The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-06
The EVILS OF GAMBLING
How Men Try to Get Something for
Nothing and Don't.
WHAT "PATSY" PARKER SAYS.
Nearly all Of the Men He Arrests Have
Policy Tickets or Some Kind of Gam
bling Paper in Their Possession which
Probably Accounts for the Crime,

The Inherent desire in mankind TO spec
ulate and indulge in games Of chance has
been the topic OF discussion from time
immemorial. From the. pulpit have been
launched stern DEGREES against gambling
in any form, and the terrifying effects Of
the baneful habit on the morals OF it's
devotees are familiar TO every observant
man and woman.
Many criminals can trace their initial
steps in the broad and easy path TO ruin
from their petty speculations and all
alike look back with horror upon the SIN
strewn pathway which they have trod-
den, caused by such a step. Nothing is
so alluring to the cupidity Of mankind.
as the prospect of getting something for
nothing. or a great deal for very little,
and an individual calm and sane i'm other
matters frequently becomes nearly crazed
over the glltterng prospect o. securing
countless dollars by the investment OF
one.
But then, fortuue has rightly been
called sickle iade' aud smiles uoo alike
on all, and while one man may be sue
cessiul III his speculations there are
hundreds and even thousands of
Others, who misled by the golden prom
ises, enter into the clutches OF the demon
greed with impunity, only TO be- unsuc-
cessful, only 10 lose their all.
To be sure they have both eyes open
and have ample knowledge OF what is
awaiting them, but needless Of the dire
consequences and blinded by the golden
sheen they take the first step, following
that with another and yet another, until
eventually their natures are overcome
with the passion of gambling and they
are hopelessly in the tolls of the curse
1t Grows Stronger.
In every community the habit prevails
and grows stronger and stronger daily.
What is il that brings the unsophlsti
Gated farmer from his quiet little homo
far from the rush and whIrl of the busy
city In several chances out of ten ne
comes In response TO some green goodsr
circular sent to him by some willy rascal
who knows full well how TO tickle the
cupidity of the hory, handed son of toll.
But how does bis venture succeedp
Almost always successfully. The farmer
takes all the chances, he pays over his
good money and gets "A lot of sawdust or
waste paper, and is compelled TO asttle
his experience from the world. That
comes of a desire TO gamble or speculate.
The farmer wants TO get a good deal for a
very little and gets "bit" accordingly.
Detective Parker Talks.
In speaking on the subject of crime re-
Gently. Detective Parker expressed him
self strongly and clearly. lie considers
the passion of gambling as beir~~ an in
centive in great measure TO crime.
Said he in response TO a question by A
NEWS representative: You would be |
astonished could you see all the effects of
gambling on an individual In almost
every case when bring in a man, he has
either policy ticket, "A lottery ticket or
a horse ticket in his pocket, and in some
cases they are literally loaded down with
le sims N "A oil
men rec ntly who had been connected |
with several petty robberes in this vi |
each OF the three were in possess |
ion of any quantity of policy slips. They
would commit the crime for tue purpose |
OF getting money and would Immediately
invest all their cash in some favorfte |
combination In policy hoping thereby to |
make ten-strke. But their case was
similar TO that of many Others aud they
are now immured within the stone walls
IA the institution at Cranston.
How the Earnings Go.
All this comes from a morbid desire or
passion TO gamble. A man or youth at
,racted by the chances to obtain money
without apparent effort, may chance one
DR. two dollars aud possibly, unfortu-
lately for him, win small amounts at
,he first. He is at once seized with the
mania and plays fast and strong, hoping
~ win Hiore. ooon MS winnings OF the |
1rst are gone and he plays from his earn
ngs, which almost invariably disappear
From this point the commission of
ome petty crime as the robbery
If a money drawer is easy and is done
frequently. But how many of those who
tart in on this career ever succeed
any, and all bring up sooner or
ater against the horrible alternative of
eforming or going still deeper into crime.
The way of the transgressor is hard"
nd in no other manner is this so forciblv
Illustrated as in the case of the confirmed
amber.