New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-07
GAMBLING IN NETWORK.

HOW POLICE CAPTAINS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO
BREAK UP THE vICE-ITs FATE IN THE HANDS OF
SUPERINTENDENT wALLING.
The order reGstablishing Rule No. 80 of the
Police Code been promulgated TO the force. Tue
cause OF prevalence Of gambling Saloons and OF the
almost open publicity with which they have been car
RED on was a general ORDER amenling Rule No. 3S,
which provided that the Superintendent Of Police should
only suppress these saloons wnen directly In
structed to that effect by the Board Of
Police THIS order, hidden away IN long
list OF General Orders, and couched In language
likely conceal 10 express its actual Intention
wa discovered almost accidentally by Commissioner
voorhis He had noticed the prevalence OF open ga
looms In Broadway and elsewhere aud had been spoken
10 frequently the subject Rule No 80. as It appears
In the Police Code, gives the power to the Supernend
en TO abate gambling saloons, and the captains through
charged with the execution OF the law in that
respect. When Commissioner Voorhis questioned the
captains the subject they uniformly declared that
they had power in the premises, and thereupon
produced General Order No 100 In some Instances
the captains were obstnatey reticent, aud only
the intimation by the Commissioner that he had
heard captains themselves received percentage
from these establishments brought from them the
order and Indignant protest that they would
have all establishments Of that sort In their
precincts but restrictions the order Some OF
Captains said that certain Commissioners the
old Board had ntmated to them that certain establish
of that kind n their precincts would have to be
let alone and other Commissioners had requested that
II raids were TO be made at ALL that they be made at
hour In the day when very few would be present and
consequently no playing. The establishment OF Big
Nike" Murray, in Eighth ST. was broken up at p m.
one Afternoon aud only few walters and the proprietor
were The Justice at the Tombs Police Court
able on the slight evidence collected 10 impose only
slnan hne. President Matsel vino their Superln-
tendent said III the slight discussion which followed
Vo0rhiss resolution at the meeting Of the
Board Monday, that he had arranged ~ break up
Big Mixes" establishment and all the leading
gambling houses Of the city, when General Order No
100 served Oh him.
Tie old Metropolitan Police Law of 1857, amended
OF chapter 403 Laws OF 1894 passed April IS
OF that year. prOvi0 that the police force shall sup
press any gaming savoD lottery or place OF low amuse
ment the compaint OF two house holders ctl-
zeus, information made by any policeman Ia writ
ing 10 the superintendent This, with Rule No. IS re-
enacted originally stood making 10 the duty OF the
Superintendent bate all such establishments relieves
that officer OF any haDpering conditions, makes him
mainly responsible and gives him full power IL Is only
necessary that the complaint should be made and the
superintendent has all the means necessary 70 secure
the abatement superintendent WaiinR is well known.
also 10 have the inclination aud energy necessary The
mere power OF his has been sufficient even IN the
time he been In Office TO suppress the bancO
and "ken0" games which recently aD0unded III the
aud he stated yesterday that there was not single
these kinds IN operation within the metropolitan
District. He had made arrests whatever, and had
used violent 10 secure their suppress
siOD bur be had let 1t become known authOrtatyely
that he would not allow any such games 10 remain III
existence.
Another obstacle TO thorough reform not only in the
matter OF gambling houses but OF ot6er matters 10 tue
custom still prevailing or individual Commissioners
overriding personal Instructions 10 captains their
orders FROM the Commissioner VoOrhis
recently tried 10 correct this evil Also aud onereu res
button " the effect that captains should receive their