The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-11-30

cation. II earnestly and wisely conducted, would
be compelled to reach.
Mayor Ainslie's action teaches Ave things and
only 1--WE:
/ First. II proves that the police have complete
! knowledge of the whereabouts of disorderly
places
i Second = 1t proves that the police sup
press these places II they want to do SO.
Third 1t proves that what Mayor Ainslie is
willing to do for visiting young men he is not
willing to do for the young men of his own COM
ulunity.
! Fourth IT proves that In the Judgment of
Richmond authorities youths of this State. those
from families of culture and wealth students of
our colleges and universities. as well others.
! are counted among the patrons of vicious and
degraded institutions.
Fifth 1t proves that the chief reason the
laws of our land are so lightly held, is the fla =
grant disregard OF laws by police departments.
| Not one of these five statements can be con-
uoNerted. All the argument ever dreamed Of.
all the facts and figures ever compiled and all
: the-nlea dlnGs- and WLteMashins- planned,
cannot change letter of Them or alter in
the slightest degree the fearful import of their
charges
what MAYOR Ainslie has done will in our
judgment, prove profound shock to this Com
Hioh"eaith' Like the order of the Car Of Rus
sla closing the vodka shops. it will stir the con
sciences and souls of men everywhere in yfr-
slhia, and lead to demand that what Mayor
Aihsile has done for two days for the sake of
cIean football. he shall do for all the days Of all
the years for the sake Of clean manhood and
clean womanhood.
When the authorities Of a great community
IKE Richmond can conform to the laws de-
mahds IN order to protect the bodies and char
actors of guests, surely they can be equally Just
and equally true toward men and women who
/ Gwell among them.
Prior to Mayor Atnslie's order Richmond's
segregated district in fun blast Vice was
rampant Along with 1t depravity and disease
prospered. Special arrangements were made for
the great influx of young men Saloons pre-
pared to pour their poisons into thousands Of
new victims The dive prepared to take and
keep them and fleece them until debauchery
and revelry were at end
Suddenly the Mayor acted. The dives are
closed. The red light has gone out for two
Gays and boys and men who attend the football
game will he safe from at least one form Of
evil. The crash OF strident music the rnerri-
ment Of painted misery and dissipation will hide
behind closed doors and closed shutters and
Richmond viii have moment and a space of
purity and health.
Tomorrow the music and misery. the dssip pa
ton and defogmity. viii omen their doors and
their shutters and the red light viii glow
brightly as ever The endless line OF boys and
men VIII resume its ceaseIess pressure. and the
canker Of shame and disgrace and OF decay and
ruin will return to its former yigor.
And Richmonds police, having thrown their
protection about football game. will watch the
procession pass along. Listening to the music
of the district they will guard with care its
painted misery and mock the pleas Of those who
would have it Observation-Disclosures World News
should Frown Upon II.
I Tho ensational sheets of the North are be-
coming more and more disgusting and obscene,
+. as the wears grow and the reading public
approves-some by patronlzng with avidity
while the others keep silence Many Of our
Southern papers have bit at the bait. and sun
day editions found largely made UP with
| this cooperative nasty stuff Some editions
before us Of last Sunday nauseating in the
extreme and should not be countenanced by de-
cont people. Pictures OF nude dancers, eugenic
couples and what not less revolving than
the eprous reading.
/ No wonder certain Sunday papers for
hidden their homes by decent people And
this class should be augmented by all thought
ful persons who look with dtsfavor upon the
many modern methods TO make wise and poi
son the minds OF the young. The hilihoards and
plays of some cities-Rchmond. for instance
censured let the pictures and reading. in
a certain class Of cooperative Sunday sheets
are not one whit less injurious or revolving
Virginia Citizen