The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-30
THE EVIL.

SOCe ROOR N' "
right to feel indignant at the manner in
which the present city authorities are
winking at the violation of law by the
gamblers. One of the charges brought
against the old city government wal
that the laws in regard to saloons and
gambling-houses were not enforced, and
one of the arguments used in favor of
the new charter was that it would mark
the beginning of O reform in this mat
ter. The present city administration
was elected on that platform. Mayor
Sullivan ran as q reform candidate. He
ran largely on his personal character
and was represented as being so much
better than his party that there need be
no fear but that the laws would be hon.
estly and rigidly enforced. His appoint
ments were to be made with special ref
erence to the carrying out Of this policy,
and he was to make it his business to
see that it was carried out. 1t is need
less to say these expectations have not
been fulfilled. There has been some
posing and some pretending in the direc-
ton of carrying out the pledges on which
the reform administration eame in, but
there has been no honest effort to do
SO. The saloons have never violated
the law with greater impunity than they
have since Mayor Sullivan was elected,
and gambling has never been carried on
ence. 1t has. in fact, become an open
and notorious evil. Buildings are leased
for the purpose. rooms are fitted up in
attractive style, and the seductions of
gaming are SO temptingly displayed as
to draw many victims into the meshes.
These victims include old and young,
the confirmed player and the new begin
Der, the man who risks his own money.
robbing only his own family. and the
one who robs his employer. In these
schools of vice the young man who be-
gins in q small way and risks a little,
'.just for the fun of the thing" rapidly
becomes a confirmed gambler, and is
soon ready for embezzlement. No vice
is more seductive, and none leads more
directly and surely to dishonest prac-
tAINos Aho thAo OdoAAO6 AiNo
been industriously carried on In many
places in this community, almost with
out interruption, ever since the present
municipal administration came into
power.
The excuse is often made that gam
bl ing is one of the evils that cannot be
suppressed, that it has always prevailed
in large cities and always will, and that
it is absurd to attempt to put a stop to
it. This is not to the point. 1t might
do as an argument In favor of repeating
the laws against gambling, but it is no
reason for not enforcing them. If gam
bling is honorable, or if it is impossible
to suppress it, let us repeal the anti
gambling laws, but as long Us they
stand let them be enforced. If enforced
they are ample for the practical sup
preston of the evil. Section 2079 of the
Revised Statutes provides that "who-
ever keeps n building or room to be used
or occupied for gaming; or whoever, be-
ing the owner of any building or room.
rents the same to be used or occupied
~ ditiuk Sn6it 10 HucO nOO bhnn
$500 nor less han So" Section 20S0
provides that whoever entices a minor
to engage in any gambling game or
whoever plays with a minor knowing
him to be such. shall be fined not less
than So nor more than 800 and impris-
oned in the county Jail not more than
one year nor less than thirty days. Sec
ton 1855 is as follows:
Whoever, for the purpose OF gaming with
cards. travels about from place TO place, or
frequents any place where gambling is per-
mitteu, or engages In gambling for n liveli-
hood. is O common gambler, and, upon con-
viction thereof. shall he fined not more
than 500 nor less than So. TO which may be
added Imprisonment in the county jail not
more than three months nor less than ten
days
Other provisions cover every phase of
the case, showing the intent OF the law
makers to strike at every form of gam
bling and to infict heavy penalties on
those engaging in it. There is album
dance of law on the subject.
Theresponsibility for therecentg growth
the city rests on the Mayor and other
members of the city government. The
Mayor is responsible for the entire ex-.
ecutiye department.. and as this includes
the Board of Public Safety and the pO-
lice, it carries a large share of response
bility. 1t is generally understood that
the chairman of the Board of Public
Safety is an aspirant for the mayoralty,
and that he is largely responsible for
the immunity which has been extended
to the gamblers. But this official is an
appointee of the Mayor, who is, there
fore, responsible for his acts. 1t is a
shame and disgrace hat a person hold
ing so responsible a position should
prostitute it through euch base channels
for his own advancement, actually con-
niving at violations of the Law ne is
sworn to enforce.
There is one city official, however. for
whom the Mayor is not responsible, and
who has, perhaps, done more than any
other to make the town a gamblers
paradise. This is Police Judge Buskirk,
who is elected by the people. He has
invariably imposed the lowest penalty
allowed by the law on persons arrested
for gambling, and has SO conducted him.
self towards them both on and off the