Amending Old Laws to Punish New Governors
The Mann Act was passed in 1910 its purpose was to prosecute people who were in the business of trafficking young girls for the means of prostitution across state lines. This law was set into motion to combat immigrants who kidnapped women and forced them to work into brothels. The official title of the law is White Slave Traffic Act, because the women that were kidnapped were driven to prostitution out of fear. The law is a product of its time, but since 1910 it's undergone a few Amendments to keep it important to modern times.
The current interest within the Mann Act has been sparked by New York's Governor Eliot Spitzer. Prosecutors are considering charging Governor Spitzer of violating the law. Though, Governor Spitzer is the most current celebrity to be linked to the Mann Act he isn't the sole one. African American boxer Jack Johnson, film star Charlie Chaplin, and musician Chuck Berry have all been prosecuted under the Mann Act. Jack Johnson received the most sentence of 1 year and one day. Mr. Johnson's conviction has been purported to be a racist act, as a result of the woman he was transporting was his white girlfriend. Charlie Chaplin was charged, but not found guilty. Chuck Berry served five years for a selection of various charges similarly as the Mann Act. In Mr. Berry's case it was a young Apache lady that he contracted to work at his club as a hat check girl who was later convicted with prostitution.
The Mann Act's 1st amendment occurred in 1978 when it included within the transportation of minors for each male and feminine sexes. In 1986 the protection of minors was furthered also replacing out dated terminology. The 1986 change replaced "debauchery" and "any alternative immoral purpose" for "any sexual issues for which any individual can be charged with a criminal offense."
The Mann Act has acted as a tool for social stigma being the case with Johnson and Chaplin. It is understandable that federal prosecutors would wish to charge Spitzer with the Mann Act for degrading his reputable position. If he's found guilty below some nuance of the Mann Act it'd definitely be federal prosecutors making an example of him. For the governor of such a huge state to be involved with any illegal activity is unacceptable.
The Mann Act has been used as a slap on the hand within the past, however it should not be abused to shame people. Spitzer is stepping down from workplace and has to figure through the damages his selections are going to take on his marriage. He will be put on trial and convicted for soliciting prostitution. There is no need for public flogging anymore, thus there should not be a pressure to charge him of the Mann Act. Society has evolved beyond the point of cruelty and shame as a type of punishment. The man is ashamed enough of what he has done, thus why should there be a need to reproach him any further on the matter.
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