The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-17
A sUPPOsABLE CASE.

This newspaper has, for years, exerted
itself TO advance the lines OF morality
and justice in every matter that affects
the people Of Virginia, end especially the
people of Richmond.
Believing. with the deepest conviction.
in the principles Of the Democratic par
ty, and further believing that that which
is morally wrong. cannot be politically
right, The Times has set its face ike
a flint against every form OF political
corruption as degrading TO our people
and destructive to our party.
In pursuit Of this determination. 1t has
assailed frauds. perjuries and briDeries
in elections, and has pointed out that
corrupted ballot box was a Pandora s
box Of evils without hope. 1t has con-
tended that business principles should
rule IN the business affairs Of the city,
and that obedience 10 the laws, no mat
ter how heavily some law may press
upon our private views Of what is rea-
sonable and logical. is essential to the
preservation Of the peace and dignity oi
the Commonwealth.
1t has declared that neither the pri-
vate citizen nor the officer Of the law
were 10 decide that an Objectionable law
was no law-but that all laws should be
enforced until repealed or modified; and
this position was taken with special re-
ference to the law forbiddinS the Sale,
under any circumstances, Of wine. beer
and spirituous liquors. as beverages, on
Sunday-a law which In our opinion
should be modified.
1t has contended that in the election Of
a Chief Of Police the man for the place
should be some one wholly ASSOCIATED
from those habitrai and well-known
law-breakers, the professional gamblers;
thai he should be one who would see that
the law for closing bar-rooms on Sunday
should be mpartially enforced.
To an ordinary citizen this qualifica-
tior for a Chief of Police and this sup
port of law, would appear Indispensable
in the one case. and reasonable in the
other. but 10 others it gave great offence
so much 50 that an effort was made
to boycott" this paper, which, however
has entirely failcd-thou2h some who
sympathized with the iawless and cor
rupt classes have withdrawn both their
subscriptions and their business. while
others. and we are glad 10 say they are
the majority. have come 10 the support
Of the paper with their patronage be-
cause Of its avowcd position on these
points. The conflict is plain one, be-
tween those who make society cndura-
bic and honorable. and those whose aim
is to prey on the earnings OF their in
dusirious neighbors. and lead lives OF de-
pravity and vice. Ii is important that
the case should be well understood. our
whole system Of government, national,
state, and municipal. finds its main
spring and only safety in the healthy
morality, and intelligent interest, Of the
people IN affairs of government
We had thought that as far as the
gamblers were concerned no argument
was required 10 satisfy any ordinary
good heart and sound head. that their
business was intolcrable. and their in
huence perncious and abominablc. yet
such has been their sway here. that u
Sunday newspaper in Richmond very re
Gently pictured them thus:
1.-THE history OF gambling in this city IS
a varied one and the ylcissitudcs OF the
genus gambler from time almost I'M
memorial have been numerous. Nithal'
however. the mca who obtain their hV'-
nhood in This precarious fashion are IA
kind hea rted and generous set ana
though they meet with many fails ana
arc always ready 10 stake their las; dol
lar, or even their lives. OH the turn OF a
card. they are as a rule free from care,
and pass down the waik"ays OF He
in as happy a frame OF mind as If they
had been forever granted immunity from
troubles, and knew not OF a vale OF tears. ="
From this II would appear that gamblers
are hero regarded a. leading enviable