Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-23
MUST PROBE DEEPER.
BAPTIST MINISTER'S ASK rSvnsrr-
eArloS OF OFFICIALS, nEconps.
AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBLE.
''ehamefnr State OF Things. Brought
to Light. Say the clcrrrm.r
"Feast of Gamblers Blot ON ,ae
Fair Name OF the Communities.

Steieas morning the gambling cases
which have recently held the attention of
the people cf Richmond, were discussed
at length, after which resolutions we,e
adopted commencing Officer WYATT and
some OF the police force and condem-
ming the police authorities for NEGLIGENCE
In allowing the gambling houses 10 h.,a
ever been, or to have gone on, as long as
shey have
a thorough investigation is demanded In
me name CT the people. and the feastinp
ol 'he convicted gamblers in jail is de-
. .s,-,.'e ne resolutions end with a
commentator of the papers for the
course they took
ne discussion OF the matter in the
oiheFence was opened by Rev. Or
chaTies S Gardner. and was particinated
IN by nearly all the members present in
I1aaths Dr. " r. L. Smith, DR.. ]. B.
zones, and Joel T. Tucker.
TEXT OF RESOLUTIONS
me resolutions. which were given Ia
sie press last evening" are as follows.
we nave observed with the keenest in,
.erest ard solicitude the recent develon-
and slS Sa IN In the police circles of our city,
VIC. wee OF some of the police force u,,de,.
NE courageous and effective leadership
, ~ .aF: wait in bringing to light the
k!oiaUon OF the law by. numerous pan
bling establishments SIN
II has been demonstrated beyond all
b v Il .. that this vice. forbidden
aad 1t has been made apparent thar the
police authorities might have Known #
ta bH Sin not the places where these es
names OF the Offenders. It has also been
eGeariy shown that it was entirely prac
s .,ca2ie Tor them to secure sufficient legal
p t;oa T 1S prlng the guilty persons to JUS
mere is also the most convincing
evidence that on account Of the nesli.
gence Or inconpetency of those in au-
lnority on the police force this unlawful
practice has prevailed for an INDEFINITE
fength of time without moIestation:
therefore, resolved
l. Ihat in view Of the facts disclosed.
Hllch are so shocking to the moral senti-
ment OF the community and so full Of
oiSnonor TO our city, we express the
solemn conviction that a proper resuacf
Tor law and good morals yea, for public
uecency. demands that an impartial and
laoroGsh Investigation be made into the
olnclal character and record of the police
authoritles. on whom rests the RESPONSE
bility for this shameful state Of things;
and that the persons found to be incon1-
petent or cuipable be removed from
Office.
2, That this disclosure of facts as to
gambling gives rise to serious suspicious
equally negligent or culpable in failing
TO enforce the law against other social
tf1ces OF the sraTest character. The pub
lie have the right to rest in the assn
rance that the laws prohibiting vice
will be enforced with fidelity and reason
abie effectiveness, and we demand that
2nly such men as can inspire this con-
fidence be place in the official position
in the police force.
;. We declare that the feasting OF the
convicted gamblers in the jail was de-
fance of the spirit of the law which was
disagreeable and was a Blot upon the
fair name of this community, but was a
hitting sequel to the long and ineXcusable
inacton of those whose duty it was to
enforce the law.
4. That we find great pleasure in com
mending the papers of our city for tn.
strong and vigorous manner in which
they have had the fight for law and or
der, and that We assure. them OF our
readiness to stand with them in the con-
tinuation Of the battle. and we do, fur
Richmond to identify themselves with
the noble struggle which our city Jour
asfs have begun in behalf of the honor
and virtue of our community.
The Rev II. A. Basby. D. D.. pastor of
Calvary Baptist church. took occasion
in his morning sermon Sunday to COM
nlent on the needs Of :he city police de- |
partment, and in doing SO said that what
the city most needed was a competent |
chief of police, and unilnpeachable cap
tains in or two districts in the city.
Or. Bagby reviewed to some eS-
tent what has been done in the gambling
raids and said:
The transactions OF the past few |
weeks clearly demonstrates to the minds |
of all good people that what the city |
most needs is competent chief of po- |
lice and unimpeachable captains in one |
or two districts
We need this declared the doctor. |
cor the good work Mr.. Wyatt has ac- |
complished will come TO naught.'