Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-11-16


sfthe game Withdrew people from employment, Nc
body pretends, that ntrnsically billiards ore crim
nal-ihat they vtate the mind, or lead to loss OF
money, character, wealth--or that in fact they
do not promote 'he latter. Billiard tables are large
things and cannot be hidden in corner. Hence
the Legislature has succeeded in suppressipg them
whilst Faro has fourshed more vigorously upon every
fresh penalty demo ,,.ced against it's exhibition. Bill
lizards extinct, but there ten Faro Banks
for formerly Can that system of Legislation
the greater evl5 Is i, worth while to Danish Bill
lizards, when Faro fourishes in every street? Is it
Just to deprive those who respect the laws, of an
innocent and elegant amusement. while those who
set the laws at defiance, not deprived of the pow
of prosecuting practices faE injurious to the
morals of the community? Does morality gain any
thing by the suppression of Billiards, when games
OF chance are not and cannot be suppressed 1t
must be obvious to every observer, that the removal
OF the temptation to dleness held out by Billiards. has
been attended by evils infinitely overbalancing that
benefit If that elegant game were tolerated, those
hours which hang heavy would be passed at the Bill
lard table, instead Of the Faro. Sociability, and
not the love of gaming, il the great which in
ducts 30 many into dssipated habits, and if this dis
position could be gratified by finding Billiard Room.
1t would rarely seek for Faro Bank. As long
human nature requires, or at least will have, amuse
ments and relaxation, so long will it continue true
wisdom in Legislatures and communities, to
age instead of suppress Billiards, the least PERM
cious of all games. The question ought to be, not
whether youth land age too) shall indulge in amuse
neht-for that is question which nature has already
setled-but what sort of amusement is least detr-
mental to the purse, the health, and the morsls1-
Whether Billiards, or the Faro and Cards? Whett-
the secrecy made necessary by the severity of the
laws, and Its train of deep betting, fraudulent pract-
ces, and ruin, or that public exposure which imposes
restraints upon the conduct of the players is prefera
BILE We assert, what will be confirmed By every
observer, that the suppression of Billiards has a
direct and necessary tendency increase that kind
of gambling which cannot survive the light. Let
the conscences of those who fear that the federation
of Billiards would operate encouragement of
vice ard ideness be assured that their Introduction
much more powerfully encourages them.
While no can doubt the patriotic in
tentions Of former Legislatures, every man we
think must see, less from positive and unde-
niable effects, than from reasoning, tina the sys-
TEN of penal legislation directed against gaming is
radically erroneous, and that it has increased and ag
gravated the mischief. When Faro was publicly ex-
hibted there less of it, and far less ruinous bet
ting, than hat it has been driven by the severi-
ty of the Legislature, holes and recesses bari
cadoed by the fear of justice, and penetrated
by the light ofday Observation acted restraint
and the whole class which depended upon public opn
ion, fed from indulgence which that public wit
messed and condemned. Not so now when the bad
policy ofthe Legislature in the attempt to exrpate
mischief far beyond the power of any authority, has
from observ alton and censurs the very class whose
safety moved the denuncations of the Legislature,
can with comparative impunity, indulge in those
are known to be in danger.
We understand with pleasure, That the attention of
the Legislature will be called to these now obvious
and universally lin the neighborhoods of the mschief1
admitted truths and we hope that it will result in
change of system which by openly toeratng faro and
its kindred games offers the only possible chance of
suppressng it, by exposing it to the action of public
observation and opinion There is not exhibitor of
Faro, who will not admit this conclusion, deny
that legislation has contributed than oil other
causes, to his success.
We invite our Editorial brethren to consider these
Subjects especially that of billiards, and to aid in the
circulation of petitions for signatures
The Election Luoos.-We have received from
Winchester, (for signatures, the draft of memori-
al addressed to the General Assembly, praying
certain alterations in the election laws which we
republish below and which solicit the attentive
consideration Of the Public.
The first change suggested, of having the elections
the same day throughout the Commonwealth, has
long appeared to important for the speedy res
toration of social harmony, after has been disturb
ed by such contests, aud defeat the combinations
manouverlng and Intrigue always put in motion to
controul the spontaneous expression Of popular WILL
when elections for the same officer fall on successive
and distant days, that nothing but absence prevented
from getting friend in the Convention urge 1t
as constitutional provision. In favor Of tho exist
nractice of hnlliua elecilnns the resnsctire