The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-27
HAVE BEEN HEAVILY FINED.
Gamblers Compelled to Pay the
City $4,000 in Two Months.
THEY SPEND MANY THOUSANDS.
Their Salaries Foot Up $4,000 q
Men Not AIIowed-Clafm That the
Games Are Better Conducted Than
Experience With the Gamblers.


This Is a bare recital Of the history Of
gambling IN Seattle for the past several
years.
The gamblers have paid into the city
through the municipal court over $3.50
in fines IN two months. During that time
there has not been row in a gambling
hall or complaint of crooked games
Bank gambling was stopped 10 all
practical purposes a short time before
J. T. Ronald was elected mayor on the
Democratic ticket about six years ago.
While Ronald was in Office there were
two or three houses that ran spasmodi-
DAILY. They kept guards on duty ali the
time. however, and tile sight Of u police
man or detective Was sufficient to cause
the bell to Jingle" and close the game
until danger was past Under the ad-
mInistrations Of MAYOR Phelps. Black and
Wood bank" gambling was held down
with still frmer hand, but in It's place
sprsng UP what may be termed the back
room system" BY this Is meant that
cigar stores some saloons. and even fruit
stands had little rooms where party OF
friends" would congtegate AID play draw
poker. Under the ruling of Judge Gias-
gov the police were compelled To prove
that money was being played for before a
conviction can be secured. II was sell
dom that convictions could be secured,
(, was almost invariably conIended that
the game was simply social seance
among friends. There Is also A doubt as
to poker" coming under the ,lw. because
able lawyers say that IL Is a scientific
game instead Of one OF chance"
December =. 1891. gambling assumed a
different form. The back room games dis
appeared. and In their place appeared the
halls that Rev. W. II. g. Temple visited.
disguised with n cap and the absence OF
his glasses. All the houses that are now
running ala not open AZ that time. About
the first 20 open its doors was the Horse
Shoe. which IS reached from the alley at
the rear OF the Pioneer block. Then came
the Combination" over the Delcho on
YesIer way. and lately the Mullen place
over the Columbus house and the VI & y.
In the Pacific house both on Washington
street. Since then the California Club.
next 20 the Horseshoe. the Standard IN
what used 10 be the old Standard theater,
and Clancy's In the Hoffman house on
Washington street have been added The
Union Club completes the HIST
With the very opening OF the games the
police commenced making arrests and
Judge Austin did the remainder by infiict-
Ing fines that Knocked the profits out OF
several nights play. The first case
brought before him was that OF Peter
Brown. who on December % was nnea 10
On the same day w. a. Kelly was taxed
500. December 20 Charles Williams was
hned sl@ and Charles Reno So. January
John Burke paid into court 800 for the
privilege ana two days later r n Hand
ley was taxed 500. Justice Austin Is no,
,nchned 10 decrease fines, 50 when Bud
MaFSh told him or January II that he
Esu violated The law ha was fined st7E
Ten davs later Dave Argyle squirn1ed
When Judge Austin said that he was rulltv
- worth, J. ~. Kennedy appeared IN
court January . and Il cost him ssoo IN
gold for breaking the law. On January Al
l. u. Brown vas fined S75 ard J "
ho'slngion SIS. John Scott 20, or no
Same day with $50 fine because he Al
moi run so many tables February q Hon
" Long was taxed Se2T SIX dave later
BUG Marsh experienced a second shock
WIN ne was taken iuto court ana onoa
- Inc climax came February 3 when
washington was fined Se5 Dave
grave was touched up for sg-s ana roh,
Scot and l.. II Bsown for SIS ra-t.
The city has been rcAplng an ,srr7,.,4
afNtst since December * and ~ f1,e ems
.Hh" tha merchants restaurants ANA I,..f.
Heep"rH have haa the hennat Of "A fr4,f. 500
.'rii.s ready cash and free expend.tur. FOR
we nest mat the market AFFORDS The
voti.''hed salary list Of the esrlnf.Tg
mouse 81 $500 "a snoath. Outside ~ ne
come IN anu s".'.'47
'"e Esm2.ing houses have made ..tta
money above their actual expenses on
several occasions they have been hit .o-l
,h.N at fsfo. where the only arprcaia-
v.s "dN vantage the bank has - on ''sfIits
~ THIS IS meant that when two cards 90