Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-10-24

shows & great head for the gambler
in chief. He not only takes in money
for drinks, but he starts his victims
to the games with their heads not
a bit too clear. Back of the bar is
the poker room. On the second floor
we find roulette and craps, the cheap
gambling hell showing forth in all
it's glory Keno and hazard are in a
room to themselves.
There is ''piker's game" with
chips at ten cents each, the man
agement being willing to take car
tickets at five cents each. The floor
is covered with sawdust and sputum,
the air reeking with the fumes of
cheap tobacco, consumed in cheap
pipes or cheaper cigarettes. In these
rooms the pale-faced department
clerks touch elbows with collarless,
coatless, evil-visaged people from
whose presence they would shy even
on street cars. The games are car
ried On from Saturday night until
Monday morning. Those who have
stayed about the place during that
entire period. whether winners or
losers, and usually losers, must re-
turn TO their duties; and they are
both physically and mentally unit
for any kind of work.
1t was with some knowledge Of these
conditions that the secretary of the
treasury determined to strictly en-
force the rules and regulations against
gamblers. More than two months ago
Secretary Shaw gave this matter his
personal consideration. He deter
mined that the great treasury depart
ment, wherein great responsibility de-
wolves upon every clerk, is no place for
poker players and those inclined to
general gambling. The clerks would
not believe that the quiet. grave-look-
ing man would have time or take time
to look after them. But "sporty boys
were surprised one day to find that the
salaries of three poker-p1aying clerks
had been reduced, and that they had
been sent to less responsible positions.
One clerk had his salary reduced from
81 500 per annum to 81 900. His wife
and children will have better living
now than they had when he was draw
ing more money, for he took nearly all
of it to the gaming bells. But for their
dependent families the clerks might
have been discharged.
The examples thus made have been
productive of good, for they have
caused others who have been reck-
lesslv inclined to become more home
loving in their habits. Nevertheless.
one clerk in the treasury continued tc
play the races for high stakes, and was
also known as an expert in picking
winners He invented an alleged ''sys
could he
cessfully played by those who were I'M
Informed concerning the merits of the
horses. This system was advertised
bv circulars, the allegation being that
s'the inventor holds a prominent posi-
ton in the treasury department"
The sporty" clerk was drawing z
good salary, but his great system
went so much wrong that he was
obliged to go into debt, and he Dor
rowed money from John J. Kleiner, a
private banker here. When he failed
to paw this indebtedness, Mr.. Kleiner
sent his bill to the department, inclos-
ing the telltale circular. And the clerk
with the system was removed. In pass
ing. it NAV be of interest to many read
ers to know that Mr.. Kleiner was for
ten years a member of congress from
d..
champion of the opening of the great
Sioux reservation in Dakota territory
This dismissal has had an effect
which will be lasting. because through
out the great department there is now
a feeling that the man at the helm
knows how to deal with minute details
of the department, as well as with the
great problems which require state
craft.
Secretary Shaw is a kindly-disposed
Christian gentleman, a religious man
a temperance man, a church goer. anc
a worshiper of the living God. Albeit
he has been severe with those who de-
serve severity, he is gentle with those
who deserve kindness. During the
very period when he was disciplining
the wrong-doers, he took the time &c
hear the personal sorrows of lady
clerk, and he tempered for her justice
with mercy He endesvors TO be jus
tice incarnate SMITH D. FRY.