SOCIAL REFORM.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 744, 1 December 1870, Page 3

SOCIAL REFORM.

(To the Editor of the Westport Times and Charleston Argus.) Sir, —I recently witnessed a little political life by attending a meeting in the Masonic Hall, "Westport. It does bne good to see these manifestations of beat in a community, as/they indicate jthe existence, of something which plight be very advantageously developed. There is anpther. kind of uife, however, which has intruded.itself on my notice when visiting town, land it is generally known as "fast life," or " a short life, and a merry one." While your politicians are laudably striving to " make two blades of grass grow where one grew before/' there is jalso plenty of work to be found for unemployed philanthropists, at which they might brace their enervated energies, and keep. their blades bright, in suppressing that which, if left to grow in the same luxuriant mariner as it is at present, will cause trouble in the future. This subject has .been under consideration on various occasions in the hut, and arguments have been brought forward on both aides, with a good deal of apparent fervor ; but when it came to be decided, the following resolution was proposed arid carried un-

animpusly:— ■ " It is the opinion of this meeting that it is necessary to secure greater and more general, regard for morality in this district, and to this end every legitimate effort should be made to

thwart and destroy the influences at work to secure the supremacy of vice." I do not know what would be the fate of such a resolution in a public meeting, but I might venture to suggest that it is a matter of as vital importance to our welfare as the protection of the Buller banks or annual visits of the Superintendent of the Proviuce, while the subject of it falls much more directly under the control of the townspeople. The business arising by'the circulation of money through such a vicious channel as that indicated, shows itself to have such a degrading and ruinous effect on those who are so engaged, that their activity in it, if resembling anything earthly, is more like the activity of worms in a putrid carcase than anything else; while like worms, they continue to live on corruption so long as it lasts, and become themselves, in due time, a prey to other vermin. It must be acknowledged that any landlord is placed in a most humiliating position indeed who has to depend for his rents on the success of prostitution in his premises. It may be said that it is easy for those who are not tempted by having houses to let to write in this way, and that, however excellent the line of conduct suggested may be, it is impracticable. As this objection, however, is more imaginary than actual to what has been said, it will not be attempted to reply to it here. Apologising for not having brought this subject under your notice a considerable time ago, I subscribe myself, yours, <&c, Black Satcd. November 26.