The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1896-01-24
TN THE COPPER CITY
Resume of the Most Notable Events Transpiring
During the Week-Notes and Personals
By Special Correspondent of The New Northwest

ANACONDA, January 25.-Ihe majority
of aldermen in Anacondas city council
have decided to put gambling up stairs.
The ordinance is to go into effect Febru-
ary T. That is, if it becomes law. There
is a doubt upon this point, however.
Mayor Thornton has until the first meet
ing in February to sign the ordinance.
Those who are intimately acquainted with
the mayor and who know his views upon
the subject Of gambling, profess to be-
lieve that he will veto this measure. Be
yond any doubt public opinion in Ana
conda would sustain him in such an ac-
ton. The cat-hop which was put up and
worked through the city council concern
ing this gam bling proposition has become
very unpopular in this city during the last
week. The more it is discussed the more
Objectionable it becomes. Public opinion
is overwhelmingly in favor of the entire
abolition of licensed gambling within this
city, but if gambling is to be licensed at
all the best element in this city earnestly
protests against dark lantern methods and
attic rolling. The people of Anaconda
do not look upon this measure, which is
calculated to spread gambling all over
town and put it in most undesirable
places, as being in the nature of a reform
measure. Itis looked upon more as a fool
ish scheme to increase the evil and to add
to the injury which gambling does. Prop
erty owners earnestly protest against
more than one business block being made
a rendezvous for gamblers. The merce-
nary spirit rules in this as in most things.
If gambling is so Objectionable to the al
| dermen, why do they pull down the blinds
to allow gambling to run riot behind the
screens? tits notorious fact thata young
man in position of responsibility does
not take the risk Of going into a gambling
house and sitting down at faro table
when his employer is liable to pass at any
moment and see him playing. Hide the
gambling away up stairs in cubby holes
and dark rooms, give back door entrance
to the dens, and the young man who is
disposed to do wrong will find plenty of
opportunities to tempt fortune. There
are honorable men among the gambling
fraternity, doubtless; there are also
thieves. The plan of Anaconda's alder
men is to SOW the seed for a rich harvest
for the thieves to reap. 1twon't do. The
/ public is down on the principle. II
gambling is wrong in the cellar, it is
wrong on the roof. Putting the layout
IA feet nearer heaven does not take the
curse away from the game. It is earn
estly to be hoped that Mayor Thornton
will test the sincerity of these aldermanic
| reformers and advocate at the next meet
ing of the city council measure looking
towards the entire prohibition Of the evil
Of gambling within the corporate limits
Of Anaconda IF it is good thing to re-
legate it to the upper story, it is good
thing to abolish entirely. The public
has no interest whatever in the jealousies
and chickering's and quarrels Of the gamb-
lers. Neither has the city council any
right to care for the interests of the own
ers of one gambling house to the detri=
ment of the proprietors of the gambling
place next door. The city council was
not elected to promote the interests OF
one gambling house to the injury of an
other. When it assumes to do this it is
running counter to public opinion and tc
the principles of decency and fair play
If one gambling house is to be closed
close the others ALSO There should be ne
discrimination in this matter. The evi
is as great under one roof as under the
other. Public morals are not materially
benefited by closing one gambling house
and giving neighbor license to do as he
pleases. It is a principle repulsive tt
every idea Of justice and fair play. +
Mayor Thornton will veto this measure
which is calculated to put gambling II
the attics of every business block in thu
city, he will earn the lasting gratitude Of
nearly every property holder in the towr
and will deserve the approval of every
right-minded citizen within the corporate
limits. To make such measure Law
would be a lasting disgrace aud little
short of a crime. We do not believe thi
wrong will be finally consummated.
should not.
1t seems that Anaconda is to have
month of first racing again mex
season. According to current repor
plans are now making whereby promi
nent horsemen of this city are arranging
to secure for the Montana circuit mex
season all of the good harness horses ant
sprinters now on the western coast
Chicago newspaper one day week or 81
ago published the statement that Marcn
DAILY was planning a race meeting whicl
would offer a grand aggregate Of at leas
$500, 600 III prizes. The story was prob
: ny,n srrro wn%,<7 I,,& a.