The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-23
INDICATING THE v1RGINIAN.

INDICATING THE NlRGiNtAN.
The whole course Of the work of the Vice Com
mission, its report and events that have followed
after, have had one very distinct bearing. That
Is an absolute yindication Of She position main
tanned by this paper since its loundation that
vice must be suppressed and combatted at every
turn. we have maintained that the scgregate I'd
district should be abolished that the Law
against scattered houses of vice, against all
aids TO vice. should be strictly and rigidly en-
forced. We have watched. therefore. with some
amusement the efforts Of our various local con
temporares to come out quite suddenly with
somewhat unbecoming and unaecustomed air OF
injured innocence. and their pose as shocked
defenders OF the public welfare against evils
that have long existed under their noses and
by their tacit protectiou We have noted with
something of very naturally righteous indgna-
tion their direct and indirect insnuatons that
the Vice Commission does not know what it is
talking about. and that in some devious and
unknown way that report reflects the in-
segrity OF the Board of Police Commissioners,
body that has persstenty refused 10 enforce
the law or to demand of the Mayor that he
enforce il.
recent statement OF the chairman of the
Vice Commission states that at the time of The
commissions appointment no one, save one
newspaper" raised any protest to the mp
posntment lie states;
$50 far as can be recalled protest has
been lifted at any time by any one, save one
newspaper, 10 the appointment OF this com
mission. Eope of thGse who have very re
Gently awakened To the utter folly of appoint.
ing this commission have given the public th'
benefit Of their farther seeing minds through
al the long months cf this commissions ex
stence."
The Tiroinson is very glad indeed that when
the commission was appointed it made its po
sititon perfectly understood. At that time, as
always, held that appointment OF the com
mission by the Mayor better than doing
nothing. but that such move should not pre-
vent him from enforcing the law against the
segregated district and other places Of immoral
practice. The FiyDlnian is glad that its position
10 understood.
At that time in discussing the commission,
we said in our issue OF March ~, 1914
.It was thought by many that the work OF
such commission was unnecessary, that the
awful facts We're already known ana that such
Il an Investigation would II carried on. publicly
Y minister to the hunger for sensation aud So
aacio>s details
There have been several such interpretations
In recent years aud in various places, and the
reports have been Published and are open to
those who desire to make study Of the SUBJ
feet. These reports are so full that il really
eeems exceedingly doubtful whether anything
ran he gained BY INVESTIGATION or thls kind
In Virginia, for thcre are no peCuNar condi-
q tons. hut only the plain bald. facts which are
4 chaFactsristic OF the evil everywhere, No COM
49,
mental reasons for the existence Of CONNER
ciaiized vice, namely, appetite and coYetous-
n 0ess
..rhe segregated district Is an ally of these
twin lusts Il aids both tine sensual ard the
covetous 10 accomplish their purpose Ii ha,
every advantage over %teaithy and private vice
II liz Hike the sign III tho merchant on his
xiaow Windows. II issues a caIl 70 the GUS
i toner, and the customers Hock from every
quarter because they spared the need Il
4 search and the possibility Of arrest.
THE segregated district is sin without Law
IL fear Of the law, and is a crime perpetra ted
Il by the city officials themselves upon society.
1.-THE NirSinian believes that the Mayor has
selected IA commission Of a high type of mer
and women and that they will take UP tn,
/ task assigned them with determination II
n do what they can for the bettcrment Of con,
d dstions and that they Will recommend action
N which will be helpful
]. .It Is certainly a step forward TO appoint
IA commission rather than to do nothing. ant
RI the Mayor IS 10 oe commended for his dis
satisfaction with existing conditions But Th'
NJ Nirginian can but wish that the Mayor woulC
n tissue order TO the police to close the houses
6N If the segregated district ana thus pat an enc
N 10 the unhoiy partgersnip Of the city with
b vice. for The city il partner ia Il the wick
~ edness committed there and Ii responsible foj
IN the physical ana mental diseases and death!
hi which issue therefr2m until il has enforced
IL the laws the statute books of Virginia OF
u this subject
ID Having appointed a commission, why no
IA Abolish the red light district until the commits
Il sion reports that It Is a necessity for the mora
ltetterment of the community, the polio
IN EnArd seems 10 claim?
a With these recorded words Of ours and III
work and words Of the Vice Commission IN
ffyginsan stands before the people for thei
Nerdicf It's position. INDICATED or con
81 1o1nned BY tho report and the results?
TIE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT on OPIUM