Ross v. Commonwealth

This writ of error brings up for revision the question whether the owner of a house (in a city) kept by his tenant, with his knowledge and presumed consent, as a bawdry, and rented by him “to be kept as such,” and with a knowledge that it would be so prostituted, is guilty of aiding in a public nuisance, and is, therefore, punishable by indictment for a misdemeanor.

As the keeping of a bawdy house is a public offence, every person who voluntarily aids in establishing such a pestilent nuisance, should be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Although an unlawful intention or motive, without any…