The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-04
IT GOES As IT LAYS
King Faro HeedS Not the "HunCh,
But Stands Pat.
GROUND FLOOR GAMBLING
me Question in the City Council
Thoroughly Reviewed-The May
or Explains His Action In
the Premises.


The meeting Of the city council which
was expected 20 De exciting proved TO
be tame, though eventful. The sensa-
tons expected were cooled under a rlgld
enforcement of the rules and the climax
was blun.ed.
Gambling will remain just where II is
and where il has been in the history OF
the city. Mayor Thornton's veto was
effectual and carried with it sucn
weight that the friends of second-sioTy
gambling could no; hold the solid seven
who voted for the measure on former
occasions.
Tae veto message of Mayor Thornton
was as follows
TO the City Council.
Il return herewith without my sigma
turc an ordinance passed at your last
session regulating gambling. The meas
ure prohibits all gambling except upon
the second floor of buildings.
"A certain block in the city has been
occupied for gambling for many years,
and IL has been carried on In grade
floor. If the measure now becomes
law III will of necessity extend beyond
its present limits into all sections OF the
city, niue hto the injury any annoy
ance of our people. and be more obJec-
rionable than where now confined. Its
extension by sanction of municipal act
meets with disapproval, and no good
can result by forcing II into new places.
In regard t. compelling gaming 10
De carried on upon the second story OF
buildings. there is also a serious obJec-
1ton to its becoming law of this city
Gambling will thrive and increase un-
der the secrecy that will follow. II IS
not proper or eXpedient TO give so much
ccope 70 Il, and under the system or
licensing now prevailing il should be
public and open-thHt it may be always
under the notice and attention OF the
proper officers.
1t would be far better at this time 20
cur.al rs latitude. rather than under
the gulse OF regulation Increase II, and
! would recommend 70 the council If
within its power to pass an ordinance
looking 20 the entire prohibition OF
gambling. W. NJ. Thornton,
Mayor
Anaconda. Feb. 3, 1896.
When this message had been read by
Clerk OLeaT'y the mayor said:
Gentlemen Of the Council-The ques-
Tion now before YOU il. shall the bill
become law Notwithstanding the veto
of the mayor
Alderman Cox rose to inquire If any
other step could be taken at this time,
and the mayor sold him Of the courses
which lay open to the council, one OF
which was To recommit. This Alderman
Cox moved. but he received no second.
The question shall the ordinance
pass?' again came on and he roll call
resulted as follows: Morris. Williams.
Lesser, Shovlin, Rom, yes; Lappen, Cox
and WallSup, no.
Alderman Shovlin was anxious for an
opportunity TO explain his vote, but
Mayor Thornton declared him out OF
order as the time for debate had pass
ed by and he had had his chances on
the floor.
The mayor declared the ordinance
lost, and there was a murmur of APP
proval from the crowd OF spectators
outside the railing. as they rushed for
the door. That was all there was in
the council meeting TO interest them.
Routine business then proceeded.
Applications for permission to build
ironClad buildings on the vacant lots
opposite the NJ. T.. church toward the
west We're granted to Leck Bros. n
Co. and the Standard Publishing com
pany The council rcserving the right
TO remove them at any time.
Propositions received from clock firms
with proposals for furnishing the city
han clock were referred To the build
ing committee.
Dr Lester registered kick because
certain paVcments were not laid on
Third and Fourth streets, between
missioner ONeil said they would be at
tended to as soon as the frost is out of
the ground. Commissioner O'Neil wars
instructed To clear up East Commercial
street. which Is strewn with small
rocks.
Alderman Lesser moved that when
the council adjourn. they adjourn to
meet Feb l.. Carried.
Alderman ShoVlin then attempted To
make his explanation Of his vote on
the gambling regulation. He criticised
the change Of view in his brother al
Gcrmen, and was Interrupted with the
statement from the chair that il nc
wanted TO criticise this was not the
time, such matters were better heard
on the street Alderman Shoyliu then
continued TO deny street rumors that
came To his ears that he had dickcred
with gamblers In their interest against
other gamblers. He did not believe il
possible TO abolish gambling while the
state law licenses it,
City Attorney O'Leary read an or
dinance which had been called for
regulating the closing hour for saloons.
making all close between the hours OF
midnight and o'clock a. m. Alderman
Shovlin wanted 10 tack on an amend
ment closing gambling games during
the same hours. which necessitated re-
Vising the ordinance and the matter
went over till the next meeting Coun-
ell then adjourned.