The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-10
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AS1I.GAMBLING LAW.

ono NJ the results Of the recent cleo
ton in New York was the adoption OF an
amandmcnt 10 the State Constitution
AGAINST all forms of gambling. The
amendment is in these words: Nor snail
any lottery or the sale or lottery uoAe 10
nooI-selling book-making. or any other
kind of gambling hereafter be authorlHeu
or allowed within this state; ana the
Legislature shall pass appropriate laws 10
nreveLt offerccs against any OF the pro-
visions of this section
This amendment was bitterly but Sc
cretly opposed by all the fraternity oil
gamblers. and openly by the owners oil
race courses and race horses. II was
coaterded that 1t would destroy the value
of all race courses and of all trottinS
and running horses to the extent OF scores
of millions of dollars and that all coun-
~ fairs would be suspended, with the
consequent injury TO agricultural inter
ests.
The book-makirg pool-selling, faro
dealing gentry did not appear, but art
fully put forward the interests OF the
nrudent and cautious farmer and of the
millionaire breeders of fine stock.
II was all of no avail. The notorious
fact that a large per cent. OF defalca-
tions was directly traceable TO gambling
both on the race course and in the gam
hing dens. overwhelmed the feeble cry
for pool-selling at county fairs ana raihes
nj church fairs. and all those speclous
pretexts which in themselves contain the
germs of an evil disease. but are special
w used to cloak the deepest and darkest
vices at other places.
The amendment will not have the diretul
effect on fine horses which Is predicted
nor do we believe it will be construed 10
prevent races for purses to be onered
by agricultural fairs or jockey clubs. 1t
will cut up by the roots the abomina-
lions OF booB-makng and pool-selllng
which in these latter days have found
40 Coxey's army did for while, foot
hold on Virginia soil; but which, Ike
Coxev,s army. must be driven out at all
costs.
The law passed by our last Legislature
~ authorize pool-selling and book making
seems TO have thrown wide open the door
to the most depraving and reckless gam
Hing. There are some pretended limita-
tions. but they are Intellectual, and the
true inner story of the scenes which are
daily enacted at ST. Asaph's, near Alex
andria, and at the south end Of the Long
bridge would be interesting. If not start
ling, Ieauing
The everlasting aggressions of those who
wish to live by vice and without work
can only be checked by an equally vigil
liant and more determined resistance by
those who love the peace and order OF
society and wish TO live by honest labor
and to bring their sons and daughters
up in the way they should go. We are
fully persuaded that all tampering with
these vices, whether at Alexandria or
at our own Fair (as we had an opportu-
nifty to see lately, is simply innoculat-
ing the body polite with deadly virus.
By permitting such practices we VIII see
all sorts of vice become rampant; cor
ruption will work its way into every
department of State and city administra-
ton and into the homes OF all classes
of society. You cannot draw the line be-
tween what is allowable and what is not
when the line Of principle is wiped out
AS soon as II Is assumed that vice in any
form is a necessary evil. and 10 be turned
10 account under a judicious admlnistra-
ton, down go the bulwarks of protec-
ton. and we will find out sooner or later,
as they have already found out in New
York. that the defenders OF society are
It's deadliest enemies, and that the aegis
of law is bought for the protection Of
those against whom the law deaounces
its heaviest penalties
There can be no compromise. Better