The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-02-13
GAMBLING.
Legislative Remedies Suggested for Its
DiscouragemenU.

DiScouragemenC.
Gambling is a moral rather than po-
litical disorder and it is as difficult TO de-
termine when the sin begins as when
mans effort to acquire property degener-
ates into coVetouSneSS or his interest IN
the gentler sex degenerates into lust. 1t
is clear that all gaming is not immoral
any moro than all kissing or all money
getting is immoral, though both may
conduct to criminal excuses. " mere the
immortality begins is known only to the
Searcher of hearts. 1t is question OF
conscience. Human governments have
long ceased to claim jurisdiction over the
motives OF men, simply from the Impos-
sibility of ascertalning them, and hence
the practical disregard by courts and po-
lice of the stringent laws against gam
bling, which have been for years on the
statute books of most if not all the States.
1t is to be feared the like fate awaits this
amendment [abolishing gambling estab-
lishments in New \ DIRK Statel, Tor It's lit
eral enforcement would strike as serious
blow at the individual liberty of every
citizen as if the Constitution were to limit
or define the precise amount of atmoS-
pheric air which each person was 10 con-
Hume every twenty-fOur hours.
We thought we had accomplished a
great reform when we forbade the sale OF
lottery tickets many years ago, but no
one now pretends that it checked gaming
at all; it simply drove it into new chan
nels. The Legislatures of many States
have been trying for three-quarters OF a
century to make the sale of alcoholic
drinks crime, but what has it all accom-
plished? Were intoXicants ever so uni
yersally used as now? 1t is practically
impossible to make men feel that they
have not an inherent right to eat and
drink what they please, and to spend or
waste their money and health as they
nj hn | a0r5sl lot md Dr-
takes to frame a law for the enforcement
OF this anti-gambling amendment, it will
find itself confronted with the necessity
of seriously abridging individual liberty,
or of adding to our Penal Code new
series of laws which no one is going to
respect.
1t can and should repeal the Ives pool
bill, and cease drawing revenue from a
vice it condemns, SO that gambling shall
have no countenance from the State.
1t should also lay its heavy hand upon
all who make it their business or calling
to provide houses, tables dens or any
facilities for gaming, from which they
are to derive a revenue. In the exercise
of such a power the Legislature would be
little likely to Interfere with the proper
liberty of the individual, and pretty GER
tain to discourage to a very cOnsiderab BILE
extent, the vice which now goes by the
name of gambling, by rendering it's in
struments criminal and infamous. Such
law might, in some degree, substan
TALLY perhaps, reinforce those reformers
who are endeavoring to avail themselves
OF loftier agencies TO eXtinguish the in
clination TO gamble. The proper and
only radical cure is to educate people to
be ashamed to prey upon each other in
this way; but law making criminal all
who live by facilitating and encouraging
others in the vice may prove an important
ally of the pulpit and the press In resist
ing the spread OF the most demoralizing Of
all demoralizing propensities. j ohm
Bigelow, in harper's Magazine.