Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-02-12
T think II wrong 10 Gamble

"whyr
Il think 1t wrong TO gamble"
You can't call the game we play
gambling We just play for amusement.
No ones ever out, In any one game,
more than few dollars
The principle involved Is the same,
whether the stake be one dollar or a
thousand"
Then you don't believe in any games
Of chance?"
Not If played for a stake. Gambling
the effort to get something for moth
ing-is wrong, no matter what the de-
vice used"
How about lotteries, betting on cleo
tions and other things, dealing in
stocks, and so on-are they gambling?"
Let me repeat. Wherever money is
risked or invested, with hope of win
ming and a chance of losing-and with
out the winner giving or the loser re-
ceiVing adequate compensation in re-
turn-it is gambling"
Il see. Then good many so-called
business transactions are merely gam
bling schemes"
"eYs. And that fact Is the para
mount reason why our economic sys-
tenn Is not successfully the rich are
growing richer and the poor are grow
ing poorer. Everybody thirsts for
money; desires wealth, no matter how
acquired. So they gamble. And the few
win; the many lose"
That's So" Clark said soberly. Then
smiling:
But what would you call selling
prize packages and rafting, like they
do at church fairs-gambling?"
Certainly"
Say! you're better than some
preachers"
"Yes-I am a moralist," Ralph laugh
ed.
Il don't care what you are" his COM
panion said solemnly. you are talking
good sense-and you're giving me
something to think about. like to lis
ten to you. Now | want to ask you a
few questions-for information"
go on"
isn't insurance gambling-life in
surance and fire insurance.
81 think not" Ralph answered
promptly. "a life insurance company
does not deal with a single individual
only, but with many. What 1t loses to
one 1t wins from another. In the ag-
gregate 1t makes-or should make-but
a fair profit on it's investment. It does
not seek to get something for nothing.
NOR is there any chance about the
misunderstanding the risks collectively.
The company is sure of a profit-that
is all 1t asks. Nor does the party in
sured strive to get something for moth
ing. He does not wish to win until late
in life. He is perfectly satisfied to live
and pay his premiums. Yet he-or his
heirs-are bound to win in the end. Do
you follow me?'
Yes. But don't the parties insured
gamble against each other, then-like
fellows betting on wheel of fortune?
And isn't the company like the owner
of the intoxicating per cent of the
stake at every whirl?"
You are shrewd and farseeing,"
Marlowe laughed. There is a seeming
similarity, admit. 1t is one of the in
stances where legitimate business near
ly approaches gambling. But here is |
the marked difference between the two. |
The man who loses twenty-five dollars |
on single turn of the wheel of for
tune-or in any game of chance-and
has no more money to risk gets moth
ing in return; the individual who pays
twenty-five dollars premium on a
thousand dollar policy, and who has
no more money-and must drop his in
surance at the end of the year-re-
celves years protection in return for
his cash. And he is-or ought to be
satisfied"
81 see," Clark answered nodding and
batting his eyes.
Then after moody silence of several
minutes:
Honestly now, Marlowe, what harm
can there be in my playing a fair and
square game of poker, for small stakes?
What | lose In one game win In an
other And it's such good SPORT"
You argue just as I used to do"
Ralph replied gravely.
Herein lies the harm-the danger,
rather: You are cultivating an apDe-
tite that is inherent in most human
beings, an appetite that is all too esaily
deVeloped-the appetite for gambling:
the dishonest desire to take without
giving aught in return; the taste for
high and reckless play. venture the
assertion that you young fellows who
have been gambling, play for larger
stakes now than you did in the begin
ming. Am | not right?"
Yes, you are" Clark reluctantly
admitted. "And some of the boys are
constantly urging that the limit be
raised still higher You're right in what
you say; can see It. McDevitt and
one or two others have been going to
Malconta lately, to play in bigger
games. But look here. Taking your
view Of the matter, wouldn't II be bet
ter not to play cards at all-for fun
even?"
would you refuse to speed your
horse on the public highway. because
gamblers bet on horse-races; or fear
to exercise the right of suffrage. be-
cause they place wagers on elections?"
Hardly. But playing cards is differ
emit"
Ito be continued.)