Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-04-05
SOCIAL GAMBLING.

Since the remarks the RECORD-UNIoN
saw fit to make upon the genesis of gam
bling, and the reasons why it is not sup
pressed. we have had numerous advices
upon the subject, with many amendatory
suggestions, and some of these, strange as
it may appear, have come from professed
gamesters themselves, who are not to be
assumed always to be opposed to reform
movements because they make gaming a
business. There is nothing, however, in
any of the suggestions and amendments
prUffered that would essentially modify the
views expressed in these columns. 1t re-
mains that the fostering of gambling is not
by professional gamblers, nor are the con-
fessed gaming houses the chief seats of
gambling. We have information showing
that lottery gambling is much more extern
sively practiced in this State than even we
had believed to be true. There is one form
of gaming also that has not been men,
toned, and which we are assured is quite
prevalent, though we are inclined to think
not so general as is reported. 1t can only
be denominated as social gambling. 1t has
its seat in the home, and its devoteeS are
those who are of or are received into the
home circle. The allegations run that the
gaming table is in not few households
that ladies gather about it with cards, and
at the poker game win and lose not incon-
siderable sums. In these cases gambling is
given something of the character of respec-
liability, and as there is no percentage to a
house-keeper the games are all the more
fascinating and all the more dangerous.
The commands of gentility and the laws of
hospitality serve to make social gambling
all the more ruinouS, since the invitation
to the demoralizing practice is the more
irresistible.
1t is fact that gambling is practiced in
the home, but to what extent it prevails is
matter of dispute. But whatever its
prevalence, it needs no illustration to pre-
sent the dangerous character of the prac-
tice. If in our homes this moral miasma
prevails at all, its baleful influence upon
the young and susceptible is undeniable.
1t is another testimony to the fact that the
sentiment against gambling is not suffi-
GENTLY strong to fortify the law that CON
dennis the faro bank and the roulette game
We repeat, that we cannot expect the law to
be respected, 50 long as we SOW the seed of
lawlessness. If gambling is to be sup
pressed We must begin at the root, and
make the practice in any and every form
abhorrent We must close not only the
public gambling places, but the private
ones. The people must begin at the be-
ginning of the reform, nor comics, inability
unless they are ready to admit the social
gambling, the scores of poker games in
every city, the advertising and sale of lot
terry tickets, the disposal Of property
by rafting and the gift enterprises are
not vicious 1t is by no means trivial
to suggest that the prize-box schemes of
the toy and confection dealers, the vague
chance of drawing a valuable prize allur-
ingly held out to children by dealers in
goods, and all similar initiative steps to
the faro room, are matters demanding
reformation There is no better school of
gambling than the poker game in the
household, and nothing more certain to
send the youth to the club-room, where
social restraint being removed, the DISPOSE
ton to bet is unfettered There is no bet
ter tutorship for lottery gambling than the
prize schemes of confectioners, who offer a
watch or pistol, or other article of value to
the fortunate" lad or miss who buys " a
lucky box" the chances to win being
about one in five hundred. And the same
is to be said of the schemes Of the grocers
who sell packages of needful provisions,
with the "chance" of winning clock or
other desirable article. 1t is all gambling,
fosters the gaming spirit, and is the oil
that replehishes the flame the law fails to
quench, simply because it is not directed
at the source of the fire.