The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-05
A COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC MORALS.
Its Chairman Seems to Have Some Pc
cuIiar Ideas.
San Francisco Call.

San Francisco Call.
The action of the board of supervisors in
appointing committee on public morals to
take charge of the spiritual interests of the
people of San Francisco is a move in the
right direction. There is nothing that this
city needs so much as general moral re-
luvenation. During the recent controversy
between Capt. Lee and Police Commission
err Gunst it was stated on behalf of the lat
ter that the own is and has been for some
time wide open." This means that gamb-
ling is carried on throughout the city with
lmpunity, and that "raffe-offs' for those
appointed to preserve the morals of the
town are everywhere prevalent; all of
winch indicates that If the new committee
on public morals does its duty it will be able
TO make glorious record for itself.
But If Captain Patrick Micheltorena De-
iany, chairman of the new committee, has
been accurately interviewed by a reporter
Tor this journal-and in default of a supple
mental explanation we are justified in as
Stunning that his views on the moral ques-
lions which confront us have been correct
~ g1Ven-We are compelled to say that he
is the wrong man in the right place. The
captain is a very estimable gentleman, and,
we understand, maintains the strictest NOR
ais himself Evidently the code he observes
personally, however, he does not think
would be received with applause by the
masses. For instance. he says the nickel
1n-the-Slot machines will be made to go
by the committee, but he does not place his
determination tc obiterate them upon moral
grounds. lie says that no man living can
beat them, for he has tried 1t himself.
Shaking dice, he intimates, Will be permit
ted-not because that practice is moral, but
gentlemen to decide which shall pay for the
drinks. Besides, he adds, dice shaking Is a
fair game. when you are shaking with
friends" says the captain, you have an
even chance to come out even" And then
he appends the thoughtful remark: - am
inclined to think that to stop shaking for
the drinks would be in the nature or tramp
ling on mans rights.
Betting at the race track he also regards
as great evil, but he puts his objection to
it on the ground that it is impossible to
beat the bookmakers. AS for poker, he
thinks that is an even game Ii a man can
play with friends and is careful to keep
sharpers away from the table, says the cap
tain, he can manage to keep even, or maybe
get little ahead. Prize fighting the captain
did not regard as bad at all. Limited con-
tests, he Informed the reporter, were not
only right, but highly enjoyable; ana the
reporter says that Immediately upon con-
clusion of the interview supervisor De
lany hurried down town to arrange for
complimentary box with the manager or the
Goddard-Sharkey mill.
Doubtless Captain Delanys hiSn cnaTac-
ter as a man and citizen procured for him
the place Of chairman of the new commit
tee on public morals. Indeed, outWardly
he seems to be all right But we supm MI
that if this interview is the measure OF his
ideas on questions of public morality, ne
entertains opinions which are altogether too
loose to qualify him for the place TO Wnlc IN
us that Captain Delany thinks the test OF
the morality of gambling devices is their
fairness. According to this standard only
brace games of faro, marked cards,
loaded dice, and programmed horse races
are to be barred by the new committee.
We do not suggest that Captain Delany
resien his nosition as chairman of the COM
mittee on public morals, but we trust that
upon reflection he will observe the extreme
propriety of relinquishing the position to
Mr. Britt Mr.. Sheehan, Mr.. Smith, or some
other gentleman who attends church .occa-
sionaliy Captain Delany may attend church
that he pays no attention to the teachings
of his pastor