e order would be followed by a saturnalia of
crime and rapes. I am free to confess that even the honest doubters
could advance many plausible arguments on the utter absurdity of trying
to totally suppress this evil. But now, after a few months' trial, one
of the most convincing (if somewhat amusing) tributes to the unqualified
success we have met with, in spite of the most diabolical opposition, is
the manner in which officials of all degrees of importance are now
jumping into our band-wagon and actually trying to crowd us out.

The fact that we have an army post and a full regiment of cavalrymen was
repeatedly advanced with arguments and statements as to what might be
expected from this source alone if the red light districts were
abolished. It is true that soldiers were giving the city much trouble at
that time. Murders and rapes were becoming common occurrences. Loud and
indignant protests were being made by citizens and the press of the city
was filled with debates of what to do with soldiers and the army post.

With the suppression of the segregated districts all trouble with
soldiers ceased as if by magic. It was very clearly proved that with
temptations removed soldiers are quite as good as average citizens, and
there is no further talk of removing the fort from this city. All
through the troublous times of "red-light," however, the officers,
non-commissioned officers and the very many respectable soldiers, were
always eager and ready to co-operate with the police for the maintenance
of law and order.

No one questions the success of the suppression of public houses of
prostitution in this city, and no disinterested person questions the
beneficent effect. What the future holds is open to serious conjecture.
Some of the advocates of segregation have loudly expressed the hope that
a brothel would be set up by the side of each "preacher's" door, so that
the city would be glad to return to segregation. A city election will be
held next spring, complicated with a fierce struggle for the
congressional nomination. There is no doubt the so-called "liberal
element" will be a unit for an open town, while the better elements, as
usual, will be confused and divided. In the event of the election of a
reactionary who could secure control of the Department of Public Safety,
the cause of clean and moral city government would receive a decided
setback. Nothing less than everlasting vigilance by the heads of the
police departmen