Bisbee daily review., 1904-12-04
PUBLIC GAMBLING

PUBLIC GAMBLING
 Since the organization of the terri. tory of Arizona there never has been any attempt made to prohibit public and wide open gambling. In almost every state in the union gambling is prohibited by law. In some of the states the running of gam bling game constitutes a felony and is punishable by a term in the penitsntiary; in nearly every state gambling is under the ban of the law. "'-
 In Arizona gambling is licensed just as saloon or other whiskey house is licensed and it is carried on without let or hindrsnce at all hours. includ- ing Sunday. But there is a sentiment raidly growing in this territory against public and wide open gambling and it is quite likely that in the legislature this winter an attempt will be made to enact law which will aI least drive the gambling behind closed doors and away from public view if it does not attempt to prohibit it entirely.
 The long years of unlimited and un- restrained gambling in Arizona has to some etxent desdened the public mind and sentiment, especially among the old timers. against its iniquity and the blightiDg curse which must necessarily result to tbosesswho are induced to pat ronize it. While the gamblers who preside st the roulette and faro tables are joviaI and oftentimes large hearted and quick to respond to the call of charity, still the business they pursue is one which has caused more misery in the world than that of any other call ing. As an evidence of growing pub lie sentiment in Arizona against public gambling We produce the following from the Tucson Citizen:
 Arizona ought not to differentiate its civilization and morals from the standard set by the states by tolerating the institution of public gambling. and Tucson should seek to keep abreast of progressive and enlightened citizens by at least curbing gambling to the extent oi its ability.
 "The Citizen is not in favor of mak . ing the commonwealth the grand mother of the individual. This news paper is opposed to sumptuary laws of all kinds. It believes that the indi- viduaI has right to do anything he ikes so long as he does not infringe upon the happinesss and comfort and liberty of his neighbor. But just as governments properly and wisely pro vide against the commission of offenses against the person, a., ainst the spread of contagious disease and against many things that endanger the peace health and happiness of the citizen, so government should feel it duty-and this duty is recognized in the forty five states of the union and in the fed ersI district of Columbia-to make the institution of public gambling a penal offense. It is the plain duty of the legislature of Arizona to abolish public gambling in the territory. Until this is done, Arizona will be re. garded throughout the country as being behind the states in civic decency, efficient laws, progressive public spirit and advanced civilization.
 Public gambling is a menace to society. It tempts the boy; it rpIns the man: it makes women and chil.  dren desolate; it is a school for crimi- nsls and refuge for outlws- No sen sible business man will keep in his employ anyone who habitualiy gam bies, yet these gross public gambling