The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-05
HEAyTI-GAUBLING Law.
All Honor to the Religious Herald and
the Richmond Times"

Rev. DR.. Andrew Broadus writes as fol-
lows to the Religious Herald
The struggle is over the victory has
been won. and the Maupin bill Is now
the law OF the land. For this "consum-
nation. so devoutly to be wished" the
opponents or vice. and the friends OF the
good name OF the State are largely in
debted to many OF The newspapers, and
especially 20 the Religious Herald and
the Richmond Times. These two papers
were the first In the State TO attack the
Infamous law that legalized gambling
and fostered those dens of corruption
near Alexandria, and their assaults were
marked by a persistence. courage, yigor.
and ability. which It would have been
well for some other papers at least TO
have tried to initiate. and which proved
irresistible. All honor TO the Religious
Herald and the Richmond Times! Now
let the law be impartially and strictly
enforced.
While a discussion of the Maupin bill,
either pro or con. on its merits, would
now be out OF place. yet / think ii VIII
be well to recall and to remember some
things said and done during the contest
over that bill. 1t was alleged that gam
bling at agricultural fairs was in the in
ltEEHl VI lLD tlild ~ ~ a. 49, A'eA1N
intimated that they (the farmers) favor
ed the practice. for the sake of the money
brought by II into the treasures OF agri-
cultural societies. For more than fifty
years I have been a farmer in a small
way. and all my life has been passed
among farmers, and | do not hesitate 10
denounce any inslnuation that farmers
favor gambling I'm any form. or desire TO
receive the wages OF iniQuity." which Is
its fruit, as n base SANDER. No class IS
freer from the vice Of gambling than
farmers, and their interests have been
injured, instead OF being promoted, by
its Introduction at agricultural fairs. /
attended several fairs held by the Nir-
ginia Agricultural Society during its ear
lier history. At these fairs only agricul-
tural and domestic productions and farm
animals were exhibited and, instead Of
horse-racing, there were blowing matches
on one occasion, a plOw was drawn by
n beautiful team OF four Devon cows,
and their sleek, red coats. and shapcly,
glistening horns attracted Universal adnii-
ration. At one OF the fairs. a race-horse
was brought on the grounds, but he was
ridden around In a walk, only that the
people might see n horse that had be-
come famous by winning several great
races. During the fair. mass-meetings
were held at night, at which questions
OF interest to farmers were discussed by
such men as William c. Rives. Ballard
Preston. James Lyons. General Cooke,
Edmund Rufiin. and BILLY" Gilmer. In
teligent farmers were deeply interested
in these discussions and materially BEN
Gifted by them.
OF later years the chief object Of the
managers OF the State Agricultural So
ciety seems 10 have been TO gather as
large a crowd as possible at the annual
fairs. and for this purpose gewgaw
shows, horse-racing. and gambling in
various forms have been introduced on
the fair grounds. Persons attracted by
such means neither know nor care any
thing about farming. and consequently
agricultural exhibits enlist no interest
and attract no notice. Good morals and
good farming would both be promoted
by return Of the society 10 its early
principles and practice.
During the consideration OF the Maui
pin bill. the committee in charge OF II
invited any citizen, who might desire TO
do so. 10 present before tho committee
his views OF the bill. Among others.
several ministers Of the gospel accepted
the invitation. They appeared before the
committee. not as ministers, but as citi-
zens and yet some of the advocates Of
gambling protested-sOmetmes in yituper-
alive MISUNDERSTANDING permitting
preachers 20 take any part m the dis
cussion. They seemed 20 hold that in be-
coming a preacher, a man forfeited his
rights as q citizen, and that gamblers
and their advocates are far better quail
fed 10 discuss a moral question than are
ministers OF the gospel To what In
fluences this opinion was due, IL is now
needless, and perhaps would be unwise
10 inquire. Persons acquainted with the
facts and circumstances attending the
discussion OF the Maupin bill can form
their own opinions in regard 10 II.
In closing this communication, | offer
two or three practical suggestions. While
the opponents of gambling may Justly re-
iO'ce over the victory won by the passage
OF the Maupin bill let them not suppose
that they need give themselves no fur
Their concern about the matter. The gam
blers are alert, have the command OK
large amounts OF money. and are utterly
unscrupulous. They Will adopt any de-
vice and resort 10 any trick 70 evade or
TO nullify the Maupin law. Already they
are taking steps 10 test the constitution
atty OF that law before the courts. Watch
the enemy (he requires watching), ana
meet him at every turn. Mark the men
who voted against the Maupin Dill, ana
never vote for one Of them again for any
office whatever No advocate OF gambling
is NJ 10 hold Office.
Now that the state Agricultural So
ciety has been purged Of the toul STAN
that rested on it. attend its fairs. and
I'm every way I'm your power give II en-
couragement and aid.