The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-27
WERE THEY GAMBLING?
IN HABITUE TOOK FOUR DRINKS
IN BET1's EsTABLIsHMEyr.
A Door Was AJar and Bright Lights shone
From Shattered Windows Some
Few Interesting Questions.

The door TO Blacks gambling establish
ment, on Seventh between Broad and
Marshall streets. stood ajar last night.
and lights shone through the shattered
windows OF Belts den. on Bank street.
between Ninth and Tenth. Not only
this. but one Of the habitues Of the
Bank-street place says he spent part OF
his time there yesterday. and took four
drinks while in the establishment.
OF course, such a statement as the
above does not show that gambling was
being conducted in those places. but
yesterday and last night, with the Their
mometer dancing among the n~ineties,
was hardly the time for knights Of the
green cloth to ensconce themselves within
the privacy Of their beautifully-furnished
apartments. and discuss the merits Of the
Sherman law.
The grand jury cannot indict one man.
or a number of men, because a Times
representative or some other individual
SAW lights rhining through shattered
windows; raw doors OF entrances TO
gambling houses aJar, or because ha-
bitues took drinks in such a place; nor
does The Times intend 10 be a mouth
piece for the grand jury. and publish
facts mainly for their ediication. There
are too many well-fed. well-paid and at
least Misunderstanding officers Of the
law for TIE Times reporters to go about
doing detective service for the suppress
sion OF vice. when men are employed by
10 perform such duty, but
when the newsgatherer, after three IS
sues Of this paper have contained arti-
clcs stating that gambling was being
conducted in Richmond. and have given
names and places. finds doors left atar
and light shining through windows,
there Is but one rational conclusion ana
that is-there is something rotten IN
Denmark.
This paper very clearly pointed out to
the officers OF the law yesterday mat
the most complete way TO break up gamb-
ling in Richmond Is 70 raid the houses
and arrest those who indulge in the
games. II also truthfully stated that
The Times articles upon the subject had
received the highest commentator from
all right thinking people. with the
knowledge that gambling did take place.
and with the knowledge that the raiding
Of the houses would meet with the APP
prevail OF all descent citizens, 'and with
the knowledge tina gambling is a viola
ton Of the law. and with a knowledge
If they gave the matter a moments
thought-that the gamblers would not
give up their quarters, lock their doors
or lower their lights unless compelled
to. what excuse possible can the men
who are employed by the city offer when
they allow gambling establishments to
still exist?
OF course they can say that we-blue-
coated. brass-buttoned oflcers-were not
Officially notified" that Belts place had
lights that shone through shutters, and
of course they can say that they were
not Officially notified" that Blacks door
was partially opened: but are the people
Of Richmond 10 wait until the officers
listen to somebody swear 10 these mat
tiers? Are the officers paid TO hang around
corners and arrest a stray COW or n
bootblack shooting "crapT' Are they paid
to pass down Bank street and look to-
wards the ground, or are they paid 10
20 into bar-rooms, as one Of them did
Tuesday nightf
In point OF fact. what are they paid
for? And when that question is answered
then probably some Scion can inform
the public why the chief Of police don't
act in this matter, and why the grand
jury don't indict. and why. having been
Of facts, the captains OF the
police-stations don't raid such premises
and break up such pernicious dens Of
vice.