Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-21
TO BE "wiDE oPEN?"

II Is not the water question just now
although that Is but temporarily set
Ted 1t Is q question OF morality ana
social order. The indications are very
strong that the design Is to make this
what is known as "A wide open town.
Some efforts have been put forth TO
suppress the Sunday liquor traffic. A
few arrests have been made, and some
saloons make a little pretense Of sun
day closing. But 1t is understood that
business Is conducted at the "old
stands" nevertheless, and but o very
few establishments comply with the
law. So much for that part of the SUBJ
ject. 1t has been agtated for long
time and is likely to be discussed In the
future, for the people OF this city VIII
see to II that their demands are COM
piled wish.
II was supposed that genuine endeay-
ors TO close the gambling-houses were
being put forth by the police, under
the direction Of the Mayor 1t appears
now, however. that they were but a
passing show TO lull the public into
quiescence. The system has been
revived which requires the
proprietors Of gambling dens TO come
forward, every month, and pay tribute
into the city Golfers. The understand
Ing seems TO be that no arrests need be
made, The yi0lators of the city ordi-
nance a. simply invited to step up and
deposit certain amount, according 70
the magnitude OF their business"
Their names are called In the city court
next day, and the sums paid In are de.
clared forfeited as ball. The same
tactics are used In reference to houses
Of ill-fame. Their keepers deposit their
"ball" which Is declared forfeit, and
no appearance in court or actual ar
rest IL needed. Up to date. during the
present month, the gamblers have paid
into the city treasury $1,000, and the
women alluded to $40.
Il is stated, openly, that the Mayor
fayors this procedure under the plea
that the city needs the money, and that |
this is the best way of regulating these |
necessary evils" The Chief Of Police
appears 10 be In the same mind II
this Is true, we may look for a full re-
turn TO the open encouragement OF
vices that the majority of our citizens
desire to suppress, II possible, and II
not to restrain within the closest linn
It's. That they can be restricted and
reduced to minimum has been dem
onstrated many times In the history of
this municipality
About two months ago the Deseret
News congratulated Salt Lake City on
the announcement made by Chief Paul,
which was issued June 22nd. that gam
bling houses must be closed. But this
paper drew attention on June 2Srd TO
the language OF that officer when inter-
viewed concerning his intentions, which
was as follows:
"This order is that all gambling
houses must close and stay closed-tO-
night. tomorrow night and for some
time to come. This Is my order, and
FOR THE PRESENT it must be
obeyed."
This would imply that the order is
sued by the chief was but for the time
being. That officer is at least consistent
with himself, II not with the ordinances
OF the city We stated them "The
Chief had better make his order perma-
nent. II he win do so. he will find that
he will be sustained by the great ma
jonty Of citizens, OF all creeds and
parties"
The question 10 be decided by the
public is. shall this system, which Is
simply license for gambling and prosti-
tuition under disguise. be permitted to
continue, or shall the city ordinances
relating TO these matters be enforced
Let us have no humbug about IL. II
these vices are TO be placed under the
q the city authorities for
fixed monthly sum, in order to supply
needed feysnpc, let II be so understood
and procnimed Repeal the ordinances
against them and fix the amount Of tue
license AID do not make any pretersa
about "bailH
" that is not to be the policy. let
Inc Law prevail Arrest those who vlo-
late aud defy IT, Let their fines or inn
pslsomneut be seau'ne, Execute the I
ordinance against gambling, upon the
pFoprletors Of the large and elegant
'aunif as we'll az upon the smaller and
ess pretenuous dens. II Is stated by
esnonsible persons that the richer gam v
1lers have been permitted TO carry on 2
heir games ri.ht along without OBJ :
Itruction. while the poorer and lower 4
.lasses have keen closed out, We do n
lot know whether this Is true or not.
&c DO know that II Il Is sincerely y
he purpose OF the executive DEPART ?
men, 10 suppress gambling houses the
work csn be done Make the arrests =
'enuine. Ecpgat them as Often as nee
'ssary 10 suppress the evn, and what Is /,
ltsiret can he accomplished the same o
nd TO the zane extent as the enforce. 9
neni Of other civic regulations ?
The other eyil may be found moro n
ilh'cul' to hasdie and Il may reQulaa d
more wisdom iof ils restriction. No
good purpose would be effected b. scat
'eF1ng i through the community. But