A YEAR or so ago, Chicago was in the lime-light among the reformers who were working to suppress vice, and such an excellent work was done that very many people thought Chicago was going to be cleaned up.
But an active attorney for the state who has been working quite commendably and heroically in Chicago during recent months, finds that "we have evidence to show that some detectives not only share the booty of pickpockets, but actually travel with them in streetcars, suggesting victims, and standing ready to aid in case of detection."
These plagues of crime break out in one city after another throughout the world. They show that regardless of our apparently exalted civilization, we are infested with crowds of criminals, many of whom masquerade in the garb of gentility and refinement. Men and women should learn how to look at existing facts when they are considering the conditions of this world, rather than to be influenced by the clamorous talk of men who disregard the facts and insist upon teaching us that the world is getting better all the time. One city after another is "cleaned up," according to the records; but the next time it has to be cleaned up, often it is discovered that the last state is worse than the first.
The efforts of our reformers, however, and our law-abiding citizens who are combating these things, are not without effect, and they should be encouraged in their work; for what an awful condition this world would be in but for those who are exposing and opposing lawlessness and crime!
But we must not make the mistake of believing that men will be successful in converting this world through the civilizing reforms that are advocated. The Bible is the one beacon that shows what we may expect, and in its light we can see the outcome clearly. Unless we are guided by its light, we shall have one surprise after another, until finally we see the world go down in its everlasting ruin at the second coming of Christ.
