by Elizabeth Blackwell

“ The growing sense of justice, when the authorities work in the right direction in checking social vice, is shown by the determination of the Glasgow municipality to obtain the power of arresting men in brothels. ↑ At common law—" Every brothel is a nuisance liable to indictment." "Every brothel-keeper is liable to fine and imprisonment." "Solicitation in the streets is a legal offence in London as much as it is in Glasgow." ”

“ It is seen also that the last system gradually destroys individual responsibility; little by little it produces cynicism, corruption, and a deep-seated moral degradation in all classes of society, which at last kills the sense of evil in the individual conscience, and thus destroys both the will and the power of a nation to regenerate itself. ”

“ Viewed from no higher stand-point than that of profit and loss in property, the benefits are apparent and tangible; but when the social and moral advantages are taken into account, the removal of seductive temptations from the youthful and thoughtless, and not infrequently from the intoxicated and foolish adult ”

“ Any citizen possessing evidence of the wrongful use of house or premises, may apply to the police, and the magistrate, on complaint of the Procurator-Fiscal, grants a search warrant, lasting thirty days, by means of which an officer of police, accompanied always by an entirely independent witness, may at any time enter such place, and carry off persons or things in evidence. The complaint of the citizen must be the first step in the proceedings. ”

“ It is seen that the first system permits great and dangerous evils to run into license, leaving them to be dealt with solely through individual effort, and through the action of the moral and religious organizations, which in a Christian country gradually arise to combat them—organizations indispensable to social progress, but lacking the coherence, force, and educating influence of righteous law. ”

“ The powers thus conferred to suppress brothels, and to maintain order and decency in the streets, violate no constitutional rights, and leave the police force responsible to the municipality. The police in Glasgow are not a foreign body, imposed by some distant power, and irresponsible to the authorities of the town. The police wear their uniform; they are not disguised in plain clothes as spies upon the inhabitants. Again, the police are required to join the support of the respectable citizen to their own action, whenever they are obliged to perform exceptional acts. ”

“ In reference to municipal action, it is necessary to dwell somewhat at length upon the method employed in Glasgow, because in that city we have proof from actual experience, that all the beneficial results vainly sought for by the Female Regulation System can be obtained without the destruction of social conscience which inevitably follows that corrupt method of organizing female vice. ”

“ The facts recorded in the foregoing pages prove the dangers arising from letting vice alone; and they also prove to demonstration, the social demoralization resulting from the registration and regulation of the women who take part in promiscuous intercourse. ”

“ From twenty to thirty years ago brothels were large places, occupying three or four flats, with a large number of windows, and in the evenings they were all lighted up, the blinds drawn up, so as to attract outward attention, and very frequently you would have seen the inmates lying over the window in a semi-nude state, just to draw the attention of men passing along the streets. ”

“ The reports abound with letters from these grateful girls.
The important subject of venereal disease is successfully met and provided for, as far as fallen women are concerned. Any measures which tend to check promiscuous intercourse are necessarily beneficial, because it is this evil which is the origin and cause of disease.
No woman who is diseased is admitted as a resident of the Magdalen Institution. No compulsion is exercised, but she is advised to enter the Lock Hospital, and afterward return to the Magdalen. ”

“ The facts in relation to brothels, and the effect of law and public opinion upon them, is noteworthy. In 1849, with a population of 314,000, and an inert public opinion, there were 211 brothels, with 538 inmates. In 1870, with a population of 510,816, and a public opinion gradually awakening to the evil, there were 204 brothels. ”

“ The people wind it up of themselves. (7570-71.) "The motive power in applying for a warrant must be the citizen. The motive power must always be independent of the police."
By another section of the Act public solicitation is made illegal: "Every prostitute or street-walker [3] loitering in any road, street, court, or common stair, or importuning passengers for the purpose of prostitution shall be liable to a fine of 10s. ”