The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-17
A Plen for Anti-Robbery.

Editor Times.
Every circus has its side shows. boosters
and peanut yenders who paddle around IN
the mud. trying to catch a few 0ribbhng
pennies from the great crowd attracted by
the expensive advertising of the large circus.
Every State fair, exposition, etc, has like
wise its side shows boosters and peanut
vendors. who strive % catch few pennies
from the great crowds attracted by the
honest advertising OF the executive com
mttees OF such eXpOsitions, etc. with
our fairs and exposltiOns, though, IN
some places there is another class who
are attracted not by the embellishments and
premiums offered for eXhlblts-but by the
fact that they are able 10 obtain license to
rob steal swindie. cheat. beat. humbug or
ANYTHING you choose 70 call 1.-THE unsophis-
ticated visitor 70 such gatherings. Ii Is need
less TO say ] refer TO the linTinclolel 'fas-9
Gamblers That license should be granted
by any exposition managers 10 these ltine-
rant swindlers. either directly or indirectly.
is a direct cOntrOVersiOn Of the oble,ts aimed
at in encouraging our fairs ana eKpOsltlons
Fit Is not possible g. conduct fairs and e1-
positions without the revenue that ~ de-
rived from license granted these sWndlers
10 rob our citizens ana literally fleece our
more susceptible rural brethren, then 1t rS
time 10 conclude that fairs and expositions
are impracticable, ineXpedlent, perllOus. and
a menace 10 society, when we fully under
stand what generalization IS wrought by
the Vaccinations of these licensed gam
blers. Hundreds OF young men can point
q these tables Of exhibit as the begin
ming of q series Of periodical sittings at
other gambling tables-which IN a
great many cases does not tend
to augment the cash account of their en-
blowers. DO these gentlemen pay fabu-
lOus amounts for their lcan5e (prOtectlon)
merely for she sake OF exnlbitlnga square
game If even chance! No every one Oh
their multfarlOus devices of robbery gam
inc is So constructed as 70 render II an utter
impOssibilty for the novice" 10 win. 10
YOU think the wheel OF fortune IS "a fair
game, The manipulation can stop the Wheel
at any number he desires. Have you 'ried
vour luck at she striking machinet II has
two ratchets.that connect. with tho rod that
stops the indicator as It Is struck up. one
ratchet will cause the indicator to stop
on the prizes; the other 20 stop on the
blanks.
Tho gentleman" who manipulates this
device may, at will and without chance OF
detection, stop the Indicator where be
chooses. The indicator is generally stopped
al the blanks for the citizens and at me
prizes for the 'cappers' Of the game By
the employment of these 'oappers While q
]
tie game, they (crIer and capper) render
the pastime very entertaining and enticing'
inasmuch as the capper wins az every
stroke These manUuyerers have Dy now
performed their office. as at this Iuncture q
great many are willing to invest Just nall
dollar for luck" First novice starts OF
and Of course loses. Then the "capper
courts conversation with the novice. winch
in very incredibly short space OF time
evolves into great intimacy ana interest III
one auothers affairs. Or course the cap
pern understands his business. Several
more chances are bought by these TWO
newly-made friends, but luck has changed
and both are losing AZ every turn. Saws the
"capper'; Never mind. friend II you lose
all you have II will make no difference.
am Tar ahead Of the game, and as we are
playing together | will stake you 70 nall
| I've GOT Our dupe of course loses every
cent he has and then the capper does
likewise as speedily as possible, rendering
| il impossible 10 divide that Whieh ne uoeS
! not nossess with the fleeced victim o. over
| confidence. The two 60 away together
| lamenting over their i'll luck. our CAD
perU deposits tho victim among some OF his
friends Tor safe keeping and then returns 70
his place of business ready Tor the next
victim &C.
Have YOU tried the dice game, They are
| all loaded and can be handled 70 SUIT Tie
convenience of the gentleman" who runs
| the game. Have you tried dropping a mar
bic in the "cohee-pots' This game II
worked somewhat on the same principle a.
the striking machine. In short, every one
of the devices. as before stated are con.
/ structed on such mechanical principles tna'
il ia the most realistic impossibilty con
| ceivable that one should even win a cent.
| Now. if what is affirmed in the foregoing
are facts. as they most positively. are. IS II
not high time that some steps should %
taken by the proper authorities 70 put
/ stop to this demoralzng precedent: