The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-12-14
LAW AND ORDER LEAGUE
SEMI-41NNUAL MEETING HELD
 HERE YESTERDAY.

Tho Lengue's Aims and Projected Work Features of the Report of Secretary Thrasher--G and Immoral Ploces-103 Cases Brought In the Last Six Months-Oniy One Acquittal.
 A regular meeting of the board of di- rectors of the Law and Order league was held in the league headquarters in the Benedict building yesterday after noon. Of those present were President George Austin of Woodstock, Vice Pres ident Rufus D. Holmes of Winsted, Secretary s. P. Thrasher, Treasurer Pierce N. Welch and George s. Palmer of Norwich.
 The semi-annual reports of the secre- tary and treasurer were made and ap- proved. Future plans were discussed. The league proposes to be prepared for any attempts that the enemy may make to cripple the work of the league. It is thought that an effort will be made to have bill passed by the legislature which will change the laws in respect to the working of the league. The league proposes to prosecute their work with much vigor and energy.
 In his report, Secretary Thrasher makes a detailed statement of some of the more important events in which the league has been conspicuous. He speaks of the work of the league in Chester West Haven, Woodmont, Mea6ouy's Ind and in IJp also says:
 Again, it has come to be recognized that the law enforcing machinery of the state is effectively alert wherever the Law and Order league is active. Well intentioned and efficient officials wei come the assistance which we give, while the corrupt and inefficient have wholesome fear of the expose which naturally follows any specific work on our part So 1t is that no report, how ever explicit, can properly or fully set forth the worth of this organization to the people of this state, or to the state, as such.
 "A most pernicious form of gambling has sprung up in this state during the past few years. It is carried on by means of slot machines. The machines are expensive and intricate in mechan- ism, and are so constructed as to be en- ticing to the player and profitable to the keeper. Their possession is clearly an offense under the statutes. Tn many places their owners have been success fully prosecuted and the machines de- stroyed. Thirteen were destroyed by the New Haven police department a short time ago.
 We have been the means of causing the disuse of fourteen large machines during the period covered by this re- port.
 Our agents have investigated one hundred and twenty-two places at the request of citizens and officials One hundred and three complaints have been issued at the instance of the league. Twenty-Five raids have been made, resulting in the seizure of nearly nine hundred gallons of liquors, which have been destroyed as the law directs The offenders have paid five thousand, five hundred and fifteen dollars in fines and forfeited bonds.
 Tt may be remarked with 1epree of satisfaction, that of the one hundred and three cases brought into court at the instance of the league during the period covered by this report, only one has resulted in acquittal. We have operated in nineteen different towns, and in nearly every instance have been successful in accomplishing the desired results.
 Tn view of the foregoing record for so short time it would seem that we have not yet reached point where we can in any way relax our vigilance or energetic efforts in behalf of law en- forcement. We owe it to our constit- uents that we be not weary in we'll being."