West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1885-09-16
The InteiIigencer's Defense OF
the Gamblers

Their steps in the downward course
may always be expected.
The Intelhgencer, which, a few
weeks ago, was growing at Prohi-
bitionists for demanding new laws
instead of enforcing those which
now exist, has just shown its utter
lack OF sincerity by taking up the
gauntlet in favor of the gamblers
at the State Fair.
We clip the following from its
issue of last Thursday:
esterday Chief of Police Smith
and six or eight Of his police, ap-
peared on the fair grounds, and
sauntering leisurely through the
booths, refreshment stands and fa-
kris tents in the orchard, ordered
all the baby doll, ring and knife,
and other catchpenny schemes to
stop. A man named Ford, who
had a side-show in tent, was ar
rested for showing without a IL
,cense. The men who have baby
dolls on frame, and charge for the
privilege of throwing at them, Civ
ing prizes for each one knocked
down the men who charge for the
privilege Of throwing rings at
board stuck full of knives, or canes,
as the case may be, and give the
thrower any one on which the ring
.alights, and all the other fakirs,
had all paid license to the city.
evertheless the Chief and his men
ordered them to stop, under penalty
of arrest"
"This action caused much I'M
favorable comment. 1t was said by
lawyers that Capt. Smith had the
law on his side, but nearly all of
those who learned of his arbitrary
act denounced it as a wanton i'm
position on the men and the asso-
citation, who are compelled to re-
turn the money paid for privileges"
Will the Iratelligencer please tell
us what an official oath is for, if
the attempt to live up to it is to be
considered as "arbitrary" and a
"wanten imposition ?"
The city of Wheeling must be
growing very independent, if she
expects her "license" to protect
man in violating the laws of West
Virginia.
We are very glad that the Asso-
citation was compelled to forego its
expected revenue from the sale of
gambling privileges to violate the
laws of the commonwealth. The
State Fair is supposed to represent
the people of West Virginia, and
the people of West Virginia are
radically opposed to raising money
by fragrant violations of law.
The Intelligencer continues:
"The Chiefs motive was past
finding out. If be was actuated
merely by a desire to enforce the
laws impartially, it was thought
strange that he did not begin on
some of the gambling dens in the
city before tackling the small fry
on the fair grounds"
A nice way, indeed, to advertise
a city to the world! abiding
business men of other places will
think good while before investing
their funds and locating their fam
lilies in place where the motive"
of an officer in presuming to en-
force the law is "past finding out y
Some of Wheeling's city officers,
it appears, have just as little re-
spect for law and order as the In
steIIigencer. Witness further the
following from It's columns;
Mayor Grub said last evening
that he asked the City Solicitors
opinion of the games of chance on
the ground, and was told that the
law, strictly construed, forbade
them; but as they were not of a
demoralizing character, and did no
harm, he saw no reason to stop