The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-12
FIGHT AGAINST
SLOT MACHINES.
Argument as to Their Legality Before
Judge Witt.
Mr.. RICHARDSON'S STRONG PLEA
lie COntendcd That They arc Gam
bling Device More Pernicious Than
Faro or Roulette-Matter Taken
Under Consideration.
Mr.. RICHARDSON'S STRONG PLEA

Judge g. b. Witt, Of the Hastings Court.
heard elaborate argument yesterday al
tern0on as 90 the legality OF The nickel
in-the-sl0t MACHINES and then took The
matter under Amusement
The argument lu question was on mo-
tion ia tac case of T. AOrreAa, charged
with conducting a gambling device known
as q nickcl-ln-thc slot machine a num-
Der of porsons were on hand 90 hear the
proceedings, among them, Police Justice
John J. Crutcblcid.
Mowclla. the prisoner. was arrested
some time ago on this charge, and ar
Tal8ned in tho Police Court The case az
that time was argued al great length by
counsel Tor the prisoner and One Com.
mon"calths Attorney. the former claim
ins that the defendant had % right 90
conduct his slot machine under act ,oc
The last Legislature. while the latter cOn-
tended that The act OF Legislature in
question did not contemplate licensing q
gambling device. but simply machines
from which were procured chewing gum,
candy. and articles OF that Kind,
Justice Crutchfeid held The same view
ss the Commonwealth Attorney and
imposed punishment upon Morrelia.
from which an appeal was taken TO the
f' case.
When the matter came up Yesterday m
ternoon motion 90 quasi was made ny
SIR. g.. So Meredith. one OF counsel FOR
fae prisoner pcndine argument on this
motion. which it was evident would be
prolonged. tho jury was discharge un-
IN III o'clock this morning.
Mr. Smith opened the argument foi
N0rrella. and cited authorities protusely
in support a. mis- contention which was
that tho machine in question IS "a wheel
cf fortune operated on tho nickel-in-
fho-sl0t plan. which had been expressly
licensed by act Of the last Legislature.
MOST pERNlClOUs GAMBLING
Commemorative Attorney j. O. Rich
arIs0u next spoke. Ho said that the
case under discussion was one OF the
utmost importance 10 The people of
Richmond a species Of most pernicious
gambling had been carried ON here
gambling beside which faro and rou-
lrtte sink into utter insiguihcance. Not
only men had taken part in this most
pernicious business. but women and lite
te children. 90 their utter demOraliZa-
ton.
Mr.. Richardson then went on 10 hold
that the -.n-fhc-slot machine was
lottery and chat as such 10 ga not
come under the recent act OF the Legs
lu.ure. Tic cited number Of authorities
t0 sustain him iu his contention
Alr Richardson held that the Lcgisla-
ture iu its enactment only intended TO-
license automatic slot machines used for
selling merchandise, such as candy.
cigars and other things These ma
chimes were, he said, already iu opera
ZION in opposition TO tho legitimate
merchant and the legislature simply de-
nrcd TO- get some revenue from -hem.
fe held n conclusion, chat the statute.
which had been on the books for years
for the conservation of morality. had not
been repealed by tho Legislature by inn
nlc1ton under the rulse Of a revenue
law. and Furthermore chat the Icgisia-
tgre could not have repealed itAhad it
wished TO-
lIr c. ~ MEREDITH for the defendant
followed Mr. Richardson in strong plea
f1r fhe legality OF tho machines. and at
The conclusion of his remarks Judge witt
took the matter under Amusement
IT, SIS possible that Judgc Witt may rem
der decision n the case This morning,
bret not likely as De has many authori-
ties cited to- refer TO.
CREERYs CASE
W. J. Crcery. charged with breaking
into The store of Shore e CO.. and steal
ing number OF articles. wa.t,given six
months n laI and hncd one cent ycstor-
Gay morning
Crlery was defended by Capt. A. B.
Gulgon. 10 was brought ont that the
prisoner was addicted to the morphine
habit and hia counsel, asked chat justice
BOO tempered With mercy. and chat ho
be sent 80 iau ion 81 certain time in
order fnnf an nftImuf might be made