Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-09-11
STOP GAMBLING!
The Police commissioners SO Put the Foot
Down EirnnlY.n

Down Firmly"
Mayor Brown called q special meeting OF
the Police Commissioners for II a. II. yes-
terday, and explained that it had been re-
ported to him that gambling games, Of the
kind prohibited by statute, had been going
on for night or two, and he asked the
Chief of Police to report upon the subject.
Chief DiIlman stated that he had posted
full information as to their duty for the
benefit of the officers. and he thought they
were doing their duty He did not know
of any games that had been running IN VIC
lation of the law. Some hokey-pokey
games had been played, but there was no
percentage taken out, and he had been m
formed by the City Attorney that under
such circumstances conviction could not
be effected, and he had therefore not inter-
fered with them.
City Attorney Hart stated that he had ad-
yised that no one could be convicted unless
ii could be conclusively proved that per-
centage was paid by the gamblers.
The Mavor expressed the belief that the
officers should arrest any parties playing
games that appeared to be Of the class in
terdicted. and leave it 10 the Courts to de-
eide whether the defendants had violated
the law or not.
Officer Mccormack explained that he had
not made any arrests of hokey-pokey play
ers. as he understood that they could not
be convicted unless it was shown that
percentage was levied, and he did rot wish
to make q farce oft.
Officer Agner expressed the belief that
the hokey-pokey games running we're per-
centage games, but that those conducting
them were careful to seem to be only tax
ing out money to pay for drinks when the
officers came around and looked on.
The Mayor thought that was probably
the true inwardness of the matter.
Judge Henry stated that, as Police Judge
and Police Commissioner, he proposed to
respect his oath of Office, and that he would
vote for the instant dismissal from the
force Of any officer who refused or neglected
to perform his duty III enforcing obedience
TO the law.
The City Attorney concurred in what was
said by both Commissioners, as he was an
officer of the Court, and wanted the laws
enforced.
Chief Dillman stated that he had been
around the city. in every direction and at
all hours, and had not learnedo OF any games
except those of hockey pokey which he had
referred 10. He bad placed the most ex-
perienced officers on the beats where gam
ing might be expected, and they had not
reported anything wrong in progress.
Officers Sullivan and Ferral said that
they had heard rumors of faro games in
operation, but had been unable to find any.
Mayor Brown stated that he had been
informed that three or more faro games
had been running during the previous
night, and that the gaming must be stopped.
He intimated that if there were not enough
men on the force more would be furnished,
and if the officers could not or would not
do their duty in the premises, others would
be found who would prove more efficient.
If an officer had good grounds for believ-
ing a game was i'll progress, he should gain
entrance, breaking the doors down if nee
eSsary, and arrest the players. The law
was enforced last year and il could and
must be this year. The Trustees would
sustain the officers in doing their duty, and
furnish as many men as were necessary to
see that the law was respected. His Honor
succeeded in making his hearers under
stand that he was very much in earnest.
Shortly after the adjournment of the
Board officers Mccormick and Agner raided
a hokey-pokev game at the Western Hotel,
and arrested ". F. Taylor. William Wells,
William Boone, W. Robinson, J. X. Ne
beker and C. G.. French, who were playing
at or conducting it. The percentage for
drinks panned out largely, amounting to
$53 80, which would indicate that the play
ers were very temperate, not much given TO
smoking, had got excited and forgot to
liquor up or wanted to take their drinks
and cigars by wholesale at the close Of the
game
Later in the afternoon officer Wager ar
rested L. P. Cuno and William Brown f T
running wheel of fortune" at the park.
The Chief of Police has posted a notice
in his office warning the officers that they
would be held responsible for any games
running on their respective beats, and any
officer neglecting to arrest the gamesters
would be expelled from the force. The
same penalty would also attach if an officer
failed to investigate when game was re-
ported, or was otherwise derelict in his
duty.
Last evening everything was very quiet
in gambling quarters, and if any games
were being conducted they were so much
81 under the rose" that the officers could
not find them