Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-25

| Open vice is challenge to the
church and Christianity. Men doubt
the genuineness of a theology which
has no quarrel with the saloon. brothel
or gambling house within sound of its
church bell. Real religion will not
permit its possessor to remain restful
and supine where humanity is ex-
plotted, wronged and ruined by known
persons at known places, who daily
violate the laws of the State and
grossly infringe American social stan
dards and ideals.
The commerciaiization of vice can
be abated in any city or place. My
city Washington was filled with
prostitution. gambling and drunken
ness six years ago. The International
Reform Bureau drafted and promoted
to enactment a bill, which closed more
than 100 brothels; the gambling de-
vices were all removed; after a united
effort, prohibition of the liquor traffic
was adopted. You can't f1nd even a
rattle card or punch broad in Wash
ington; there are no known places Of
prostitution, and our faithful police
will hustle out the liquor in the same
thoroughgoing manner after Novem-
Der l.
Our entrance into the world war the
mobilization of our militia and the
raising of vast army have revived
prostitution, according to reports and
observations. Furthermore, the gov
arnment's policy of training our SOL
diers in the south, has removed our
young men to that portion Of the coun-
try wher ebrothels are by custom most
generally tolerated and where are few
est of the twenty-seven states which
have adopted red light injunction
laws" for the general elimination Of
disorderly houses. Soldiers camps are
located near several southern cities
where last year and this year I saw
great segregations of brothels under
police supervision. The purity issue
now transcends the temperance issue,
in relation to the morals, health and
efficiency Of our troops.
A Commercial Enterprise.
Prostitution exists for the financial
profit of prostitutes, brothei-keepers,
pinlps, procurers, landlords, doctors,
politicians and grating officers. In
New Orleans the brothel incomes ag-
gregate about 100000 per year: they
were 100000 in Milwaukee, $780,
100000 in Philadelphia and SIS, 900
in Chicago. Chief-of- police Greecy Of
st. Louis said there were 20 houses in
that city taking $500 or more per day
by robbery of patrons. A brothel-
keeper said, You reformers make US
some trouble, the blue law officials do
more, but our big tax is to grease the
palms Of these officials, who
pretend to be our friends"
This traffic also exists as business
| to afford facilities for bachelors and
married men, who desire to commit
fornication and adultery with the
minimum of risk and inconvenience.
All regulative systems which I have
observed from Quebec to New Orleans
had this end in view. Inspections.
municipal clinics, enrollments, ETC., are
all for the protection of the male Of
fender. Physicians are now endors-
! ing what the Catholic celibate clergy
proves, that confluence promotes
virility. If incontinence is necessary,
| the unrepentant Magdalene should
have a place at the Lords Supper, or
in your home, like the soldier, sheriff
or surgeon, who kills, electrocutes or
cuts that good may come out of evil.
The Meanest Of All Vices.
While the liquor traffic and the
gambling interests reach out after men
mostly, prostitution preys on woman
hood and employs persuasion decep-
! ton and force. Men with any sense Of
chivalry will oppose a business which
DESTROYS the weaker cay for tho In
dulgence of the stronger. This des-
picahle business is always seeking af-
ter youth and innocence, because from
these the largest profits may be de-
rived. The basest designs do not prick
the panderer's conscience.
The female victims of commercial
lied prostitution are of b-normal
mentality in so to 80 per cent. Of all
cases, according to the Binet- Simon
tests, which have been made at Bed