Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-01-30
PUBLIC GAZING.

The State of Nevada licenses gambling
and no inconsiderable part of her revenue
is derived from that very questionable
source. The Legislature now in session
at Carson City has the subject of gam
bling under consideration, and it is to be
hoped that step forward viii be taken
by the Silver State, and the laws at pres
ent in force be repealed, and make room
for others more consistent with q sound
public feeling. This leads us naturally
to the consideration of gam bling in gen.
eral, and it occurs to us that we are not,
ourselves, entirely out of the depths, and
that little useful legislation upon the
subject of public gaming might not be
amiss for California. We are not foolish
enough to think that men whose DISPOSE
! ton is TO gamble, can be turned from
that pursuit by the power Of law-such a
much to be desired change can only be
brought about by moral influences. I'm
fortunately the state Of public opinion
upon this subject is not all that could be
NlCo4Iths anu any sbhiu WnICtI may NC Va
ken will be, in a great measure, in ad-
vance Of that opinion. And, while sump-
tuary laws, Of every character have thus
far been in a great measure failures, it
does not follow that one designed to re-
move temptation out Of sight, should
share the fate of those which have pre-
, ceded it.
There can be no question of the wrong
= and evil Of gambling, and yet it is vice
e to which many citizens, faultlcss in other
z respects, are more or less addicted But
, if open milling was prohibited, many,
who now indulge for short season in
' play after business hours are over, would
: go to their homes without having been
| tempted to the commission of an act
: which their conscience must condemn.
3 Furthermore, the sight of these men,
e whose honesty and integrity stands un-
I questioned. sitting at a gaming table
= pockcting their winnings, the same as il
70 it were money honorably earned, is not
f one calculated to produce the right effects
1 upon the minds Of the young men and
l boys who have grown up in our midst
l So long as gaming is confined to profcs-
sional "sharps," the effect may not be so
, bad but the mind Of youth is susceptible
Of impression for good or evil, and just
regard for the well-being of those who
are to I'll our places should lead US to be
! ,o Il h1, 70 ~
, to a calling which we would be 10th to
, have it said was the one through which
we made livelihood. So far as the mo-
J rality Of gaming is concerned all game:
f are alike-whether it be social games
A among neighbors, playing with profes.
y sional gamblers, or those more gcntee
4 styles of gambling known rs trials o
+ speed between horses or stock specula
! tons. The principle is the same in al
+ instances.
t In older States than ours, gaming
} both public and private, is prohibited by
! law, but such law would be absolutely
a impossible Of enforcement here. WI
= think, however, that the practice of oper
gambling should be suppressed, and the
= votarics Of the card table made to pursue
1 their amusement" Qor such it is Will
/ many, hidden from the public gaze
r Such law, if enforced, would remove
5 temptation from the sight of many whC
- now spend an hour or SO thus engaged
a and by throwing the vail Of secrecy ovel
= gaming, leave only its baneful effects tC
5 the view, and present it to the unwary in
| anything but a pleasing light.