, 1888-02-21
UNRIPE

UNRIPE LEGISLATION.
Gambling came up for considera-
ton in one of the city churches
last Sunday evening, but after atten-
lively considering the discourse We do
not find the position we have hitherto
taken either untenable or changed. The
question which we would like to hear
grappled with is not whether it is iniuri-
GUS to morals or detrimental to the bust
ness prosperity of the unprofessional peo-
pie who engage in it (for on this point
there is no room for argument), but
whether the ultimate evils of attempted
suppression before the times are ripe would
not increase ten fold the existing evils.
The trouble with many attempted reforms
is that they are based on sentiment and
not on practical experience. For in
stance, Nebraska, when the proper time
came, passed the Slocumb law to regulate
the liquor traffic. The license was fixed
at 81 900. Each saloon keeper was forced
to give a bond in the sun of $1,000. Sc
we're penalties were attached TO the sale of
liquor to minors or habitual drunkards
and licenses were revoked whenever the
law was transcribed. The moral atmos-
phere of the state has been wonderfully
improved by the passage of the Slocumb
law.
Kansas, on the other hand, attempted
prohibition. Ore of the immediate re-
suits was the frightful increase Of drunk.
enness. The loss of revenue almost de-
pleted the school fund and, on the prlnci-
pie that forbidden fruit ever since the
days OF Adam has always tasted sweetest,
a man who ordinarily didn't care to
drink would then butt down a brick wall
to get a mouthful of the vilest whisky.
The preacher was right in saying that
there is something in the atmosphere west
of the Missouri river which works radical
changes in a mans mental makeup. The
situation and surroundings are fundament-
ally different from those obtaining in the
far East, and it is precisely for this reason
that the square plug of Eastern customs
should not be too forcibly injected into
the round hole of Western needs. This
section is still in the formative stage of its
development both as regards its physical
and social features. The thoughtful tour
list fresh from the East, after a cursory
glance, would be tempted to work a social
revolution here If he were given his way.
After a residence of a few weeks he
changes his tune. Many things which at
first impressed him peculiarly he is sur
prscd to discover exactly meets the pecu-
liar needs.
Mr.. Field should not be surprised if
the professional gam blcrs vigorously op-
pose the passage of the anti gambling
bill Any man or set of men will natu-
rally do all they can to prevent their bust
ness from being destroyed. As to open
gambling it has its good and evil effects.
While on the one hand it may lure a few
to try their luck. it bars out many others
who for social or business reasons cannot
afford to be seen playing at a public gam
ing table. Enact a law against gambling
and the men now engaged in it will go
out of business because they will not take
any chances of going to jail. But they
will be succeeded by the very lowest ele-
ment of the profession, who while they will
take chances of going to Jail will literally
fleece every man who plays with them.
Will the men who now spend
their money in gambling instead
of giving it to their families
then do any better? Will the young men
who are now restrained from gambling by
its very publicity be enticcd into wicked
ways by the secrcsy surrounding the bust
ness2
The Holiday bill, while wiping out the
revenue now received, will be a source Of
endless costly litigation and this county is
certainly not in a condition to stand much
amusement of that sort.
1t should not be forgotten that laws en-
acted by the Wyoming legislature are sup
posed to be enacted to meet the peculiar
want OF Wyoming Territory and not to
meet a supposititious condition which isinot
borne out by the facts. In our humble
opinion the times are not ripe for the
passage of such a law as hat proposed by
MIR. Holiday and We have therefore
frankly condemned it.
At the same time we wish to be under
stood as favoring any practical law which
will strictly regulate the gambling bust
ness.