The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-16
GREEN CLOTH AND BLACK.
REV. ARTHUR }. SMITHS TOUR OF
THE GAMBLING ROOMS.


Accompanied by IA Laymnn, He Wis
tied Some of the Places and the
Keno Rooms AIsO-In the Latter He
Watched the Playful EXECUTIONS
of the nnII of Chance-The Visit
Caused Conformation in the Ranks
of the Gamblers and Their Allies.
Rev. Mr.. smiths Tour Evidence OF
the Determined Fight the Preach
ers Seem Prepared TO Make.
Rev. Arthur ]. Smith, pastor Of the First
Presbyterian Church, visited number of
the gambling rooms on the principal
streets of the city night or two ago and
satisfied himself Of the manner in which
they were conducted and of the persons
by whom they are frequented. on his
tour Of inspection Rev. Mr.. Smith was ac-
companied by a layman.
Among the gamblers and their allies the
visit of The minister was the talk of the
town yesterday. They foregathered on the
corners and discussed the situation, and
many and various were the comments
they offered and the opinions they hazard
There was profanity dark and dour and
curses deep and profound, even amaze,
in some instances, that a minister of the
Gospel would enter a temple of Dea For
tuna and watch the devotions of the wor-
shippers of the tickle goddess. Many of
the gamblers, though, took the matter in
entire good part. and with the philosophy
al hat all ~, In
the end. They were consoled by the fact
tnat they had passed through other spas
modic ebullitions of public virtue, without
being materially harmed, and appeared to
ascribe to the present movement the same
cause and the same duration.
These philosophers took pleasure in re-
membering that they had been for a long
time engaged in business in Savannah,
without much worse fortune than the ne
cessity of having to pay a yearly fine, and
sagely wagging their heads, promised
themselves and their younger and less
sangune brethren of the green cloth that
it would be a cool day in the middle of
hot summer, when they were found doing
anything else in Savannah or the same
thing anywhere else. They entertain mark
ed objections to both of these happenings,
though they regard them as totally i'm
probable and beyond the decree of that
chance they ali acknowledge and serve
When asked about the trip Rev. Mr.
Smith expressed desire not 10 discuss
the question nor to say what animated him
in making the visits to the gambling
houses. He did say, though, that his tour
of inspection had been quite thorough and
that a number Of the places of the better
class had been visited. He also took
passing peep at several OF the keno rooms
and watched the throng by which these
places are nightly pattOnized. Mr.. Smith,
after some urging, slated that his visit
was ANNA ed 10 some extent by state
ment in an interview with Mayor Myers,
in which the Mayor was quoted as having
said that he did not know of his own
knowledge of the existence of a single
gambling room in Savannah Mr.. Smith
desired TO sound the extent and depth of
the Mayors acquaintance with local con-
ditons and the local evil and he says that
he is thoroughly satisfied that he has
done so.
The results of che investigation viii be
made the subject of one of Mr.. Smiths
Sunday evening sermons, possibly that he
will preach tomorrow evening. With the
data he has secured he will be able to
speak as one having authority, and be GER
tain that he will make no statement that
the facts will not bear out. His action is
evidence that among the preachers of the
city there is a concerted movement for
the suppression of gambling, with which
the more active of their number are al
lied and closely identified. That they will
fight the matter TO the finish there seems
no reason to doubt, and there will be signs
of the fray when they have concluded.
The CONSERVATION produced among the
gamblers by the visit of the preacher had
it's amusing side also. To the casual OBJ
server it was interesting to watch 10 whom
they went with their troubles and how
amicab.y the lion and the lamb ley down
together. The metaphor is not altogether
appropriate, but IL comes as close as needs
be to expressing what is meant. On each
of the corners on Bull street, from the
south side of Congress to the north side
of Broughton, and AT several of the in.
termediate stopping points were gathered
little knots of men. who discussed this lat
est development of the gambling situation
with no uncertain interest. And doubt
less all of them received good advice.
Many of them looked as though they need
ed il.