Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-12
LONG BRANCH MORALITY.
"A determined Effort to Suppress
Public Gambling.


Long BRANCH, n. D., Aug. e.-The
gorgeous gaming clubs are smut 30 the
general public for the first time In their
existence. Amusement is EXPRESSED In
1.-THE eyes that see the doors, heretofore IN
Willingly wide open, now barring free en-
france. The dominance OF the probes
mIOnal gamblers mas not before been as
auted, and the summer visitors ma II
shard to comprehend that an earnest euorI
BIAS been made to enforce The law Inc
commissioners, body whlch CON
:etitutes the Mayor and Common Council
'of the place found that its ordinance pro-
iyidng penalties for gaming was PROP
tAblv detective, and SO it made new
Aeuactment clearly cOhsignnS gamOlers
10 imprisonment up to a POSSIBLE perlod
kOf six months. HrJnertO 1t was an open
puestiOn whether the criminals couid
he punished except by fine not exceed
Ang 500 on each conviction. mat was
la happy situation for the proprle-
tors OF the Pennsylvania and Ocean
clubs. because it drove out small COM
Ipetitors. while they could well afford TO
nav sucn q fine every week, or daily II re-
'auired. tor the virtual protection Afforded.
But successive terms OF Imprisonment
are to be dreaded, and, beng formally
notified that the Commissioners meant TO
enforce the new ordinance the clubs are
CLOSED This is the first August Sunday
might in a quarter OF a century that the
sounds OF gambling have not gone out
,tnrough open windows, and during the
last halt of that period the clubs nave
been "A garish feature of summer life
the Branch.
GAMBLING SUB ROSA STILL CARRIED on.
o. course gambling is not abolished,
even temporarily; but it is forbidden ~
strangers, tor the wary dOnrtendeis Will
admit nobody whom they do not positive
I1v know is not detective 10 disguise.
THE players are few, and they belong
lwnUlly TO the habitual class. They are
the sort who prefer poker, which
yields to the club only certain
price for facilities, Or 10 faro, at
which careful players can keep the oppos-
ing chances down to something near to
equality. The multitude of nOvices, who
submitted themselves extensively TO the
dangers OF unfairly dealt cards, the tre-
mendous odds of roulette, and tee out
right swindle of red aud black, and whose
losses made up the immense pron OF tue
deus, are necessarily shut out. Even be-
fore this final closure. the tear of being
Caught in q police rad kept the crowds
away, and the business was ruined for the
ieeasOn.
DUE TO AMBITION AND POLITICS.
The disaster that has overtaken the
gamblers is "A result OF the 0'erleaping
ambition OF Phil. Daily, commonly known
as the King Of Clubs. aud the wealthy
proprietor OF the Pennsylvania Club.
by shrewd policy of liberAllty with the
resident villagers-spending money freely
In local Improvements, aiding IN cuari-
fies, employing citizens exclusively in
his building operations, and never let
ting one OF them lose a dollar in his
olub-he built up much popularity.
Year by year his influence grew, and at
length he felt that he was strong enough
10 become political boss. He would 40
longer depend on private bagalns for i'm
munity, but would WELD a power that
would not only defend his club against
Interference, but drive out competition.
In the last municipal campaign he bad "A
ticket for Commissioners. Thereupon
the opposition made the issue against
him, and he was beaten, Commissioners
being chosen who were committed to
his determination. Their leader, Heisley,
was made President or Mayor, and the
flight began with the opening of
1.-THE summer season. Mayor Heisley used
1.-THE police to make raids. and the game
Ssters were repeatedly fined. Now comes
nhe threat OF Imprisonment, and its ter
Tors are sufficient TO compel obedience.
Phil. Daily is set down 10 lose about $780,
900 IN expenses and the failure Of profits.
Meanwhile minority of the seashore
people are indignant at the interruption
of their favorite amusement, while the
of vice that was becoming injurious TO
Hhh "a tOn Of Lang Hranph