Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1897-01-28
Chambers Gambling Bill.

OdmOffnX Bill.
Elsewhere in our columns will he
Senator Chambers gambling
bill which is now before the sneate
and which bids fair to become a law
with some slight amendments.
That it was drawn with care and
the purpose of accomplishing
what it's author desires -the sup
preston of the vice of gambling
there can be no doubt to the careful
reader. 1t seems to cover completely
every possible loophole of escape for
To some it may appear too
but a law thatiis to be effec-
tive hardly deserves such criticism,
and it a come from three classes
only, those who want to gamble. the
proprietor of houses, and the peace
officers whose duty it is to see that
the law is enforced.
1t is not necessary to refer here to
section in detail, but some of
them, should the bill become a law,
could well bear constant repetition
that the excuses heretofore Offered
for non-enforcement may fall fiat
upon the public ear. 1t will be seen
that the duties of peace officers are
clearly defined. Sheriff, county at
torney, constable or police officer,
"'musti inform against and makecom-
plant and diligently prosecute per-
sons whom they may be informed
concerning or whom THEY HAVE REA-
soNABLE TO BELIEVE offenders
against the provisions of this act"
And the officer ~neglecting to do his
duty is guilty of a ~misdemeanor and
failure.
Too often citizens have heard the
feeble cry, make complaint, il you
want the parties prosecuted" it SIM
bility on the part of officers, who
may possibly have a future election
in view. Under this bill no such obi
CATION rests upon the citizen alone.
1t is the duty of the officers to see
that the law is enforced and make
arrests il he has reason to believe
that the law is being violated, and
the peace officer who does his duty
has better and opportunity
for knowing the facts than a citizen
who is following a civil vocation.
These provisions should prevent
"winking'' or looking through a
glass darkly" at any infraction O,
the law.
Another good provision is, that
owners of buildings are held respon.
sible, under heavy penalties, for rent
ing such property for the purpose oi
gambling, al is also the provision
for the destruction of all the nipple.
ments, Instruments and devices used
in gambling. This has been done in
large cities or many years. The
smooth artists should be deprived oi
their tools.
The measure as a whole is good
and strong and should not be weak.
ened by amendments.
Montana is now the only state in
the Union where gambling is not
prohibited by law and there should
be no delay in completing the work
begun two years ago and only
| checked by an error i'm drafting the
bill. Fergus county has got along
for the past eight months without
any revenue from this source, with
games in full blast, and a prebab'
ly survive as well in the future with
them suppressed.
Montana a no longer afford &c
compromise her good name. She
cannot continue in partnership with
vice for the mere purpose of raising
revenue. OF course some will say
that it will not prevent gambling
but they cannot truthfully say thai
it will not check and restrict it. Sucl
is the purpose of all laws. No law
absolutely prevents crime or tn,
evils aimed at, or at least the in
stances are rare where il does. TIC
restrain and make hazardous In tn,
object of many laws i'm our statuts
books. If mankind were SO nearly
pefect that the mere passage of a law
would make one obedient there would
be no necessity for laws.
The man who has a license to dc
a thing is lacking i'm sagacity, energy
and enterprise if he does not carry
on his vocation to the limit. II il
is finally classed as u crime and pro
hibited by law, and IL the man is moi
lost to all self respect he will obey it,
mandates. At least fear of prosecu
ton and the penalties imposed i'm cas-,
of conviction will make him cautious
Open gambling is an invitation t.
the young and old and made respect
able, In n measure. by law. Secret
and unlawful gambling only invite,
the more adventurous and expert
enced. who are hardened In evil-doins
and usually beyond hope of restoring
to a life of usefulness But both car
be suppressed almost entirely II tn,
law is not defective and officers dc
their duty. The only amendment We
would suggest liz that the law take
effect upon its passage instead o.
July LIST.