The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-30

IT seems that Richmond has become stirred
over the wave OF immortality which appears 10
he sweeping that city. like Il does all cities at
times and an effort is being made 70 give some
check to its progress. The ministers have TAX
en- II up and Sunday delivered sermons
against the vice The police scaitsd upon
TIC more diligence and the public 30 arouse
Its conscience and create sentiment which
would have its effect upon the officials. Orr
minister agrees that much of the immortality
liz superinduced by modern fashions. much TO
modern literature to the yellow press the inn
moral stage and the Eossiping Of men and
women over crimes Of vice which heSome
torious through their hideousness
Some time ago the chairman of Ehicago's
Vice commission. in discussing similar condi-
tons In his city. held TO one OF the views adj
vaneed by the Richmond clergyman mat re-
lating To the present style of dress Both agree
that this has much to do with the present wave
OF immortality We have expressed our agree
ment with this view. stating that men were
10th to make advances to any woman without
some invitation on her part that such advances
would he kindly received But there is one
feature which all these moral refermefr seem
never to touch upon and IL is that aal the
blame must be placed upon the men, when il
Is admitted thai women lend encouragement
by their dress and actions.
From time imnemoriai 1t has been accepted.
whether right or wrong Is not the question
here that to women belonged the preservation
OF morality They have accepted this edict
as binding upon them. They hold each other
Responsible and condemn in each 0theN viola
TONS but permit to men such ATTITUDES AS they
may see Mt to appropriate TO themselves This
being the why should the men be con-
demned for making the advances OF which
complaints are being made Do mot I'M
derstand in any way making aTalogies
for the men. We simply state facts and scondi-
tons which have been established and foster-
ed by the women themselves.
As regards the girls OK fourteen years old
and upwards is il not largely. we might say
entirely. the fault Of the mothers OF these girls
that they are permitted to- roam around the
streets of our cities when they should be In
their beds. at least in their homes " hat
can mothers expect of their daughters II the
latter are permitted to be out at night with
some young boy man whom they scarcely
knew The fact that they out, proninad-
Ing the streets Ii an Advertisement tU fhW MEN
ard boys that they seeking attention. Then
why should the men and boys be cfnsured
when they make advances upon the girlxg The
first trouble Is with the parents Of these girls
cali upon the law to do what they themselves
should be held responsible for. All Of which
is paternalism Of government leading finally TO
the government taking entire charge III the
child. with no responsibilities upon the parent
Why could We have some statute or ordi-
nance to hold parents responsible In the nrst
instance and the girls in the second. for thein
being around The streets enticing the men and
boys? All cities have such an Urdfnanre Tor
tha known moral -dereltcts. and WHY mt for
such AZ are on the road to this class For
one We believe men and boys need soma
protection as we'll the girls No man or
we have II from the beginning Of the world
that woman lead man into sin. II Is largely the
game today. Let us correct our women and
girls some and then we will see what becomes
OF the men and boys.