The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-21

and gambling. At this time, We have
only To do with the last and most dan
gerous way Of getting money.
IL DehoONes every one to have well de-
nned In his own mind why gambling
should be prohibited In our State. IL Is
not enough to be opposed to IL because
otners are, or to be Indifferent about the
matter simply because others are. The
vice Is worldwide. All stages OF society
are inoculated with this poison. from
the wealthy in their palaces, to the little
darkey who plays crap In the secluded
alley. 1t prevails everywhere-in many
political clubs. turning them into nur-
series OF dishonesty. in many social cir
Giles. sapping the foundations OF virtue;
IN business enterprises, tending 10 fraud
and bankruptcy; and often enters the
domestic circle, disgracing iafher ana
mother, and breaking up many happy
homes. II leads 10 embezziement. theft
bankruptcy, and suicide. Therefore,
have said il is a vice. PrOof-D II Is
against Scripture. Read all those pas
sages which declare against getting gain;
examples, Prov l., -O-l9; Prov. 10, q, lisa.
%, II; Ezek. o. q; etc; % 1t Is against
and opposed 10 conscience; l3) saps the
foundation Of ali commerce. CD works evil
wherever it Is allowed Is II strange
that all good men are opposed 10 ~
This vice has always been linked TO the
darkest side of humanity. IL is the
curse of the age. The sevenfold indict-
ment that has been successfully sus-
tanned against gambling is-W II engen-
ders idleness: % it encourages dishon-
esty. sd 10 IS prejudicial 10 commerce;
CD 10 is demoralizing 10 society. Coz IL
maddens the brain. 90 1t indisposes a
man for religious duty, CD and II cuts
the root of happiness.
/ have thus briefly stated what
crime gambling is. Your space VIII not
permit me 10 enlarge upon each Of these
statements. What tales OF sorrow, dis
grace. and murder can be narrated. con-
nected with or traced TO this crime.
/ wish every member of our State
Legislature now assembled in Richmond
would consider these things. and pass
law prohibiting pOOl-selling ana DOCK
making-not allowing these evils any
where or at any time. III they are an
evil II they who practice them TO get
gain are allowed anyWhere-oh race
tracks. either I'm driying-parks, or county
fairs-how can any member OF our Legs
lature look honest men Farmers me-
chanics. merchants. ministers Of the Cos
pei. etc) In the face, and ask them 10
vote for him?
1t is too plain to be denied that Viz
ginia has dumped upon its sacred sou
an the Stun and onscourings Of the
United States. because 10 allows gamn-
ling on the racc-tracks. When Ne"
Jersey passed laws prohibiting pool-seil-
ing and book-making. and made the fine
so heavy and the imprisonment so SCI
we're for amy infraction Of the law. then
these men sWarmed across the Potomac
and hived their nefarious hordes upon
Virginia's soil. When GuttenDurg, Linz
den. Monmouth. Gloucester. and other
race-tracks closed, their votaries knew
just where 10 90 and "run their race
until again tho law-and-order people
should arise as one man. and say. 'Go.
Has not the time come, Oh, legislator
for the state Legislature Of Virginia 10
saw. Gambling is accursed, and We VIII
have none Of it,? We are already dis
graced. We have become "a kissing and
70 by-Word" among the states. shall
this go on2 You have II within your
power 10 say whether your state shah
continue 10 be a dumping-ground for
slums. sluggers, blacklegs, and the im-
moral garbage Of other States. as Sc has
been for some time past Why shall de-
cent men and women. who have some
state pride be made 10 blush because
YOU do not say this crime Of gambling
shall not Doe permitted in Nirgi=af Re-
move the occasion of offence and shame.
OLD SITTER.
Manassas. Va, Jan. Il, 1886.