Page:Wrong and Right Methods of Dealing with Social Evil - Elizabeth Blackwell (1883).djvu/58

48 power in applying for a warrant must be the citizen. The motive power must always be independent of the police."

By another section of the Act public solicitation is made illegal: "Every prostitute or street-walker loitering in any road, street, court, or common stair, or importuning passengers for the purpose of prostitution shall be liable to a fine of 10s. or 14 days' imprisonment." The powers thus conferred to suppress brothels, and to maintain order and decency in the streets, violate no constitutional rights, and leave the police force responsible to the municipality. The police in Glasgow are not a foreign body, imposed by some distant power, and irresponsible to the authorities of the town. The police wear their uniform; they are not disguised in plain clothes as spies upon the inhabitants. Again, the police are required to join the support of the respectable citizen to their own action, whenever they are obliged to perform exceptional acts.

Since 1870 these powers have been vigorously used. Mr. McCall states: "I have held out every facility that