The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-02-11
mi GAMBLING BILL.

THE GAMBLING BILL.
Az the bill introduced by Mr..
Forbis for the suppression Of gamb.
ling is occupying a large share Of
public attention, and as many OF the
readers of the MINER are unac-
quaintsd with the provisions Of the
measure we present its full text be-
low. Probably no measure has ever
been before q Montana legislature
which provoked more discussion
and called out . greater display of ig-
norance of the working of prohibitory
laws and opened q wider field for an
exhibition of demogogism, pure and
simple than the one here given.
While all admit that gambling, like
drunkenness, is a vice which In
the interests of humanity. should be
restricted to the smallest possible
limit, men honestly differ as to the
best means to accomplish that end.
Hence 1t does not follow that those
who oppose Nj. Forbis' bill are in
favor Of gambling, mol is it true that
all those who support it do not gam
BILE. The. fact is the six men who
opposed the measure in the House do
not gamble and some Of them have
no greater personal knowledge of a
"faro lay. out" than the supporters
of the bill have of the streets of the
New Jerusalem.
It is not our intention, however, to
discuss the merits of the bill in this
article. We shall do that presently.
We simply desire now to afford our
readers an opportunity to become &C
cuatnted with its provisions and to
Judge for themselves whether a bin
80 radical and sweeping in its aims
can be enforced or accomplish the
object sought.
SECTION l. Any person who shall
set up, keep, manage or use, any
tatle, wheel or other construction,
or any cards, dice, balls, or other
device, scheme. continuance, or thing
of any name or des :ripti0n, adapted
suitable, devised or designed, or
which can or shall be used for gam
bling purposes, and induce, entiee,
or permit any person to gamble, bet
or play for gain, with, at, upon, or by
means of such table, wheel, or other
construction, or such cards, dice,
balls, or. other device, scheme, con-
trivance or thing, or to bet or wager
anything at or upon any game what
ever played by such keeper, manager
or any other persons, by means or use
thereof, or who shall open or keep, or
manage any common ga milling house
ehall be punished by imprisonment
in the county Jail for a term not less
than ten days nor more than three
months, and by fine not less than
fifty dollars NOR more than one hun
dred dollars.
Sec. 2. Any person who shall bet
or wager any money, property or
anything of value, or anything rep
resenting money, property or value,
at or upon any game played by him
self or by another, with, at, upon, or
by means or the use of any table,
wheel, or other construction, or any
cards, dice, balls or other device,
sche me, continuance or thing adap.-
ed, suitable, devised, designed, or
which shall or can be used for gaM-
bling purposes. shall be punished by
Imprisonment In the county jail not
more than thirty days. or by fine not
one hundred dollars, OF by
both such fine and imprisonment.
SEC, 8. No person shall be inca
excused or privileged fr5p
fully or answering fully
under oath, as q witness in any Grim.
inal proceeding or prosecution insti-
tuted or brought under the provis-
ions of this act, for the reason that
any evidence OF statement he might
give or make would or might tend
to criminate or disgrace him; but no
witness shall be required to testify
against himself, n0r shall any
or evidence which he may
make or give as required in this Sec
ton be used against him for any
purpose In any case, either civil or
in which he is a party.
SEC. 4. Ifany person shall make
oath before any justice of the peace
or ptobate judge that he suspects or
has probable cause to believe or sus-
pect, that any house or other building
is wilfully used as and for a gaming
for the purpose of gambling
for money or other property, or any
thing representing money or prop
erty, or value, and that persons re-
sort to the same for that purpose,
such justice OF probate Judge,
whether the names of the persons
last mentioned ere known to the COM
plainant or not, shall issue q war
rant commanding the sheriff or his
or any constable. to enter
into such house or building, and to
arrest al persons who shall there be
found playing for money or other
wise, and also the keeper Of the same,
and take into their custody all i'm
so that they may be forth
coming before such justice Of the
peace or probate Judge, to b. used on
the trial of any prosecution against
the parties arrested; and any officer
who may be charged with the execu-
ton of such warrant shall have
power 1t necessary to break open
doors for the purpose of executing
the same, and may summon to bis
aid the power Of the county; and 1t
shall be the duty of the justice Of the
peace or probate judge before whom
SUCH gambling instruments, imple-
lnents, constr uctions or devices shall
ce brought to safely preserve the
same so long as they may be neces-
sary to be preserved as evidence, and
here to cause the same to be de-
publicly by burning or other
wise.
The British lion is aroused, and
his OminOus 0rOWl ia heard In tho