The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1878-03-22
GAMBLING IN THE ARMY.
THE ENACTMENT OF REGULATION AGAINST
1T PRoBABLE-eENERAL SHERMAN DON T
SEE THE NECESSITY OF 1T.
Special to New York Tribune.

opSSLai W NeW IOFK 1Tlbune,
The Senate Committee on Military Al
fairs will undoubtedly report favorably
substitute for the bill "To make an addi
tional article of war forbidding gambling O
the frequenting of gambling resorts by of
ficers and soldiers Of the army"
The articles for the government of the
navy already contains proviso making
gambling an offense punishable by court
martial. By the general regulations of the
British army also it is made the duty oi
the commanding officer of the corps sste
discountenance any disposition in his off.
GERS t' play at game for high stakes; all
gambling in garrison, camp orcantonments
is strictly forbidden; no tippling or gamb-
ling is to be allowed in any of the barrack-
rooms; in hospitals every specie of gambling
is strictly forbidden; in regimental recre
alton rooms all gambling is strictly prohib-
| ited.n
General Sherman does not seem to agree
with the judge-advocate general and the
Senate committee as to the necessity of the
enactment Of this additional article of war.
lie says, in recent letter, that he believes
that the passage of the bill under consider
alton would be i'll timed and unwise. In
his opinion the vice of gambling is less in
extent at this time than at any previous pc
Rod, whereas, the inference would be that
it IS growing and dangerous evil at this
moment. In all ages and at all times, he
continues, men have risked money on the
chance of horse race, the toss Of copper
or game of cards, and no law can prevent
1T. Good morals, he says, are the result of
thought and association, not of law. The
army is now subject to the law of the local
ity in this matter, and an officer is SUBJ
ject to court martial for gambling if he
be disbursing agent. This, Gen. Sher-
man thinks, ought to suffice, and does suf- |
flee. In the new army regulations con-
templated, General Sherman adds, any all
ditional rules can be provided for which are
deemed necessary.
The substitute, which will probably be
adopted, provides that any officer serving
''-N~ oA"oPos VA oAy SOIuloI uOb Ou d
ough, who CANDLES, bets, or plays for
money or other valuable stake or consider
'tion, shall be brought to trial by court
martial, and upon conviction punished as
ollows If an officer, for the first offense
With suspension from rank, command, and
'ay for period of not less than six months
or more than one year for second offense
With dismissal from the military service; if ,
soldier, at the discretion of the court. 1t
lso provides that any officer of the army,
'hether Or not serving with troops, who by
betting or playing for money or {
ther valuable stake IN consideration at {
anne of cards or 9th erwise shall win mon {
? from a junior or inferior officer, shall, b
pom conviction by court martial, be dis d
Kissed from the military service. A fur
Ter provision of the bill forbids any post D
ader to allow gambling in any building, q
ore or other establishment owned or oc- a
pied by him, under penalty of having his o
ar. The execution OF this law will be G
1t into the hands of the commanding Off
r Of posts, stations, detachmerts, etc. :.