The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-25
FIGHT AGAINST
SLOT MACHINES.
important Case to Be Decided by
Justice Crutchfeld.
HUNDREDS ARE IN USE HERE.
HUNDREDS ARE IN USE HERR
Common wealth's Attorney Richardson
SAYS He is Convinced the Law Is
Being Violated i'm Reference TO
Machines-COpyo Of the Law.

When the Legislature OF Virginia pass
ed Jaw allowing siot-machines 20 be
licensed II did not foresee TO what an
extent this law could be stretched. Nor
did they know how il might be distorted
by parties for their own gain to the eX-
pcnse Of thOughtless individuals.
In place of the musical chewing gum
and candy machines and other Of Ike
nature. came the owl, the number and
the color machines, all IDEAL games OF
chance.
CHANCE AGAINST HIM.
The chance is against the player lie
wins occasionally but this winning only
eggs him on to further attempts TO get
something for nothing. inevitably result
ing in breaking him.
These machines have sprung up ike
weeds and they have hourished like Moth
ing Of the kind ever did before. The
policy men and the gamblers in other
lines Of this business are indignant be-
cause the slot-machines not only absorb
the money of those who do not make a
practice OF gambling in other ways. but
IT. takes away much OF their profit from
the confirmed gamblers
WOMEN AND CHILDREN PLAY THEN
Even women and children drop their
money into the jaws Of these automatic
devices and with it goes the price of food
and clothing Children have been known
TO take the money given them by their
parents TO give 20 their Sunday-schOol
teachers and play the slot machines.
Women out shopping have been known
10 go into the confectioneries where these
devices are exhibited and place their
money IN them
Young men with small salaries throw
away large portions OF their earnings on
the slot machines, and the man who has
come out ahead OF the machine is stiI
unheard Of. if he has played with regu-
larity
OWNS FOURTEEN MACHINES.
One prominent salOOn-keeper operates
fourteen machines in different sections
OF the city His agent makes collections
from these machines once i'm two days
Looking over his returns at random he
places the total amount for the two days
ending September 18th, at $3.50. from the
fourteen machines. The largest amount
from one machine was SLIGO. the smallest
S215. and there were four with nothing
IN them.
This party employs an electrician at
SIS a week, whose business il IS 20 keep
the machines in order, and two collectors
al $50 week each.
right or they can be rented. The largo
number i'm use I'm Richmond are said to
be controlled and operated by three or
four men.
SEVERAL HUNDRED HERE.
The total amount of license fees on
each machine for year amounts 90
Sl325. and there are several hundred IN
use i'm Richmond.
These who run these machines now are
not taking in as much profit ass they dld
several months ago. when the machines
were few. but the th0ughtless citizens
are losing more because of the more FREE
qucnt temptation TO- risk their nicEcis.
on the 9th instant "a case viii Doe tried
I'm the Police Court ass "a test and Conn
monwealths Attorney Richardson, VINO
will act for The Commonwealth, saws be
is satisfied the running Of the machines
is contrary 90 law.
CLAIM IT is LEGAL.
on the other hand the attorneys for
the machine men VINO are eminent prac,
tiloncrs declare that the law allows the
fuuniLC of the machines.
The result Of this legal contest viii be
watched by thousands of mothers and
fathers whose sons have thrown away
their earnings upon the slot machines,
and many wives who have suffered be-
cause of the weakness of their husbands.
viii offer fervent prayers for the success
Of those who are fighting the machines.
Section 3Sl5 of the Code. under which
the fight against The s.ot-machines is 90
lc made. reads as follows:
LAW or THE SUBJECT.
"lf any person keep or exhibit gam-
fns table commonly called a. b. c., or y.
o table. faro bank wheel of fortune,
keno table. or table ~ the Ike kind. un-
Ger amy denomination whether the game
or table Doe played with cards. dice or
otherwise. or Dee a partner or concerned in
interest I'm The Keeping or exhibiting such
tcble or bank DE shall Doe confined in
jail not less than TWO nor more than
twelve months. and fned not less thau
500 nor more than $1,000 ANY such table.
caro- bank. or wheel of fortune and aI
the money stakes or exhibits to allure
persons Co bet at such table. bank or
wheel. may Doe seized hy order OF % court
o." under warrant of "a Justice. and tne
money so seized shall De forfeited once
half 90 the person making the seizure ana
sine other half TO the commonwealth ANA
the table and faro bank shall De burnt