The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-02-07
OUR HELENA LETTER.
Forbis and Potts Have q Fight Over
the Gambling Bill.
FOrbis Scores q Point in Favor Of the
Poor Sons Of Toll Who Can't
Buy fetticoats.

Buy fetticoats.
HELENA, Feb. 4, 1885.
The most Interesting event of the
9 session was the discussion over
Forbis' bill to suppress gambling, in
the House this afternoon. A large
audience, including many ladies, was
present. I send as full q report as
the space allowed me will permit:
At 2:15 the House went into com
mlttee of the whole, with Robinson,
Of !Gallatin, in the chair.
Fisk asked that the bill be read at.
length.
After the reading Of the bill, Wells
moved that when the committe rise,
it report the bill to the House, with
the Recommendation that it do pass.
Seligman-I desire to offer the fol:
lowing substitute:
AS the chairman seemed to find the
substitute difficult reading, Galloway
suggested that it should be read by
the gentleman Offering 1t.
Forbis-I think he is the only gen.
| tleman in the House who can read it.
Mr. Seligman then read his substi-
tute, which provided for a high
license, and that all rooms for games
must be on the second floor, and at
least ten feet above the site t. and
prohibited percentage games.
Fisk-I move that ,hesubstitute be
laid en- the table.
Forbis-I can see only one object
In the substitute, end that is to show
the gentleman's knowledge of these
games.
Seligman- 4 got all my intorma-
ton from the gentleman fro m Silver
Bow.
On the motion to lay the substitute
on the table, all voted In the afirma-
tive.
The original bill was then read by
sections.
Callaway-I move tie adoption of
9 ection l as read.
Potts-This bill appears to be a
new departure in Montana legisla-
ton, and I should like very much to
hear from the author of the bill some
reasons why this d parture should
take place at this time. So far as I
am concerned, there has been no
complaint made to me by my con-
stituents that they have lost any
money by any game, and my atten-
ton has not been called to it by any
of them, and I should like to hear
from the gentleman, why such a bill
should become q law. Heretofore
these games have not teen prohib-.
tied by law, but have been the sub
ject of revenue, and it is very neces-
sary, before we pass a law of this
kind, to know the necessity of it, and
to consider whether we can safely
| disrense with the revenue that arises
from them at this time.
Forbis-I:think I might inquire
very properly of the gentleman for
some reason why this bill should not
become y law. If there Is any ques-
ton az to whether this is a good or a
bad step for this legislature, 1 think
that there ought really to
be- some objection shown
why it should not be placed
on our statute books, not an inquiry
as to why we should put sue. an act
as this among the laws of Montana.
1t is 80 self-evident, not as a rellg-
|.ious measure, hut as a moral measure,
that 1 am surprised at the gentle
mans question,
The gentleman says be has not
heard any complaints from his con-
stituents. If the gentleman will 60
| to the desk of the clerk and look at
the numerous petitions that are lying
there, he will find that there is one
from his good wife, asking that the
measure be adopted. daughter and
applause,] don't know who the
gentleman's constituents are. Posi-
bly, she is not one of them. But it
seems to me, if there were no other
reason for the passage of this act, if I
had q wife-I have not, l am sorry
say-and she should petition me to
cast my vote for what I must KIN wv,
what every man who has been
raised in q civilized land must know,
is q measure of public necessity, I
would not ask for some 1eason why a
bill of this character should tie en-
acted.
Ia there any question as to whether
this IL right or wrong? Is there any
question as to whether this Is a NOR
al or immoral measure. I dare say
that the gentleman has not q friend
in the world he would like to see a
gambler, q friend whom he would
advise that there was room yet at
the top in this profession.
Tais measure is one that appeals to
the heart and sentiment and brain
of Montana Territory. l feel that
every member of this house, who
votes for this bill, votes to protect
the homes of wives and Of children
and Of families IN this Territory. He
o.es upon this as a MT azure that
comes not of prejudice, but IS a
measure, that is full ofgood sense and
judgment, and I believe that the
members of this floor who support
this measure, support the sovereign
ty of Montana in its best character,
But the gentleman asks, is 1t rea'
.or.h1o that wo shnn1d take AWaV