there they should be instructed in Il
: way of the immortal Moody, who cou
q tell in such convincing ways how to {
- right and in such effective words WI
a il pays. | want to assure you tn
a most Of your Objectionables will
a only too glad of this opportunity al
~ VIII punt W lIt iuliSeL tAlGQI ny
If you do not believe this make a ca
= vas Of a number of them and in
serious way learn of their deepest d
" sires and almost to one it will be
reform If they but had a chance.
And farther, Mr.. Editor, / wish
use the same arguments as in Il
81 above for the establishment of a wor
81 house or an industrial home for yo
81 city's prisoners, where the same met
- DDS and the same teachings should
81 carried out sc recommended in 4
"a above. It does not matter whether
~ will pay in dollars and cents or n
81 cities that are doing so much for thu
downfall ought to do something to he
~ unfortunate citizens, not because
"a might or might not pay in dollars al
cents, but because it is right
Make the world a little better as y
go;
And be thoughtful OF the kind of Sc
you SOW;
Try to make some pathway brig