The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1882-06-06
THE FIAT OF LAW
Is That the Gamblers Must
Go-An Interesting Inter-
view With Gov.
johnson,


Gov. c. p. johnson was In the city yes
terday, en- route to st. Joseph, where he
goes to attend a meeting of the state grand
lodge of the Druids. Gov. johnson was
the author of the famous law which makes
gambling felony. He was not only its
author, but it is due to his able efforts
almost solely that the bill for this pur-
pose was passed. IL should have gone into
effect over a year ago, but the gamblers
Of st. Louis have, until within few DAYS,
not only managed to make it imperative,
but they have continually
wAGEB BITTER AND UNRELENTING WAR
against Gov. johnson. knowing the in
terest the people take in the matter, a
BAzoO representative, last night, inter-
viewed him.
In answer to general questions PROFOUND
ed, the governor stated that there never
had been a more bitter and persisten,
fight made against law than that made
means possible had been used to defeat the
bill when pending before the legislature,
and since il went into effect every means
possible TO prevent its enforcement.
All efforts, however, had failed, and the
decision of the supreme court declaring
the law constitutional, had
COMPLETELY DEMoRALIzED
the heretofore defiant keepers Of gambling
houses and lottery shops In fact they are
at present making Overtures OF cOmpro-
mise to the circuit attorney, saying they
will not violate the law again If allowed to
60 just this time.
Ofcourse the circuit attorney cannot make
any compromise, and they will have to
face the consequences Of their wrong doing
some time during the present month. The
mandate of the supreme court TO Judge
Laughlin was to go ahead and try
those cases, and he has peremptorily
ordered their dOeketing for tie 10Th. Those
undoubtedly, be convicted.
THERE Is DEEP FEELING
against the more prominent ones in the
community. This is because of their i'm
pudence in defying public opinion. The
governor thinks the law will prove more
and more beneficial the longer il stands.
especially in large cities, where this ele-
ment of society has, heretofore, exercised
such perniciOus influence in public
affairs.
He says Mr.. Harris, the circuit attorney
is not likely TO survive his present attack,
and though this is greatly to be deplored.
vet there are others to take up the tight and
see the law fully vindicated.
Speaking of his previous fight against
the social evil law, which was in existence
when he was elected lieutenant governor,
he remarked, IL have never regretted the
action took in that matter. That law
was disgrace to our civilization. and i'm
my efforts to strike it down received the
support. encouragement and endorsement
of the best people of the city and state. 1t
was a very hard fight, but not such a one
as this gambling fight. But / had the
support and endorsement of the same class
again-and il there has been any success,
that is the reason thereof"
GOVERNOR JOHNSON
is only 10. He is a native OF Illinois.
having been born in st. Clair county. He
is emphaticallv a self made man. After
acquiring all the education the public
schools of Belleville could impart, he en-
tered his uncle's printing office, and had
so we'll mastered the mysteries of the print
er's art that, at the age OF Il, he embarked
in the publication OF weekly paper Of his
own at Sparta, Ill.
But he aspired to drink deeper at the
fountain of knowledge and selling his
office, applied the proceeds toward COM
plotting his education. He entered McKen-
dree college,
SETTING TYPE TO RAISE
more funds for college expenses when his
exchequer was exhausted, and in
due time, graduated and then soon placed
himself under competent lawyers in st.
Louis for instruction in legal lore
Thenceforward, he has been more or less
conspicuous, either in discharging high
and honorable trusts conferred on him by
his fellow citizens, or in managing great
law cases, or in championing some en-
nobling cause or warning on some cor
rupting evil. But always he has been a
victor, and it is now safe to say that
greater usefulness and honors and dis
tinctions are vet to be recorded OF him.