Evening star., 1897-01-18
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
The Mass Meeting Regarding the Gambling
Gases.
Resolutions in support of Sergeant
Smiths Raid-Other Local Notes
OF General Interest.
Evening Star Bureau,
No. III North Washington street,

Inc mammoth mass meeting at the
Methodist Protestant Church yesterday
afternoon was a decided success, and
from the many prominent faces noticed
among the audience it could be determined
at a glance that the better class of people
of this ancient city have at last decided
to express themselves openly as deter
mined to break up the gambling which
| has been conducted without molestation in
this city for years past. The church was
packed to the doors, and at the opening
hour standing room only could be had.
Among those present could be seen such
| men as Edward S. Leadbeater. Donald Nc
Clean, B. Wheatley, William H. Hellmuth
| H. F. Robinson. John r. Zimmerman John
G. Cockey, w. A Smoot. George S. French
j. r Robinson. James r. Cation, Gardner
5. Boothe Ashby Miller. John T. Nails
julius Pelton, Lawrence Washington, Geo
| X. HILL Worth Hulfish. ). r. n. Curtin, T.
H. Netherland, John H. Trimyer, E. G.
joyce, Frank J. Pollard, Charles King, f.
3. Kemp. W. +. Graves, G. William RAM
sey, Calvin Butts, F. J. Davidson, c.. L.
Hellmuth and N. S. Greenaway and many
other prominent business and professional
men,
Those ministers taking part in and con-
Quoting the meeting were Rev. Messrs.
Butler, Benson, Williams and McDougle.
The meeting was opened by singing the
familiar hymn My Country, Tis of Thee, -
song
OF our country rise from the throats of
the large gathering of men. Rev. L. j.
McDougle read the Hath Pslam, and Rev
DR.. Butler led in prayer.
Mr.. George r. Hill was chosen chairman
oI tne meeting by a unanimous vote, with
Mr. Thos H. Netherland as secretary Mr.
Hill, in few well-timed remarks told of
the great amount of gambling going on in
the city and the great harm it was doing
He commended highly the action of Sergt
smith in raiding these dens of iniquity and
vice. He then stated the object of the
meeting, which he said was to condemn
TINS vice and at the same time commend
the fearless action of Sergt. Smith and his
men for SO ably handling the raid of last
thursday. Upon motion, Messrs. James r.
eaton, Worth Hulfish and John R. thinner
man were appointed committee on reso-
Iutlons, and they retired. In the interim
stirring addresses were made by Rev Mr.
Williams of the NJ E. Church and Rev
Mr.. Benson of the NJ P. Church. Mr. Will
Hams said that it was measures, not men,
that were being fought. He did not stan nd
there to condemn any man. but he did nm
nes1tatin2ly condemn the vice. He asked
all to stand shoulder to shoulder in this
crusade against gambling. Mr.. Benson
spoke In about the same strain, impressng
upon all the necessity of vigilance This
nght Is not won YET said Mr. Benson
We must keep on the alert always"
Mr. Caton brought in the report of the
committee on resolutions, saving: We are
not here individuals nor to arraign in
u1V!dualS, but We are here to arraign a
vice, an evil, which the law prohibits, and
TO give a decided expression of our senti-
lnentS In the matter. We represent no re-
ilglous sect, denomination or creed but
stand for morality, law and order
take pleasure in submitting the fol
rowing resolutions, which we have pre-
pared:
Whereas the prevalence of gambling in
cur community is "a blot upon the fair
name ana reputation of our beloved city.
and is an evil destructive of good morals
and of good citizenship the existence of
Whlch evil in our midst has been recently
exposed by the energy and fidelity Of the
sergeant OF the city police force and his
associates, and
Whereas We deem it expedient and prop-
er al thls time to give an emphatic express
sion OF our opposition to the gambling evil:
10 commend those who have been instru-
mental in exposing the evil, and to assure
them and the authorities of our sympathy
and cooperation in the premises:
Resolved, That We are unaiterably on
posed to the gambling evil, and feel that
the good name of the city, it's moral well
lare ana the promotion of good citizenship
demands that II should be suppressed and
that vigorous measures should be adopted
TO that end, pledge our active support in
every effort of the authorities 10 accom-
pish it,
Resolved, That we most heartily con,-
mend Sergeant Smith of the CITY police
force, and those who aided him in the we'll
Planned and recent successful raid made
upon the gambling houses of this city and
hereby assure and pledge TO him and ,ber,
our most active and earnest. sympathv
cooperation and support in their faithful
discharge of their duties officers of the
law, ana we hereby declare that he and
they are entitled to both the Commences hon
ana the gratitude, as we'll as the cordial
support, of every law-abiiing citizen:
lished. NC puo-
Resolved, That we extend our svmn.tb,,
and support to the movement in AIexan-
drla county to suppress gambling.
Inc resolutions were passed unanimously
without discussion. The secretary read q
letter from Sergeant Smith. of which ~
following is a COPY: '@
10 the Citizens of Alexandria-GentIe-
men: Having been Informed that it is the
intention of the good people of Alexandria
10 present me with a token for nv SERVICES
IN the raids on the gambling dens. and feel
ing That have been amply repaid by con-
seriousness OF duty done and by the words
OF commendation received for myself and
fellow-officers who assisted me In the raid
therefore deem it my duty to decline such
token. Trusting that my actions ss a
member OF the police force will always
meet with the approval of all citizens who
love law and order, l am, very respectfully
JAMES T. SMITH, Sergeant.
Dr. +. s. Leadbeater Immediately arose
and in a few words spoke Of the action of
sergeant smith. commenting him in words
OF the highest praise, and "in view of that
letter., he said, Il move that a vote of
thanks be extended Sergeant Smith and
those officers who so faithfully assisted
him. The motion was carried Unanimous
ly.
Inc meeting was quiet and orderly. and
deliberate, and totally devoid of feeling
Ihere was but one voice, and that was con-
demnation of the vice and commentator
Tor Sergeant Smith and his fellow-officers
who raided the policy shops.
The trials Of the gamblers will be held in
the corporation court room tonight at Z
O'Clock, and great deal of interest is be-
ing taken in the matter. Mayor Thompson
mas concluded to try the cases in the corpo-
ration court room. inasmuch as the police
court room would not accommodate those
VINO wish to hear the trials. Some interest
ing testimony will certainly be heard.
Police Court.
Mayor Thompson this morning disposed
OF the following cases: Edward Grayson,
colored. charge. assault and beating VIM.
Harris; fined S or twenty days in the
gang.
Jerry Simms, colored, charge, assault and
beating Julia Cheeks; fined s. or twenty
days In the gang.
George Carter colored, charge, escaped
from the chain gang; had thirty days add
ed to original sentence.
Thomas OConner, charge, drunk in the
street; dismissed.