Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-04-02
CITY REFORM.
BIG MORAL WAVE SWEEPS OVER
CITY FATHERS.
SLOT MACHINES AND CHURCH FAIR
LOTTERIES MUST GOA NIGHT OF
MANY PETITIONS.

A big wave of city reform struck the
Ellsworth city government along about
midnight last night. 1t swept over the
city fathers with such Irresistible force
that II threatened to engulf the whole
administration, but after the crest OF the
wave had passed, the aldermen bobbed to
the surface sereneiy.
The reform wave started with the
petition Of los citizens for the abolish
ment OF the slot machines. Tho aldermen
stood Arm against the wave for some time,
and finally succeeded In getting the
petition down upon the table. But all
the while the wave was working, and
long after the interested visitors at the
meeting had retired, 1t broke TO the sur
face again, and before It had passed had
swept away slot-machines, church fair
lotteries, grab bags and quilt drawings.
IL did not stop there, but swept down
upon the rum-shops. Though the city
government did not officially recognize
the rum shops by any record, OF action,
II was mutually understood by the board
before adjournment that the city mar
shsl should be instructed to see that no
liquor is sold In Ellsworth between 10
O'Clock Saturday night and Monday
morning.
After the unusual excitement OF this
reform movement, the aldermen devoted
a little time to the calming topic of back
taxes, In order to prepare themselves for
refreshing sleep. 1t was after midnight
when the meeting adjourned.
THE MEETING.
Last evenings meeting was the first reg
ular monthly meeting OF the new board,
and 1t was greeted by the usual oatch OF
petitions. There were present at the
meeting Mayor Greedy, Aldermen Stuart,
Mccarthy, Leland and Brady.
The petition for the adjustment of
slot -machines was presented by Rev. J.
~. Adams, OF the Congregational church.
The petition bore los signatures OF rep
resentative business and professional men
OF the city.
Mr.. Adams presented the claims OF the
petitioners briefly and clearly. He said
there we're something like thirty OF these
slot machines OF various kinds in the city.
The first objection Of the petitioners was
that the machines were against the bnsi-
ness interests of the city. He understood
that most of the machines were owned
by non-residents. II the machines took
out OF the city each week $50, which Ia q
modest estimate, 1t was loss to the city
of ~ 500 a year. 1t had been estimated
by some that the machines took $500
too high an estimate; he did not think
;i0O week was an extrsvagant estimate,
however, which meant an annual loss of
over 5000. Again the machines were
against the business interests OF the city
because many who patronize them need
necessities of life, and, In some instances,
to pay their debts.
The second objection to the machines,
Mr.. Adams said, was OF q moral character.
The sentiment OF the country was
against gambling as the source OF many
evils. Ellsworth parents have expressed
disapprobation OF the machines on the
ground that they were corrupting their
boys.
The third objection was that they were
maniiestiy against the laws OF the State.
He read the section quoted In the petition
as follows:
Chapter les, Section I, Revised Statutes of
Maine--If any person or corporation Keeps
house, shop or other place resorted to for the
pur, ose OF gambling; or permits any person to
gamble In any way In any house. chop or place
8nder his care and control such offender shall
be fined not less than ego, nor more than sl,o,
to the use of the prosecutor; and the munich
pal officers and constables OF towns and
cities and the assessors OF plantations are re-
quirsd promptly to enforce the laws against
gambling rooms. and to make complaint against
any person or corporation in their respective
municipalities, when there ss probable cause to
believe such person or corporation to be guilty
Of n violation OF this section.
MIR. Adams said he understood perfectly