The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-02-25
THE GAMBLING BILL.

THE GAMBLING BILL.
MI. Forbis' bill for the suppression
Of gambling has now reached that
point in its passage through the Leg
islature where its fate can be accu-
rately determined. 1t will not pass
in its present shape. The history OF
the measure can lead to no other
conclusion. When the bill was In
the House Mr.. Baldwin, in an ex-
haustive speech, ~contended that GER
tain of its provisions were in direct
conflict with the constitution Of the
United States. The bill, however,
passed and went to the Council.
That body referred it to a special
committee of three, consisting OF
Messrs. Kennedy, Green and BUCK,
The two latter made a majority re-
port in committee of the whole, rec
ymmending that the bill do not pass.
Mr.. Kennedy made a minority report
in Which be proposed certain amend
ments to the measure, that without
weakening it. removed the objections
to it raised by Messrs. Baldwin and
Speer in the House. The Council
refused to agree to Mr.. Kennedy's
amendments.
This action Of the Council plainly
indicates that its objection to the bill
does not rest on any unconstitutional
provision which the measure may
contain-for Mr.. Kennedy's amend
ments removed that objection-but it
rests upon other grounds. What
those grounds are, the speeches OF
Messrs. DeWolfe and Back show.
These gentlemen hold that the Dill
will not suppress the evil, and that
the better way to deal with the vice
ia to remove it to back or upper
rooms in buildings, out of public
view, and to impose such a tax upon
it in the form of licenses as will force
it in 8 great measure out OF existence:
The bill was finally referred again to
a eommittee for amendment. The
nature of those amendments may be
from tho character OF the
speeches of Messrs. DeWolfe and
Buck. and from the well-known SEN
timents of a majority Of the Council
upon the question. The committee
will, without doubt, report its amend
in the form of a substitute,
providing for the removal of gaming
from public view and the imposition
of high licenses upon each gambling
house and each table used for gam
ing purposes. This win be the up
shot of the whole business.
While the MINER has taken q diff
terent view of the matter, it Is
neither 80 egctistical nor narrow
minded that it can e no virtue In
any other method to suppress gamb-
ling. Nor is it so hide-bound or
bigoted that it will not give room in
Its columns to the honest express
slons of individuals or newspapers
upon the subject. Hence We repro
duce the following excerpts from
some of the leading journals OF the
in order to show the se1ti-
ment which prevails elsewhere in re-
gard to gambling and MI. Forbls'
bill:
Bozeman Chronicle: A good deal
Of divergence of opinion has been
by the bill to suppress
The bill is no doubt
slightly premature, and it placed
our statute books woula re-
main a dead letter for several years
to come.
Await Courier: If the bill to pro-
hip,t gambling should pass both
Houses and become a law it would
De a "dead letter" on our Statute
In other words, prohibition
would not prohibit. The revenue
derived from gambling license would
oe cut off, but the vice would main
ain a mastery activity, inasmuch as
he moral sentiment of the people is
lot sufficiently general or powerful
enforce a prohibitory law on the
When the ali is too high
miss the bulls eye.
New Northwest: The Forbls gamb-
ing bill is in the hands Of a special
of the Council for amend
nent. II the committee shall report
substitute placing a high license on
kinds OF gambling, removing it |
rom the thoroughfares, and prohibit |
ng minors from playing in OF fire.
Iuent' ng gambling places it is our
the public welfare will be
subserved there by than bv the
TOrbis bill. If it is q little hurrah
,lory that Is wanted, H. B. q may
Ins wer the purpose, but if it is re-
friction and suppression Of the vice
hat is desired, keep it under the
and surveillance Of the law
nd officers of the law. Prohibition |
9 q theoretical chimera; restriction
, a practical possibility. The former
nay diminish the quantity, but will
Increase the evils of gambling; the
will diminish the evil in both
es, ects.
Glendive Independent: \ Con-
reform at all times is COM
and especially so when
he object sought to be accomplished |
one tending towards the improve
nent Of our morals. While we are op- |
'osed to gambling yet we think a
MEASURE sucn as the one proposed is
and will be ''saving at
he spiggot and spending at the
We acknowledge that the
Of the bill admits of little |
r no argument against it, hut we |
that it would become a dead
etter on our statute books and would
My have the effect of losing the in
ome derived without supervising
he crime. \ X A prophet |