Page:Wrong and Right Methods of Dealing with Social Evil - Elizabeth Blackwell (1883).djvu/67

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SOCIAL EVIL.
57

births in Glasgow during this administration. In 1869 the tables show the proportion of illegitimate to legitimate births to be in 1869, 9.7; in 1870, 9.5; in 1871, 9.4. In the last report it had fallen to 8.2, having fallen from 9.7 to 8.2 during the ten years, or the period of active enforcement of law.

The reports showing the relation of crime and vice, and its diminution when active measures are taken to repress vice, are noteworthy, as they afford such a re-markable contrast to the increase of crime which has been shown to exist in Paris under the Female Organization system.

It is stated, "The summary of thefts is instructive of the good which has flowed from the efforts made by the magistrates and police to minimize street prostitution and brothel-keeping in the Municipality. From the years from 1860 to 1869 the total number of informations lodged for street thefts, with or without violence, was 5,067, and the value of the property stolen was £24,446 2s. 4d. From 1870 to 1879 the number of informations of thefts was 2,887, and the value of the property stolen was £11,508 19s. 4d. Thus also in thefts committed in brothels during the first period informations were 3,804, and property stolen £16,843 12s. 6d., but during the latter period only 808 informations, with value of property, £3,077 1s. 11 d.

The testimony of this intelligent, honest, and ex-