, 1875-02-21
THE GAMBLERS AND TEE COURTS

that of the others is problematical
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THE GAMBLERS AND TEE COURTS.
Judge WILLIAMS has achieved partial sue
cess in his recent test Of strength between
the law and the gamblers, which only needs
to be followed up by himself and the other
Judges who succeed in turn to the charge Of
the Criminal Court in order to bring the
gambling fraternity in Chicago to grief. The
new rule in the Criminal Court which permits
each Judge to preside there three months, IN
stead of ono month as formerly, is likely to
assist in the good work. Judge Wu11Aa1s
has still another month in the Criminal
Court after the present one, and by that
time he will have waged the crusade SO
far that his successor, it is to be hoped, will
take it up where he shall leave it, and proceed
in the same direction. Constant "worri-
ment will weaken the organized strength Of
the b1acklegs and terrify the natural
allies they find in the policemen, the saloon-
keepers, the owners Of the buildings rented
to them, the unscrupu1ous Justices and Con-
stables, the political bummers who count
upon their assistance to practice frauds at
elections, and the vicious and dangerous
classes generally who flock to their support
with false oaths, al5l, certificates OF char
acter, ETC. We believe that Judge WILLIAMS
has demonstrated that the Courts, with the
vigi1ant cooperation of the Stato's Attorney
and the Grand Jury, can supply the willfu1
deficiencies Of the Police Commissioners and
police officers, and bring low the inso1ent bra
vado and shameless publicity that gambling
has assumed in this city under the rule of
the so-cal]ed Peoples party.
We fancy that judge WILLIAMS will not be
badgered at any future trial by certificates OF
discharge from Justices, obtained with direct
view to 6efeating the application Of the State
law in q higher Court. The Justices must al
be familiar with the fact by this time that this
is disreputable and dangerous business
for them to 60 into, and that they will do it,
not only at the peril Of popular indignation,
but at the more direct danger of judicial
investigation. We think, too, that it will be
generally understood to be dangerous pro-
ceeding to testify to one thing before Grand
Jury and to the opposite before the Court
when tho Indictment is tried The hackman
who has been held for perjury should be
prosecuted vigilantly; his conviction on this
charge will do mora to drive of tka alliance
Of the class to which he belongs, 9ad which
the gamblers find so useful for swearing pur-
poses, than any other incident Of the trial.
b11ER MCDONALD, too, seems to hrwe been
caught in the tolls with which Judge WILL
1AMs has surrounded his case. This No
DONALD is notorious1y the chief of the
disreputable and vicious classos in this city,
and has openly de6ed the authorities, who.
es be believes, are unnble to penetrate the
barriers be has SO l:'>rrio11sly built up about
him. He is well-!.Aewn gambler; has been
guilty Of various assaults with deadly weap-
ons once lay in jail several months On the
charge Of inducing young man to rob his
employers; has been indicted over and over
again aud is the head and front Of the ring
Of gamblers, roughs, and thieves who infcst
the city. Judge WILLIAMS caught him in
trap, however, and there is pretty &:
case Of perjury against him, and the Ju,.-
promptly bound him over to answer this
charge. If MKE MCDONALD can be sent to |
the Penitentary for perjury, it is perhaps |
better and quicker way Of disposing Of him
than by the tedious prosecution for gam-
bling.
Judge WILLIAMS, in this whole matter, has
set worthy example, which every one Of tha
Judges ambitions for popular respect. and !
gratitude should be eager to follow. In deal |
ing with the blacklegs, the Judges and public |
officials have to do with class of persons
who are entitled to no sympathy from them
Or the public. In their cases the law may DO
stretched for the public good without invc1v-
ing any evil consequences. Whether they |
are convicted for gambling, punished for per-
Jury, worn out with incessant prosecution, OF
lriyen out Of the city by public indignation, I
it is an the same. We are in favor of any
process which will rid the city Of 'the social
pest mode up from gamblers and their mt
arM azsociates, adhorents, and dependents