La Junta tribune., 1904-07-06
.,.,.r.as A.o .lor sae.,ss.,

petition to the mayor and the
council regarding the slo6 ma
chimes. in particular, and gambling
in general, calling attention to the
law upon the same, and asking
that it be enforced. This law re-
quires that all gambling devices
supposed to be present in any
place be produced and destroyed.
Now We notice. in last Saturdays
TRIBUNE, the manner of the execu-
tion of this law.
The article in question suggests
tilt between the city officials
and Sheriff Barr. and the existence
OF "graft and an election pull
being the motive for the aforesaid
slot machines beng "gently and
quietly removed to the seclusion
OF back rooms and their faces turn
ed toward the wall The very
gentleness i d quietness with
which this matter is attended to is
very suggestive as to how forcibly
the law IS to be executed, and
how deterTing is "gratt" and
job upon law enforcement. After
the little storm shall have blown
over "the machines will, no
doubt, be "gently and quietly ="
restored to their former places.
Now we respectfully ask. as we
have already done in our petition,
that the slot machines be brought
out, every one, and before judge
or justice Of the peace, destroy
ed. We, nor no other man OBJ
servant of political maneuvers,
will have any faith in the authori-
ties to maintain either their integ-
rity or oath OF Office until this IS
done.
1t is probable that when one or
more citizens, who own these gam
bling devices, are ieaping several
hundred dollars a month from the
same, that some undue influence
is brought to bear to make those
in authority Indifferent to the laws
execution. The law is plain
enough, il calls for the conviction
OF "any person who shall keep
any room or booth, building or
shed to be used for gambling, and
a fine Of from thirty to five hun
dred dollars, and Imprisonment OF
from ten to thirty days IN the
county jail, or both at the discre-
ton Of the court. And every day
IN which this is knowingly allowed
shall be deemed a separate and
distinct offense. The keeper OF
any game or gambling device is
subject to fine OF from two to
five hundred dollars and Jail sem
tence of three to twelve months.
The person who plays the game
is subject to fine OF from fifty to
two hundred and fifty dollars"
Now, why is not this law execut-
ed7 Why have not the officials,
everyone OF whom knows of the
existence OF lhese slot machines,
and the sheriff in particular, who
turned them to the wall, executed
the law3 II the rumors about
graft and reelection tear are not
true let US see something done
that is not SO much "on the quiet"
AS ministers and citizens of La
| Junta we demand of the authori.
ties the execution of the law
against gambling, and call atten-
ton to Section l of Mills Ammo.
tated Statutes, Supplement, 3294 a,
that "every person elected or ap-
pointed to any Office, or to any
and every position of trust and
employment under the laws of this
state, who shall violate his oatlr of
Office or fail and neglect to per-
form the duties of his office as pre-
scribed by law or ordinance, shall,
upon conviction thereof, upon in
dictment or information, be fined
in sum of not less than $40 nor
more than 5000 for each and every
ofense.