Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-26
URGES VOTERS TO GET
BEHIND INVESTIGATORS
Rev. j. T. Mastin, D. d., Speaks
Plainly Of Vice Conditions
in Richmond.
SAYS LAWS CAN BE ENFORCED
Judge OF Hastings Court, Part H.,
Warns Newly-Qualificd Citizens to
Choose In Balloting Only Officials
Who Will Keep Their Oaths.

III could, 1 would IL were you try
to let the Council Committee investi-
eating vice conditions here know that
we are behind them until 1t renders a
verdict for n cleaner city" said Rev.
). L. Mastin. D. D.. secretary of the
state Board of Charities and Correc-
lions, last night in discussing vice
conditions in Richmond before n large
meeting OF men in Central Methodist
church, South Richmond. That is the
hrst thing we should do. and then we
Snouid vote for cleaner city and for
clean men in office. and lastly we should
about it," w 'N
The church was filed with men. it
ocihS service for men only, and in
tense interest in DR. Mastins words
was manifested. The services were
cndcd by stirring appeal from judge
fIrnest ii. Wells. OF Hastings Court
Part H., to register as soon ms thev
become OF age ana TO regard tho over
use OF the suffrage rs duty and privi-
i"Ec' ana always to vote for men who
VIII Keep their oaths OF office
DENIES THAT LAWS CANNOT
HE ENFORCED IN CITIES
Dr. Mastin said that in March. 1914.
me wee Commission was ap-
pointed, there were only five cities or
more than 100000 population which
maintained segregated districts. ana
now, with the elimination of tho Rich
mona district. there arc only four.
- Is not true. either. DR.. Mastin ar
Sued. that the law cannot be enforced
ana he recalled the remarks of CO.
erhi police witnesses appearing before
me vice Commission. who said That n
me good people of the city would back
me ioiice Department, a clean city
could be had. That" he said &c ,
mond." VI i'''h
re regarded tho segregated district
as the center of lawlessncss. and in ~
Su'hS that segregation does not really
csreGate he said that the Vice Com
mission had received information of 100
suspected houses outside the district
JUDGE WELLS URGES
YOUNG MEN TO VOTE
In urging the young men to register
ana pay their taxes as soon as thev
become OF age, Judge Wells said that
they would then be equipped to start
out as citizens. And let me say in all
earnestness," he continued Won arc
not man and not fully equipped unless
you are able to say that you can cast
an honest ballot in any election The
suffrage is priceless heritage Too
much depends on ii. Then you must as
certain who is asking for your ballot.
and what sort OF man he is You should
suffrage and those who get it owe Won
outy before man and God And II Is
your duty and privilege to see as far
as you have the facilities that they
carry out their duties as they promise.
summed up, every citizen should do his
duty and see that others perform theirs.
Let the consequences take care of them
selves.
II urge on you the importance of per-
forming your individual duty yourself
ana TO see that your neighbors have
proper information that they may per-
form their duty. too. Then you will see
an avalanche OF good descend upon the
city, and Richmond become leader
among all the cities of the entire coun-
try And God grant that such thing
may come to u.s."
Rev. w. a. Cooper, the pastor, closed
with n few words. in which he urged
the men to exercise their votes in order
to drive vice and lawlessness from the
city. The speakers were introduced by
Professor T.. T. Smith