, 1888-02-12

stringent q law as is provided Tor in the
bill under consideration?
In answer l will say that unless the
law is severe, and its provisions in regard
to the duty OF officers as well as the pen
alties for gambling carefully guarded, it
would be better to continue the license
system. As to the evils that have grown
up under the present license system, l
will cite a few instances hat have hap
pened in the city over the hill, commonly
known as the Gem of the Rockies"-a
city that %aspiresl to be the seat of educa-
ton of the territorY-the university city.
Now the town referred to is, | believe, no
better and no worse han any town of its
population in the territory, but | confine
my statement Of facts IN this matter to
said own because | prefer to speak only
OF things that can be substantiated, and
will submit to you after the statement |
make whether society is endangered and
whether Wyoming ought to have a law in
the statute books providing a punishment
for gambling. On one of the principal
business streets of Laramie there Is a
licensed gambling house, which if one
nears it at almost any time of the day and
until late in the evening, his attention
will be attracted by the sound of music,
often excellently rendered, an allurement
to the idle or to those who, having done
their days work, would stroll the streets
of an evening.
Many enter here, some through curl
osity merely, some to quench an ungov-
ernable thirst, others to try their luck at
t~heignming tables. The room is often
filed with a motley crowd. Mexicans,
negroes and white men breathing an at
mosphere loaded with poisonous vapors
that will quickly sickcn one or dull the
sensibilities. The drinking and gaming
go on until late into the night and some
times INTO the morning, when the indus
trious citizen is preparing for his days
work. The gaming tables have been sur
rounded for the greater part of the night
by this same motley crowd. Here is
found living, moving, thinking Ono not
thinking men of almost every color and
nationality, breathing the foul air of the
closed den, with here and there n youth
of minor years. Supplied perhaps by over
indulgence, but certainly clouding the
brightest and best traits OF his character,
limiting his usefulness by creating dis
trust on the part of those who could as
sist him to a responsible position in bust
ness or in public service, yielding to in
iuenccs hat endanger character and
make doubtful the hopes of friends or
fond parents.
One would think that ono such case
would justify a most stringent law, but
this is only one of many such cases.
Variety being the spice of this kind of
life, the scene change somewhat toward
midnight, the lowest women of the town
visit this licensed gambling house and use
such influence rs is common to this class
in inducing old or young, married or un.
married, to drink or accompany them t
their rooms. At other times several of
this class of women will stay until the late
hours of night or early morning dancing
"A times in a half nude condition-the
can can. In one such instance the mayor
of the town was called into such a place
by a policeman that he might know the
full extent of the license taken under the
present system, and what did he find?
Four or five prostitutes half naked dan
cling the walk around. and the city mar
shall an active participant in the dancing.
Scenes similar or worse are reported often
during the year that such houses are per
mitted to run. In cases like the last cited
it would seem well to have the officers I'M
der heavy penalties. One naturally asks
why the city authorities do not check if
not put a stop to such vile exhibitions. l
will answer The city trustees are usually
chosen from among the prudent business
men Of the town.
Prudent business men are slow to anita
gonize people who patronize them "a cow
ardly course for one who has assumed a
public duty but much fear has had a
great influence in giving to the immoral
elements of society in nearly all the towns
Of Wyoming a larger license than ever
ought to be given and 1t will continue
thus until the legislature declares by law
SO plain and mandatory that the meaning
and intent thereof cannot be questioned
the duty Of city trustees in the matter of
suppression of certain vices, and re-
move from such bonds of trustees legisla-
tive power in all matters pertaining to tie
suppression Of gambling and prostitution.
This done it will be easier to find prudent
men of ability to manage city affairs.
The enforcement of stringent laws per-
tanning to the Suppression of vice hinges
on the question as to whether the major
ity in the community distinguish properly
between morality and immortality. If the
majority do 80 distinguish and have the
courage or are not biased on false econo-
mic ideas the law can and will be as eff
fectively enforced as The law for the pun