Evening star., 1896-09-28
JACKSON CITY GAMBLERS
Judge Chichester Appoints New Magistrate
and Constable.
Hope Now That the Cases VIII Come
to Trjal-The Reform
Movement.

Judge Chichester, at Alexandra today,
appointed Mr.. ]. Z. Supplee and Mr..
Thomas F. Peverill magistrate and bonded
constable respec lively for the Jefferson
district of Alexandria county, Virginia.
This action was the result of vigorous ef-
fort on the part of the Citizens League of
Alexandria county, and is regarded as most
encouraging by the residents Of that sec
ton who favor law and order. and who are
working for reform.
The order signed by Judge Chichester to-
day appointing Messrs. Supplee and Peverill
to the offices mentioned was brought about
by the Citizens League after the organiza-
ton became convinced that the prosecut-
ing officers of the county were not pressing
the cases instituted against the score or
mere of alleged gamblers against whom
warrants were issued they should be
pushed A committee representing the
league visited Governor OFerrall at Rich
mond last week and explained to him the
situation. The governor made a suggeS-
ton regarding the manner in which the
evil should be met, anu, on returning nome,
the committee circulated a petition, ad-
dressed to Judge Chichester, asking that
Messrs. Supplee and Peverill be specially
appointed magistrate and constable for the
Jeffers.n district. The signature of nearly
every resident of the district was secured
to the petition, and few days ago it was
presented by the committee to Judge Chi
chester at Fairfax Court House. The judge
Is holding court at Alexandria today, and
he took advantage of the opportunity to
make the appointments requested.
Vigorous Prosecution.
1t is expected that the alleged gamblers,
who have up to date managed to keep their
he ads above water, SO to speak, will now
be prosecuted in a manner decidedly busi-
| ness-Eke. The warrants issued by Squire
of hp ba
orce noted gambler, which were several
| times ruled to be defective, and which,
finally, could not he served because OF the
ahserce of the parties when wanted, will,
in all probability, he quashed, and new in
formations brought before the new magis-
| trate, Mr.. Supplee. The Citizens League
has every assurance that the new officials
Will fulfill their duties in a thoroughly ca
| pable manner.
Joe, alias ''SkiLney," Thomas and Mon
ty' Wells. two of the alleged gamblers
against whom Nelson secured warrants,
| have surrendered themselves for trial be-
| fore Squire Lane. They gave bond in the
sum OF 500, and the hearing was set for
October =. 1t is the belief of the league
| that the men. anticipating more deter
/ mined prosecution, decided that the wisest
| action on their part would be to stand trial
| before the colored justice of the peace
| John c. Nelson, the reformed gambler,
| who brought the cases against the others,
| is to be placed on trial at Alexandria We'd
nesday foT the murder of Deputy Hines by
| shooting him during a raid and affray at
| jackson City several months ago. 1t is
| declared by me- n.bers of the Citizens
Leagle that the prosecuting officers of
| Alexandria county are doing all in their
| power to push Nelson to the wall, in order,
| 1t is claimed, to prevent him testifying
| against his former associates. 1t is point
ed out as significant fact that Messrs.
| johnson and Marbury, who have represent
| ed Nelson's side in the case against the
gamblers will Irsecute him Wednesday
| for murder.
| Tne trial of Grant Smith for the murder
of a man named Johnson. by hitting him
| with club. near Jackson City several
| weeks ago. will be commenced at Alexandria
| tomorrow.
| Reform Movement,
| The reform movement in Alexandria
| county was started year or more age,
| when the residents became convinced that
| the ST. Asaph and Alexander Island race
| tracks, which were then in full blast, We're
taking more money from the county than
| they brought in. A spasmodic effort was
| made at that time to bring about a change.
| a petition was circulated. a mass meeting
| held and committee was appointed to Wis
| i: the governor of the state at Richmond.
AS the outcome of these efforts the Maupln
| anti-gambling bill was passed. The race
| tracks have not been open for public racing
| for some months, but a so-called commits
| sion business betting has been con-
| Quoted. Some claim that gambling is car
| ried on in full blast at the tracks
| In order to pay particular attention to the
| gamblers in the neighborhood of Jackson
| City and Rosslyn a meeting of citizens was
| held at Ballston and the Citizens League
| organized. The members have been de-
| cidedly wide-awake, and it was because OF
| the ba ckng of the league that Nelson Sc
| cured the warrants against the men re-
| Gently arrested. 1t is the intention to con-
tipue the good work without cessation until
the county is placed on a level footing sc
| far as law and order are concerned.
| The reform movement is beginning to de.
| velop in the city of Alexandria. A number
of the clergy and citizens have come to-
gether with the hope of correcting the evils
said to exist in that city. A meeting oi
| this organization is to be held this evening