, 1875-01-24
LANDLORDS AND GAMBLERS.


have developed tho fact that, under the law Of
Illinois, it is not possible to convict the owner
Of the premises used and occupied for gnm-
blinghouses. It seems that the law, as con-
strued, requires, in order to convict the lessor
for renting the premises for gaming pur-
poses, there must be proof that when the
premises were rented or leased they we're SO
rented or leased for the purpose Of being
used for gaining. Gamblers pay liberal
rents, as do the keepers Of houses Of pzosti-
tuition. In fact, they pay much greater rent
than any tenant would pay, or could afford to
pay, for decent, honest, and legitimate busi-
ness. llany landlords, therefore, knowing
the Inv, ask no questions When they are
offered 400. per cent more rent for their
premises than they would be glad to accept
they very readily sign leeses to Mrs. sERA-
PIMA BAwD, or GEoRoE WAsHEoToN CB1ps,
and ask NO questions. When the house
in few weeks blossoms out IS q house Of
prostitution, or the rooms become notorious
as gambling den, the landlord is, Of course,
very much shocked, but he, nevertheless,
continues to collect his double rent, and goes
to church, and proclai1ns his personal sanc-
tity, without any visible compunctions Of con-
science or effort TO dislodge his illegal and
disreputable tenants.
Can the Legislature Of Illinois devise an
amendment to the criminal code that will
reach these persons who thus directly collect
a large share of the profits OF the nefarious
business carried On in their buildings? It
seems to us that, the necessary law could be
easily framed Il there were an earnest p,u-
poss to do so; and this law need not be a
very long one.
Such law might dec1are gambling houses,
or premises used as such, to be Illegal; that
any lease Of such premises thus used may be
set asids upon the application by the lessor
to any Court, upon showing the indictment
and conviction OF the tenant, or sub-tenant,
or other occupant, for gaming, or permitting
gaming or keeping gaming house OIL those
premises; and that such conviction shall be
such notice to the owner or lessor Of the un-
lawful use Of the premises as to furnish
1uimo facie evidence of knowledge and con-
sent on his part that such premises are used
for such Illegal purposes; and subjecting
such owner upon conviction to the same
penalties prescribed BY law for the
keepers Of such gaming house. 1t
seems to us that, il there were desire upon
the part of the makers TO reach this class Of
landlords who rent their buildings for these
dishonest and disreputable occupations, it
would not be impossible to do so by law
that could be enforced. The present law
fails utterly to reach them. 1t is in,mnterial
that they receive extraordinary rents, and
TINT tic premises are notorious gaming
houses the present law insists upon direct
proof that, when the lease was made, the
owner k7aew it was for gambling house
Subsequent knowledge ia not admissible, and
the landlord is At liberty TO 60 Oh collecting
the rent from the proceeds Of crimo with en-
tire immunity.
We think, if this matter we're laid properly
before the Governor and the Legislature, The
legal omission might be remetlied, and the
partnership now existing between landlords
aud gamblers to rob and fleece people might
be broken up and terminated.