The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-24
THE ADVANCEMENT OF MORALITY.

Every effort for better conditions Of living,
fer increased moral influence. FOR upright citi.
sensh.p. encounters difficulties that must be
overcome With hard labor and sometimes with
sazertag. TIE harder the struggle the greater
the victory. We are glad that there are indis-
putahls evidences OF great steps forward IN the
living conditions Of the people Of this city.
The report OF the Vice Commission marks q
great advance in public sentiment. With so
powerful statement of facts and so strong an
srraigurnent OF conditions, the decent men and
women of Richmond could not he imagined as
I'm any other frame OF mind than that which
demands and will have the strictest enforcement
of the law by the authorities. The report Of
this commission has already resulted in the en-
forcement Of law that for years has been an
absolutely dead letter on the statute books.
This alone is a great stride forward.
We are glad that the members OF this COM
mission. men Of sound sense and Judgment. are
pursuing the they have blocked out with
10 swerving or argument They realize wisely
and justly, that in a task such as theirs only
the most absolute certainty can secure results,
sihu VIC aAe LiHh WY WIN bob NC 'h1it,O Wy
hostile newspaper criticism into any action not
based absolute assurance of facts. The com
munication addressed to the body by the Mayor
asking for final report at rs early date as
practicable win. we doubt not, receive the atten.
ton it deserves coming from the chief execu
tive Of the city The commissioner are sure
from its actions-realizes that so important
work is not TO be considered lightly or acted or
merely TO crafty the desire of some to secure
hasty and perhaps unsatisfactory result.
The arrest of persons charged with and con
Tossing the grossest indignities toward little
girls, is evidence that tho people of Richmond
are awakening, and will further awake TO the
necessity for active interest in the living con
ditions of their fellow citizens, The case brings
most sharply to the attention OF the community
the question of protecting our young boys and
girls--a creed The Vir9inidn has been proclaim
ing since ii born.
Citizens of Richmond. and the authorities ii
particular, must realize that the rapid growth
OF Richmond demands q greater interest aut
activity In protecting our young life FROM evi
Influences.
The arrest OF clearinghouse keeper and on
OF her guests by two members of the police
force appears TO have been unfortunate. In re
form work the police doubtless recognize tina
some mistakes will be made Where Official:
who are honestly convinced OF grounds for ar
rest take measures to enforce the law they are
to be supported by the public. If IL appears that
the two members of the police force In the case
before the public had honest convictions fol
their action and made an innocent mistake. the
officials and the public will to it that they
do not suffer.
But the fact that there viii necessarily be
some mistakes should not restrain the police
authorities from pushing the campaign for the
strict enforcement Of the law. The moral sen
timent OF the city. aroused by many incidents OF
the recent past and present, will support them
In strong measures against immortality and will
In fact. demand that there be no let up in the
suppression of all forms of evil.