INCREASE OF IMMORALITY

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 11, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 37.

INCREASE OF IMMORALITY.

There seems to be no end of the means by which immorality increases, but nothing is more prolific than the calling together of great and prolonged convocations of people for mere pleasure, curiosity, and abnormal speculation. General Miles has objected to allowing the cadets to visit the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo until some of the immoral features of the “midway” shows have been eliminated, and his objection has met considerable ridicule. But there are some people who think it is well to have public attention called to the evil of encouraging these things. For instance the Commoner says:—

Immorality will grow all too fast in this country without importing so-called “Oriental” features to add to the list. The Chicago “midway” was a distinct novelty; but it can not be disputed that it pandered in many ways to the lowest appetites, and gave an impetus to immorality that has not yet been checked. Since the Chicago Exposition the country has had a surfeit of “Oriental” features that pander to the baser instincts, and the evils resulting therefrom are measured by the lowering of the moral standard. To-day men and women crowd to see exhibitions that would not have been tolerated by the police fifteen years ago.