p. 272 | The White Slave Decision by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 20, 1913

The White Slave Decision

By C. M. S.

The Supreme Court’s decision as to the constitutionality of what is known as the White Slave law is generally regarded as the most advanced step yet taken by the Supreme Court in construing the powers of the federal government over interstate commerce. The law was passed in 1910, and since its passage there have been 337 convictions of persons engaged in interstate transportation of women for immoral purposes.

The sentences pronounced upon these persons total 607 years, and the fines amount to $66,695.50. In addition to this, 106 cases were pending at the time these figures were announced. The Attorney-General asked for an appropriation double the amount previously appropriated to enable the government to increase its efficiency in detecting such criminals and bringing about their conviction.

In answering the contention of the opponents of the law that as persons have a right to move freely from one State to another it can not be considered criminal for another person to assist them in doing what they have a right to do, the Supreme Court answers: “The contention confounds things important to be distinguished. It urges a right exercised in morality to sustain a right to be exercised in immorality.” The court places this contention on the same ground with that which opposed the law against sending obscene literature through the mail and the law against the use of the mails by lottery concerns. The court then says: “It is misleading to say that men and women have a right. Their rights can not fortify or sanction their wrongs, and if they employ interstate transportation as a facility of their wrongs, it may be forbidden them to the extent of the act of July 25, 1910.” The decision of the court holding the law in question to be constitutional will do much toward hindering the business of that class of moral degenerates known as the white-slavers, who deceive, entrap, ruin, and induct into a life of shame thousands of unsuspecting girls and young women every year. Regarding the interests and the rights of the individuals affected by that immoral traffic, there could not have been a more important law passed. That the Supreme Court has found it constitutional should be cause for rejoicing on the part of every friend of humanity.

C. M. S.