Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-09-30

Mayor Rhoads and his police have done
their part zealously, tirelessly and I'M
ilinehingIy to break mp policy gambling
in Wilmington. 1t was not an easy nor a
particularly thankful task. They were,it
is true, supported by the press in their
endeavors to stamp out this insidious
business which preys upon the pocket
books OF those who can least afford the |
drain, but they did not have that whole |
souled backing of all the reputable people
in this community that they were entitled
to, and that they should have had. On
the other hand the mayor was seriously
talked to early in the work by petty poll
ticians who admonishsd him 10 be careful
what he did, and to take into
account the votes that the policy
men and their hackers boast they can III
fiuence. What was his repiy2 Substan-
TALLY that, while he doubted very much
whether the policy business had any
stronger pull ON the Democratic than il
had ON the Republican party, yet Il the
Democrats OF Wilmington could only
maintain their sscendancy by pander-
ing to such depraved Influences they had
better go down; that, SO far as he was
concerned, he had been placed there to
see the laws faithfully carried out and he
was going to try to have that done to the
best OF his ability.
And the mayor went on in the course
he had mapped out until policy shois
practically ceased to exist in Wilmington;
certainly until they ceased to flourish.
But the court has now, we doubt not very
reluctantly, knocked the ground from
under him by deciding that the statute
against gaming does not apply TO the
policy business, and there now seems e
be nothing TO prevent the triumphan
policy men from reopening their shop
! and doing business just as openly AMI
] publicly as grocers, butchers or dry good
. dealers.
; The statute against gaming dates bac
|
Q application to policy writing has eve
2 before came up for Judicial Interpretation
s II is asserted that some ten years ago
: then prominent policy dealer was in
dicted, pleaded guilty aud was flnod $lO
" in our State courts, btsA in his case
" seems evident 1--WE have not been able
d find any report thereof thus far that r
II question of the application of the Ia
h was raised. The deliverance of the cou
v in the Allen case is to the effect tin
IF policy playing consists of betting {
,e the results of lottery drawing, al
,s there are no statutes of this State III
will prevent it,"
lg The chief justice added to this decisit
er the very good Recommendation that 4
fe Legislature amend the law SO as to GOV
Of policy playing and all other forms
ID gambling and likewise attend TO MAXI
us the prize-fighting statute more effeciiN
ad Lot the honest and order-loving men
1h the community interest themselves
lat securing this legislation. It can be cas-
Q? done, in spite of all the boosted politi,
ON influence which those opposed there
to Gnu bring to bear, if the decent and St
uld respecting voters will make their wist
.er- and their influence felt. There is
uty reason that we know of to suspect in o
hat vance any prospective legislators of d
md inclination to do all that may proper
lily be asked Of them in this direction, but
md can do no harm to let them all understa
his that they will lie expected to stand by 1
ice decent people whose votes can make
by, unnake them politically,