Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-09-29
To the Members of the Legislature.

| see It Is in vogue to address YOU tbronoh the press. l initiate the example but not to solicit office at your hands. seek rather to give you hint in the way of legislation which think will be of benefit to the State. You have upon your statute book an act to prevent gambling. For twenty years that act has been the law of the land, and it is very questionable II there has been any less gamb- ing In consequence. therefore recomm end to your consideration the passage of an act to license gambling houses and gamblers; and as the rcadiest way of presenting my ideas on tn subject, make rough draft of bill emb,d V ing my views
 SEC l. Might make it lawful to open gamb- ing houses Tn public places to be at a Il times open to the inspection of officers of justice and all others disposed to inquire into the con1nct of them Such houses to be Icensed a+ s,,, s9oo to SloOo per annum, upon paying which the Keeper thereof shall be at liberty to ex. hlblt any game of hazard under the profectio, of the law.
 SEC. 2. Might provide that the keener of sucn gambling house shall take out permits a one or two dollars each, which he shall dis. pose of at the rate fixed by law to such persons as snail enter his house to gamble; such per inItS to be numbered and issued in dunIcate and to authorize the holder to play at games or hazard for one week in the house from which issued. The permits to be indorsed bv the keeper ot the house and the persons hold. ing the same, and to be evidence at all times of permission to gamble.
 SEC. 3 Might provide that itnerant gamb lers might take out license in any county at the rate of S2O or $50 per month and permits in the same manner as prescribed for keepers of gambling houses.
 SEc 4, Might provide that all keepers of gambling houses and all ilinerant gamblers thus licensed and all persons holding permits from them should be entitled to gamble and to collect all moneys won at games of hazard ei- liner by such keepers of gambling houses or itlnerant gamblers. and all persons holding per- mlts of them; and that in all suits for the re- OoNoiy oI iIlouey so won It should be necessary as part of the evidence to produce the license and the permit and to prove that at the time of looslng such money, the person so loosins as well as the person winning was duIx authorized to gamble under the protection of the law.
 SEC. 5. Might declare that no license should issue to any person under 21 years of age, and that no gambler under penalty of $500 and six months imprisonment should permit any person under the age of 21 years to gam ble with him or in his house.
 SEC. 6. Might make it the duty of clsrks to issue licenses and permits and of sherffs, con-. stables and justices of the peace to visit gamb- ling houses and to see the law in relation to them enforced.
 SEo 2. Might repeal so much of the exist ing act as is inconsistent with this act, and to make it the duty of gau blers, and officers of the law to inform upon all persons who gam ble without proper authority, etc., etc.
 By this means vice that cannot be sup pressed by legislative enactment may contribute thousands to the treasury.
 | PRUDENTIAL.