Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-09-04
nSTOP GAMBLING
INDICT TRUSTS. /"
CHARGE OF JUDGE LUMPKIN TO
FULTON COUNTY GRAND JURY
WAS A NOTABLE ONE.

In a notable charge to the grand Jury of
Fulton county Judge j. II. Lumpkin
Monday brought forward two features,
admonishing the grand jury to take espe-
cial cognizsnce of gambling and also or
such combinations as tended to increase
the natural price of the necessities Of life.
The "gentleman's game" came in for a
heavy scoring, the Judge being particular
" drastic in his charge against all degrees
and kinds of gaming. while the trusts like
wise received a severe denunciation. The
court room was crowded during the deliv-
cry of the charge.
In that part of his charge dealing with
gambling, the court said:
1.-THE law knows no difference In gaming
and gambling The small, game with
friends comes equally under the law.
Would you feel easy If you saw your
bookkeeper or cashier gamble. either in
small game or in a large one2 l charge
you, put yourselves in the place OF the
man who sees this. Would you feel easy
to see your own funds tempered with by
young man in your employ?
"Tust so long as a man CANDLES himself,
he may preach until doCmsday, until age
withers him. but Just as long as ne sets
an example to younger Eaen, Just 50 long
he may expect his cashier and his clerk
to gamble, just so long he may expect MS
son to gamble.
ST say this not only to the grand jury,
but to the community at large, TO the
business men of this city who should be
stamping out this vice. not only Dy pre-
cent but by example. AS long as we nave
gambling, so long may I'VE look TOT oe-
falcation. stealing, escape-perhaps SUI
eide, for this is the end OF the road OF
gambling.
but to stamp it out, to wipe 1t out 10 erau-
icate it,"
Scores the Trusts.
Judge Iumpkin went on to score the
trusts and the market cornerers, and 10
admonish the grand jury to see to II that
the people of Fulton county are not OPP
pressed in this direction.
He began by defining offenses against
the common law of the state in this re-
gard as any illegal interference with tne
markets and with the natural ana Iair
prices of the necessaries of life.
II do not know" said the judge, 'of any
Indictment ever returned by grand jury
of this county on this score, although they
have been charged in this respect before.
He said the act of 1896 to prevent such
combination had fallen through on ac-
count of its seeking to excuse certain
classes of combination, yet, he added, If
the newspaper reports Of the times are
true, we might be said to be in the hands
of combinations that control the cradle
and control the coffin, so that from the
cradle to the grave the American people
are to an extent dominated by these con-
spiracies.
And although" he went on, 1--WE have
no legislation in Georgia sufficiently broad
to cover the matter, still the people are
not entirely at the mercy of those who
would advance the price of the necessa-
ries of life. There is still law enough to
prevent this"
After explaining the principles of COM
mon law on the subject, he continued:
'It is a criminal act to corner the mar
ket on wheat, for instance, in this state
1T Is not fair and legitimate trade to so
manipulate the market as to force upon
the people an unnatural price, for any of
the necessaries of life. Remember, such
an act is equally criminal whether 1t is
done by a citizen of this or of another
state
This part OF the law has fallen out of
view. but If the press reports of the day
are true it is time that this almost for
gotten principle should be remembered
and put into practice.
You cannot deal with the whole coun-
try, gentlemen, but you can see to it that
the criminal laws of thIs state are not
thus violated in Fulton county"