, 1889-12-12
----~------7a7--77---
FRUITS OF GAMBLING.

In the epidemic of tragic death
now blottlng the fair escutcheon of
Spokane Falls we are rcaping the
evil fruits of unrestricted gambling.
Communities are just as ameif,ble
to the laws of morality ms are indi-
viduals. 1t IL no more fallaciOus To
argue that gambling Is essential to
the welfare of n city than 1t would
be to assert that 1t benefits the man,
for the interests OF the two are so in
terwoven as to become practically
identical. And " the business
man Gf such there be) who claims
that this form of vice Is beneficial
to the city would not for one mo-
mcnt tolerate the proposition that
his sons business prospects would
bc advanced by even occasional at
tendance at the gaming table.
The time has mt last arrived for
the people ofSpokane Falls to weigh
this question in the judicial balance
to apply the true test of reason, and
to determine the enduring policy OF
the city. This Is no time for rash
conclusions. Conscientious differ
cnces of opinion shoulN not be per-
nittcd to array one class of citizens
against another. If 1t can bc shown
that open gambling is beneficial to
the city's commercial and moral
interests (the two are inseparablc),
by nll means let the vice go on. II
that proposition he correct, then tho
gambler necessarily becomes useful
member of society, and as such Is
entitled to representation In the city
government, should have Il voice in
| the administration of the public
| schools, and no longer be placed
under the cruel ban of social ostra-
cism.
If, OH the other hand, he shall he
shown to be clog upon the worlds
progress, us il maintained by the
REVIEW, he certainly does not merit
the protection of tue people of Spo-
| kane, in plain violation OF the laws
of the city and the state.
Gambling is everywhere consid-
cred vice and an evil. On this
point the verdict of the world, and
the experience of history, are practi-
cally unanimous. If an evil In its
most glariug and dangerous forms is
to be tolerated, we must be prepared
10 accept its inevitable consequences.
What are these consequences?
First-The iinpoverishment of the
masses. In other words, the weak
ening of the foundation upon which
the superstructure of society is
erected.
Second---Thc maintenance of an
army of non-producers at the ex-
pense of the laboring element.
Third-Betraya Of financial
trusts, and occasional epldemlcs
of suicide.
Fourth--The presence of hungry
horde of sneak thieves, vagrants,
buns and street loufcrs who subsist
as parasites upon II parasite.
Fifth-The constant presence of n
network Of temptations which Is ~
certain to cnsnare large numbers OF
the sons and daughters Of Spokane
as the flshermen's net is to catch
fish.
Thesc are Il few of tho evil fruitt.
that The city of Spokane Falls IL
sure to gather If gambling Is per-
mittcd to fall into the old rut,
Has life become entirely devoid OF
duties? Are we to accept these fear
ful consequences for the sake of the
temporary gain of the trade of the
gambling element, trade that has
been diverted from its righttul
channels, and Is as sure to flow to
Spokane Falls us the waters of the
Columbia river are to pay tribute to
the Pacific ocean,
The law and order element of this
city do not desire ~ share in these
! inevitable consequences. Further
moro they consider it their "busi-
ness" to cndeavor to protect them
selves, and to guard their sons and
daughters from temptation and I'm
suit If that is not their "business,"
/ in the name Of reason, whose is it?