The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-14

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tn HE people of San Francisco have
won their battle against the cor
rupting, degrading, criminal ex-
istence of the bookmakers and
booksellers. The Supervisors have
honored themselves as the official rep
resentatives OF the moral elements OF
the city and have made gambling on
horseracing and coUrsing in this city
and county a criminal Offense. Mayor
Phelan has signed the new ordinance,
and with his signature has made the
law operative. Any boOkmaker that
accepts a wager atIngleside to-day will
be arrested, fined or imprisoned. or both
fined and imprisoned for his violation
OF the law. Any poolseller that plies
his vicious trade viii be sought out and
punished. The people Of San Francisco
have won a splendid triumph over
gigantic evil, whose devastating power
grew greater as the years passed.
The victory is one achieved by many
forces organized for common
cause. The warning words of
clergymen were heard in a score
of pulpits on Sunday night. The
warning was heedsd. and those that
spoke have now the knowledge of sue
cess well wc2 in q worthy cause. Mer-
chants contributed their solemn plea
for themselves ard for those il their
service. Workingmen spoke for their
families and. their homes. The police
added the terrible story Of their eXpe-
rience with the evils of the race course
ard convict cells gave their testimCnYof Of
dread 10 aTraigr the cU-seCf the course
The Call recorded the daily tragedies
of wrecked lives ard ruined homes, the
pitiable trophies Of the gamblers Of the
track With a common impulse these
factors com bined their fo-ce of pleading
for redress, and the Supervisors an
swered with the law that win rid the
city Of the spavv- Of h,ackleEs that with
their presence brought deflement to
lives and homes.
The scene n the chamber of the
Board Of Supervisors yesterday after
noon was an impressive one. Clergy
men. merchants. wo-ktngmen, repre-
sentatives ot the best elements Of the
city. were there % lend the dignity
and the encours cement of their pres
ence. The shabby followers of the
race course were there too in eager
curiosity to learn the fate Of their
masters. Supervisor Perrault to
whom so much is due for the enact
ment of the new law, asked a suspen-
sion of the rules and an immediate
consideration of the ordinance against
bookmaking and pool selling. The re-
quest was heartily granted and Super
visor Perrault called for a vote on final
adoption.
There was a critical moment of hesi-
fancy, and then a gentleman sitting
near Supervisor Holland arose and
asked to be heard. He was Green, the
secretary Of Ingleside. Before he
spoke the Supervisors decided that
speeches must be limited to a few
minutes This decision was unneces-
sary. although Supervisor Holland de-
cIared that he needed light. Mr.. Green
spoke briefly and painfully. He wanted
what The Call predicted he would want
delay. He said that great property
interests were involved at Ingleside,
that much money was invested there
and that many people earned their
daily bread in their service to the
track.
Mr.. Green declared, with absolute
truth, that he was a poor pIeader and
yisors ought to postpone action until
the president of the Pacific Coast
Jockey Club, ex-State Senator Androus,
could be heard. Mr.. Androus, so the
secretary said. was unavoidably out Of
town.
But" interjected Supervisor Per-
rault, doesn't Sam Rainey look after
the interests of the association in the
absence Of the PRESIDENT"
Il don't know about that" was the
reply.
wen. I do" said Supervisor Per-
rault, and that ended the discussion.
AS a matter of fact Mr.. Androus was
out of town. He went away, he said,
to think, and it is believed that he is
thinking yet. While he was away Sam
Rainey and Phil Crimmins we're also
thinking in a prominent Market street
resort. They were thinking of new
era in municipal politics and Of the
dawn Of decency in public affairs.
When Secretary Green concluded his
talk to the members of the board there
was again an awkward silence. 1t was
thought that the gamblers would fight
more stubbornly. But no one spoke Tor
the giant evil and the vote of the Su-
perVisors was called and taken.
Absolute silence fell upon the great
crowd in the meeting chamber as Su-
perYisor Holland, the first called, arose
TO explain his vote When he voted aye
there was a murmur of qualification.
Supervisor Kalben asked to be ex-
cused- He said he did not dare offend
the friends or the enemies of the gam
piers by voting either way. He was
excused. Supervisor Black voted no.
After that was a series of eight votes
IN favor Of the law and adoption was a !
certainty. The Supervisors had vindi-