The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-25
Superior Court Comes Into the
War on Gambling.
ASKS AID OF MAYOR HUmEs.
Interesting Sequel TO Raid of Fri
day-Ten Drny Loads of Gambling
ParaphernnIin Removed to the
COMMUNICATIONS Allowed to
REV. l.. j. Sawyer Foots Bilis.

Another important factor became appar-
ent yesterday IN the fight that is being
waged on open gambling IN Seattle.
Judge Benson, OF the superior court, de-
spite the fact that the proceedings
against the gamblers have not yet been
carried into his Jurisdiction, yesterday
morning requested Mayor Humes TO see
that proper protection was furnished
Constable Nelson In serving and execut-
ing search warrants for the seizure OF all
gambling tools. His appearance on the
battlefield was a complete surprise 10 all
parties interested
At an early hour yesterday morning
Constable Nelson began tho work of re-
moving the gambling furniture seized
Friday 10 the basement of the court
house With two big drays he went TO
the Standard gambling house, intending
TO remove the furniture there, one OF
the proprietors OF the house was there
before him and strongly demurred to the
proposed removal.
Justice OF the Peace Austin, out Of
whose court the warrants were issued;
had not yet come down town, and could
not be reached by telephone. At this
5uncture one of Nelson's assistants called
SP Judge Benson by telephone e. and ns, tod
to allow the property to be removed.
Judge benson on the scene.
Judge Benson was not slow TO respond
70 the call Boarding car he came down
town. and calling, on Mayor Humes. told
would DO made to resist the process of the
Justice court. He demanded that ade-
auate police protection be furnished the
sence OF Chief OF Police Reed detailed
Capt, Willard TO go to the Standard and
see that trouble was averted.
Then Judge Benson visited Justice
Austins court and demanded to know
whether the latter had consented that the
gambling tools at the Standard house
might be allowed to remain where they
we're. Justice Austin promptly and en-
phaticaily denied that any such arrange
ment had been made with him.
When questioned yesterday as TO his
reasons for taking hand in the matter,
Judge Benson said:
From Information received / was
convinced that an effort was 10 be made
TO resist the process OF the court. |
felt II incumbent on myself to prevent
the shedding OF blood and to see to It that
Friday, when the arrests were made It
was rumored that Judge Benson had re-
auested Justice Austin to issue the war
rants. Justice Austin refused to state
whether or not this IL true, and Judge
Benson, when asked about It yesterday.
fatty denied II.
ibid you know that the warrants we're
TO be issuedf' he was asked.
"Only In n general way" was the re-
ply. For some time past l have been
approached by persons who desired to
close gambling, and who wished to do so
through the superior court. but | made
no request to Justice Austin In the mat
Ten big dray loads of gambling tables
and other paraphsrnalia were removed
from the Union, California and Standard
houses yesterday. The work was done
under tho direction of Constable Nelson,
who had seven men sworn In as deputies
The money seized by the officers In the
three houses was left In the safes under
guard. In the Standard house both Con-
stable Nelson and the proprietors placed
gamblers preliminary examination has
not been fixed.
MIR. sawyer Foots the nils.
Much curiosity was expressed yester-
day as TO who was paying the expenses
Nelson Is not a salaried officer. and per-
Forms services only when his fees are paid
Y advance. An investigation diseloses
me Tact that Rev. l.. J. Sawyer. pastor
OF the North Seattle Baptist church, and
prominent figure in. the Antl-saloon
20 pay him and hts assistants for the
services which they have rendered
IL IL generally understood that Mr.
Sawyer represents members OF the Y. NJ.
agreed To furnish tho money for the
prosecutions IL Is said that the heaviest
contributor to the pool Ia n y I.ippy
the millionaire klondiker, and a promi,
nsnt Y. NJ G. A. man.
The gamblers assert. however. that
considerable to do With the closing Of
EambinE, the most active wire puler ia
y n Kennedy. the gambler who was
dental avenue about ten days ago At
tosney Junius Rochester, who acted FOR
Assistant Secretary Meade. OF the Y M
G, a, when the warrants were sworn out
tacitlN admitted 90 post-Inteiligrnccr
reported that VIII H. Morris, Gambler
kenncdy's attorney, had been consulted
Win prior 60 the drawing ny OF the com
plants against tho gamblers. Kennedy H.
runudly denounced by members OF Trio
sPorhnE fraternity. who look upon him as
the cause 81 their troubles
judge AaEtin's alleged interference In
TIE thrce~coruerod fight between me
SuelrolinS factions ~ The gamblers and
the y. NJ. G. a. may have cnnaiierahlo IN
nucnee on the subsequent proceedings
against INC gambling house Keepers an
rvstei Friday Tho lattor. n - hintrt
will make an EFFORT 60 obtain a change az
venue from Judge flenspn $ court ir rase
they are held TO answer before The sape-
rtnr court
They claim that ny showing such a 1--we.
y interest IA the matter before n ur,a
within tire jurisdiction ~ hIH courg Jutw,
benson has proven Mnisolf prefttire,l and
Unahlo 60 give them fair trial