New-York tribune., 1871-12-16
no KELSO AND GARVIN GREETING.

TO KELsO and GARVIN, GREETING.
One of the disadvantages of an energetic and
independent Press is that the officers Of the
law rely too much upon it to be informed OF
their duty. They seem to think that, as long
as tho Press is silent, they are not responsible
for my derelictions. Our police authorities did
not think it worth while to attack those infa-
nous nurseries of robbery and murder, the
keno and panel houses, until The TRIBUNE
had exposed to the disgustcd gaze OF the city
all their revolving features. No movement was
made by the merchants to rid themselves OF
the thicving harbor pirates, until THE TRIBUNE
had put their wrongs into print Tho Bar
seemed as patient as sheep under the inflictOn
of the Crates, until they saw in these COL
umns how vulgar and despicable this judicial
knavcry really is, and how easy it will be to
overthrow it by public and combined action.
Nothing can excuse our police authorities for
irnorance or neglect of their duties. But it
is not in our power to change them, and the
one redecmng quality they have shown is
teachableness. When we led them to the
doors of the keno and panel-houscs they did
grab their clubs and 60 in. and for tho scr
NlCC Uuub OuCy NOoNiNo WIZ PA"pNA
credit. We have waited long enough for
them to attack another gross and glaring
nf:.my. We have taken the matter in hand
We have employed the reporters OF THE
TRIBUNE to do the work the police are paid
to do. We present this morning tho result
We tell the police, and tho City, and the
apathetic decent people who are too indOlent
to vindicate their own interests how this i'm
nense town is honey -combed with the open
mouths of gambling -hels.
This is not matter to read, to pass over.
and forget. Let every man of business carry
these figures in his mind, think of them five
minutes as he goes to his Office this morning,
and see what widespread consequences flow
from the facts they represent There are 200
gambling in active operation in this
city, in which at least 1850 persons Of bad
character and criminal lives are directly in
tercsted. Robbers presuppOse victims. Wolves
do not as a general rule eat each other. 1t is
not easy to compute how many green country
men. desperate small spectators, vicious shop
boys, aud idle youths of good incomes. are
necessary to tho support of this ravenous
horde of beasts of prey. At least half the
money that goes into gamblers strong box
is dishonesty gained, and every dollar of the
other half takes with it inevitably somo por-
ton of tho moral integrity of tho man who
loses it.
1t may be thought the decline in prosperity
which IS indicated in most of the dens we
mention is an encouraging symptom. But it
cannot be so regarded at this moment 1t IL
true that tie disasters of Tammany have had
their effect upon the crowd of its dissolute and
criminal retainers. The Amercus Club badges
in the jcwelry shops are not q surer proof of
this than the diminished profits of the gam
blcrs. But while these dens remain, they con-
tinue malignant ulcers, dangerous to the public
health. Highway robbery and burglary are
the next resort for men who find the easier
fruits of swindling falling short. The
houses must be promptly and thoroughly
broken up before we can expect the gamblers
to be driven out of the city or into
other pursuits. 1t may not be possible to erad-
icate entirely 80 deeply-rooted vice. But it
should and can be made furtive and infamous
The dens where it is practiced can be made
They can be rendered hard to find and dis
reputa ble to enter. The "cappers" and run
ners can be driven from public places. The
leering ruffans with red eyelids and dyed
moustaches can be ordered of the sidewalks,
which they deform and Obstruct, Like any other
unwholesome rubbish. And this we call on
Kelso to do!
Our former appeal to him was not entirely
fruitless. lie acted with some energy and
promptness. 1t was not his fnult that many
of the scoundrels lie arrested are not now
hammering stone in . jail-yard. 1t Is to our
corrupt and depraved judicial system that the
blame of their escape 10 to be ascribed. The
District Attorneys are always recreant to their
duty in such matters. The absolute and prof
table power which they exercise over our
thieves and rogues would be greatly weak
ened, If not entirely lost, Il they should do
what the Law commands them. These rogues
are their captains of tens. The habitues
of these resorts are their repeaters. These
dens are tile headquarters of their Ring buIlies
and ballot suffers. There is but one way to
cure this criminal subservience to crime.
Nuke the District-Attorney more afraid of the
law than he is of the law-breaker, and the
work is done. The time is favorable for
trial Of strength between these forces. Let
Chief Kelso do bis duty, and then. let US SEQ
If the Distriot-Attorney dares finch from
hisl ''r - - ....,
We have received. from tvo souroo. .,v.,..