The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-08-28
Will Gambling Dens be Sup
pressed in Austin -?

The county attorney says the gam
blers must go, but at the same time
confeSses that in order to reach the
desired result he must have the active
CO. operation and moral support of all
good citizens. The attorney has an
swered the belligerent attitude and
threats of the gamblers by declara-
ton of war, and the important ques-
ton now is-shall he be backed by
those citizens of Austin who have the
best interests of the Capital City at
heart, who desire to see Austin be-
come as noted for good morals and
good order as it is now for pure air
and healthful climate, so that the re-
fined and cultured will seek homes in
our midst? Always attractive as an
educational point on, account of its
favorable location, since the establish
ment of the state university here,
it is fondly hoped that Austin will
in due time become the great
educational and literary center of
Texas and the entire southwest. Dur
ing the canvass for the location of the
state university 1t was frequently
urged by the opponents of Austin
that the vices of gambling and prosti-
tuition prevailed to an alarming ex-
tent, rendering it an unfit place for the
location. This was sometimes met by
a bold general denial, and sometimes
by the assertion that Austin was no
verse in this respect than the other
cities of the state, and that the citi-
zens and city authorities of the place
selected for the location of the uni
versity would be aroused by pride
and self-interest to the suppression Of
those vices. During the building of
one wing of the university and the
one year that it has been open to
students what has been done
for the suppression and removal
of those vices? Comparatively nothI
ing. Gambling houses and houses of
prostitution continue as heretofore to
ply their damnable vocations openly
and conspicuously on the principal
streets and in the heart of the city,
and the support CT the proprietors and
patrons of these dens OF infamy is
eagerly and openly solicited by candi-
dates for office. Does anyone suppose
that these facts are not well known
throughout the length and breadth of
the state? And ii they are, what
must be their effect on the welfare of
Austin, its schools and the State uni
versity? Does anyone doubt that the
existing state of things, if allowed to
continue, will be fatal to the growth
and prosperity of the university. and
to the highest interests of Austin !?
Does anyone doubt that remedy for
these terrible evils exists in faithful
and vigorous execution of the laws :?
Or, if any law should be found insuffic-
lent for the suppression of the vices
alluded to, does any one doubt that
united action on the part of the good
citizens of this community would pro-
cure the enactment OF laws that
would be sufficient? Then, let the
good people of this city bestir them
selves in this matter of vital import
ance, and see that men of virtue AMI
good morals are elected to Office, and
that every officer receives in the en-
forcement of the laws against the
evils referred to the necessary assist
ance and moral support. This done,
and ere long the said vices, if not sup
pressed, will be removed from our
principal streets into such obscuriry
that they will no longer flaunt them.
selves before the public gaze as they
now do to the detriment and disgrace
| of our city.