The San Francisco call., 1899-03-12

ton Of the proposed law. The measure
will never come from the committee in
a form that will be practically bene-
fetal.
The gamblers will argue that the pro-
posed ordinance is too sweeping; that
it destroys a sport which should, on
/ legitimate lines, be encouraged. The
race track schemers will tell the Board
of Supervisors that a restriction of the
racing season will be accepted, and that
the authorities of the city may limit
the racing season 10 sixty days or even
to thirty days If necessary. Any sub
stitute will be a welcome alternative to
the proposed ordinance of prohibition.
The gamblers and their paid bribers
will tell the members Of the board that
innocent people, who live upon the race
track, will lose their income if book
making and convict-making are stopped
in the city. It will be urged that the
racecourse gives a living to many peo-
pie and distress will come if the book
making and gambling privileges of the
track are abolished. Restriction and
not abolition will be the plea Of the
blacklegs of Ingleside.
Members of the board have already
heard this plea. The argument has been
certain Supervisors demand a modifi-
cation Of the proposed law. The gam
blers are far too crafty to ask anything
more. The indignation of the people
Of the city is far too thorough to per
nit now anything else than a remedy
for the evil. The Supervisors know that
Buckley has been called into a brief
evil existence to aid the gamblers, and
J - O. ,-I-- 4
his influence. Members Of the Board
of Supervisors know all this and un-
derstand perfectly that any plea, made
under no matter what guise Of respect
ability, is simply the plea for dis
credited cause.
Supervisor Perrault stated the situa-
ton very clearly yesterday. I'VE must
destroy gambling on horse races in
this city" he said. I'VE passed to print
a prohibiting ordinance, and have
confidence that my associates in the
board will make their resolution a law.
We are on record before the public. We
have already registered our votes, and
any change will mean something do
not care to discuss. If we determine
to modify the resolution or take any
action less effective than that already
registered I believe that, to complete
the farce and accept our true position,
we ought to hold the session of the
board at Livermore."
| Supervisor Perrault's summary of
the situation tells the story of the dis
honest efforts that are being made TO
defeat the adoption of the new ordi-
nance. While the Supervisors have
been cOaxed, cajoled and threatened by
the gamblers the members Of the board
have been encouraged and supported
by the hearty Endorsement of the de-
cent people Of the city. Organized labor
has expressed it's unqualified approval
of the proposed law, because race
horse gambling and it's associated
crimes have worked terrible injury to
men and women who know the value
Of money we'll earned.
The press has praised the Supervisors
for their determined stand because the
| people of the press know thoroughly
the devastating influence of the racing
gamblers. Clergymen of every denom-
ination are as one voice in praising the
majority members of the board because
/ clergymen know the secret tragedies
Of wrecked homes, destroyed by the al
lurements and temptations Of IngIeside.
Merchants and business men have bat
tied for the victory which the Super
visors have won for the city because
the records of the Morgue and of the
State Penitentiary tell what business
men have suffered in the license of the
gamblers of the race course.
These influences, the best in the city,
are in earnest support Of the Super
visors, and tomorrow thousands will
be waiting to know how the vote for
the destruction of a great evil was
taken In obedience to public duty
The Call has secured again from every
member of the Board of Supervisors an
expression of opinion on the great ques-
ton of the day. In what follows is
given these opinions. 1t is a matter of
regret that the members Of the board
are not a unit, but the reason perhaps
may not be misunderstood.