Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-07
The Vice Commissions Report

II is not to be doubted that Mayor Ainsiie will
1 follow the counsel OF the Vice Commits
sion and order the closing of the segregated
district. The commission is of his creation.
and he bound himself in advance to abide by
its conclusions Moreover. the report. what
ever its other deficiencies. is clear enough in
its finding that the segregated district fails
10 Segregate, even in large part. and thus
fails to achieve the hopes of its former ad-
vocates or 10 pl Divide the only excuse for its
liberation.
We are willing TO accept the conclusions OF
the commission. that the closing OF the
houses in the segregated district and other
places of CommercialiZed vice throughout the
city will result i'll the Improvement of public
morals. AT any rate. as the existing system
IS an obvious failure. it would seem the part
OF sound policy to adopt another with at
least the chance of larger success.
IT is perfectly true, as the commission SAYS
mat past failures to correct this evil do not
excuse this generation from renewed and
earnest attempts to solve the problem. but
these historical reverses, that begin with re-
corded time certainly counsel caution and
wise moderation of speech and action
Ihis evil exists, and If there is any part of
the thinking public that has remained un-
aware of that fact it is we'll that the educa-
uonal lack should be remedied. The situa-
ton. as The Times Dispatch has said in
previous editorial. calls for the plainest of
plain speech" There is no lack of one
variety of such speech in the commission re-
port, but ii is not the sort The Times Dis
patch meant
The report shows that dsorderly houses
are maintained publicly and VIGOROUSLY, in
various parts of the city other than the segre-
gated district. Even the meanest inteli-
gence can understand that such houses can
not be operated without the knowledge and
"a az t1,. ,.lt,
must he placed either on the individual
policemen on the beat or on their superior
officers
The report leaves no doubt where the
wee commission places IT, In the absence
OF all commentator of the Board of Police
commissioners in the recommendation that
tie Chief OF Police should have absolute
control. as commander in fact as we'll as in
name. there is the plain and compelling i'm
plcation that. in the view or these inyesti-
gators, the board has failed to do its duty.
Under this stigma, moreover. the whole
board rests to-day. There is no exception
OF q single one of its members. We respect
fully submit that if this involves Injustice
to any man. that wrong should be righted
and righted promptly.
II patrolmen have not done what their
oath and obligation required them to do. at
whose direction were they so dereict? Vice
cannot exist publicly without protection.
Who supplied it in these instances?
That is the sort Of plain speech in which
The Times-Dispatch believes the commission
should indulge Reform that yields its lash
only on the most pitiful and in many cases
the most helpless and pathetic of human
creatures is not the type of reform that com
mends itself 10 the approval of thinking men
The report indicates that it is only one
of series. the others of which will be forth
coming at the earliest practicable time
Under the circumstances il ought to be
insisted most firmly that this phrase is prom
erly and Justly synonymous only with the
Immediate present