The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-15

an advertisement OF the lottery. Finally.
the State Of Louisiana itself. driven ny
an almost Irresistible public sentiment
from without, ana by like sentiment
from within, grove the dftadlul CURSE ''-
Meanwhile, in our Christian state,
we have been protecting by law what
ls last as Enthusiastically organized gamp-
ling as the lottery scheme. How does
this happen? What powerful influence
commends this form OF professional gamp-
ling 10 our Lawmakers? why are ""
told in advance that any attempt 10 pro-
hibit IL Is bound 10 be unsuccessful why
are we urgen to adopt what are ialstN
called conservative views and throw Inc
shield OF the law over this vicious Du~'-
ness for about One-third or me year
The answer ~ n very curious ahn 'nt1,
cstlng one. 4 wcil-iniOrmcd source ttiis
us that the agricultural societies IN tne
State and the gentlemen rldins ahu "iis
inc clubs wish 10 retain tins privilege. III
plain, sober truth, stripped OF az 'u
phemism, this means thai our asrlcul. ni.ll
Societies, for the revenue that mere ~ III
II, are anxious to become 'the patrons
and protectors OF this form or pfOl'1-
sionai gambling This is very serious
position for them 10 take, and IL seems
10 Va that they DO Themselves great IN
justice and permanent injury IN takinS ~.
1T may be said that the gdmblinh
spirit is 10 be found everywhere. Alas.
thai is too true. il - everywhere. ~
most every form OF business IS ldlnleu
with #. but ordinarily II Is dlss a.
commerce. II must nave, at any RAE
the appearance OF a comnerclai tiei'-
action. For our part, we shdH Dt sid"
10 see an honest effort made 10 stIlp lilt
thin disguise from the various iorfhs ol
gambling 80 prevalent In our modern
times and thus 10 expose their Ical cha.
acter and secure their oNerWhelmlhs cor
dcmnaiiOn: but in the case we are no"
considering there IS not even wy ~
fence of commerce Men who ply the ne
farious vocation Of book-mahinS ana poor
selling are professional gamblers lheN
come as n rule, from other states VIZ
they maintain their ao-cailed clup-. Ines
are Introduced 10 our yOutn by oiedIilNa
lions In all other matters entitled 10 lhef
respect. They set up their gamDiihS ap
Daratus IN the most favored portions OF
the grounds devoted 10 the promotion Oh
Agriculture and mechanic arts. 1he eN-
traorainRry privileges conferred on these
societies are transferred TO these gamblers
and the enjoyment OF them IS guaranteed
For our bart we hope the Legislature
of Virginia will follow the suggestions
Of our excellent Governor ana feiuse 10
grant 10 anybody, anywhere, the .is'l 10
engage in the business 81 pfott1Sioitdi
gambling. and We further nope lhat lie
agricultural societies VIII not, by tntlr au-
vocacy OF business outiaWed every
where else. and which they WISH 10 ntHl
TO evorybOry else. make ii Impossible ior
thousands Of good people who c,oralaiiy
sympathize with them In their laudabie
purposes to support them.
ri this friendly warning is UNDECIDED;
If the bill TO prohibit professional gam
bling fails 10 pass the Legislature, we
Venture to say that this win by no
means be the last OF IL. II the egricul--
tural societies defeat the bill they VII
suffer for IT, There is an undemonsira-
tive body OF Christian citizens I'm this
old Commonwealth who are difficult 10
arouse. Beca Use they are not easily
stirred. they are often contemned bht
tl,. me ed on
They are not likely 10 be wholly :neii-
ferent 10 the legalization OF a plain I'M
morality They will be heard from.
"Mr Maupn's bin to prohibit the whole
business ought by all means TO pass Let
every member Of the Legislature support
him