Omaha daily bee., 1883-08-04
REFRESHING SIMPLICITY.
The Omciais Claim Not to Know That
There is Any Gambling Going On.

SAY, marsnal JACKSON, why uon you
close up the gambling houses ~
"Well, I'll tell you, young fellow. If
anybody wants to file a complaint or fur
nish me the proof, I'll see that they are
prosecuted; but as long as no one will
give me the proof, what can l do7 ]
don't know that there is any gambling
going on. Where are the witnessesl"
The questioner replied that he didn't
think it would be very hard work to get
witnesses, but Officers Clough and Null.
len appearing in sight the city marshal
"Clough, do you know of any gam
bling going on2"
"Why, Mullen and l are on days. How
should we know2'
"Why, yes, we are on days. Ask
some of the night force, chimed in Null
len.
1t was suggested that the gambling
houses did not confine their business
wholly to night hours, but neither officers
was willing to testify that they knew
anything of their own knowledge, and
could not be of any value as witnesses.
Chief Field came along, and the mar
shall tackled him; "Say, chief, do you
know of any gambling going on i'll the
cityl. -. =,
"Why, l thought that was your special
business. That belongs to you to look
after. How should We know anything
itl'
Jackson then c~ollared the city clerk,
who CHANGED to be standing looking on
and listening: "Say, Troutman, do you
know anything about there being any
gambling going on2 | want to find some
witnesses, These newspaper men are
bowling about the gambling. Have you
seen anybody gamblingl"
"Well, | don't go to gambling houses
myself, but I'll bet you ! can find q hun
dred witnesses, if you want them"
"Oh, that's what they all say, they can
get somebody, but l don't know of any
body who will testify themselves. ]
don't want hearsay evidence"
Two or three respectable citizens
passed by. The marshal stopped them
with the same query. They denied that
they frequented gambling houses, and
hence could only give hearsay evidence.
''There, you see," said Jackson turn.
ing to the original inquirer. 81 can
find witnesses, nobody to prove it by,
Give me the proof and I'll prescott,
them"
But why don't you drop in yourself
and see for YOURSELF
"Oh, well, i don't go to such places
/ don't frequent gambling houses. That
the reason"
The simplicity of the marshal an,
oficials-as shown by the above CONVEX
sation held yesterday, is refreshing. l
is a commonly known fact that gambling
houses are running here, and ye
no proof can be had of the fact. Be
5 cause private individuals do not care t.
take upon themselves the prosecution o
cases, the officials excuse themselves
: The council here directed the marshal t.
enforce the ordinance. The marsha
says they don't mean it, and that tn
. city attorney shall file the injunctions
r The city attorney says he will if the Off
4 GERS will get the proof and sign the com
q plant. Thus it is shifted from shoulde
4 to shoulder, making the whole thing
farce.
If the city council want to return t,
@ the old system of monthly fines, let then
r say 30 in plain English, and let the pub
lie 30 understand it. If the marsha
feels that he must obey the instruction
k only of the council, let him say openl
Q what those instructions are, and if h
don't know, let him not rest till he find
out.
n The public is sick of hearing the au
q thorities say one thing and mean another
If proof is wanted with which to pros
ecute, any officer can get it by marching
: into any gambling house now runnin
and taking There seems to be
guard kept at the door to warn the in
mates or shut out intruders.