The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-18
GAMBLING FINES
PAID PROMPTLY
LIKE MILKING PROCESS
SAYS REV. MIR WILLIAMS, IN
SPEAKING OF POLICY RAIDS.

Fines of Those Caught Probably
Paid by the Larger Gamblers.
They Regard 1t Kind of TaV,
n Sort of Graft Collected by Legal
Process, Minister Says-Remedy
tor Fine system Suggested-Put
Offenders on Public Works at Fair
Wages and Apply Wages to Fines.
Recent Reports Discussed.
Last night Rev. A. NJ. Williams, pas
tor of Trinity Methodist Church, began
a series of short talks as preludes TO
the regular sermon. The talk was
pithy, pointed and terse. and was de-
signed, as the speaker stated, to turn
some light on recent happenings. In
each of these preludes, which are to be
continued at intervals indefinitely, the
speaker will deal with current events
and treat them from the pulpit point of
view.
The subject of the prelude last night
was Recent Raids and Their Results
The subject of gambling in it's various
forms was treated without hesitation
and the conduct of the city officials also
came in for it's share of criticism. The
| text of the prelude was taken from
| Hebrews i:3: why dost thou show me
iniquity and cause me to behold griev-
ance." In treating the subject Rev. Mr..
Williams said:
Every good citizen needs to faith
| fully watch the execution of the laws.
1t is important that we should get the
facts, their bearing, and their true in
wardness, if possible. l want to help
by turning the light on some features
! of the situation. A prominent evil of
our day and city is gambling and the
policy lottery.
Last week we had several raids or
they are here; that they are determined
to stay here; that they can be discov-
cred, and that we have officers compe-
tent to handle them if they are allowed
and have the necessary support.
II am very anxious for the time to
/ come when | can without reservation
commend our authorities. Is this such
a time? 1t is doubtful. The whole af-
fair looks very much like the milking
process so graphically described by
| Sam Jones: Raid the shops, plead gull
] Iy, me the OlL6lueISs COll0CI AAlC AAAOAl-
ey, and turn loose the rascals.' 1t may
! not be the same feature but it is its
double"
Where Does Money Come From.
True, the claim is made that the
offenders are new. But where did
! they get so much money? Open only
few days and new hands, yet able
! to pay 500 at once. l declare to you
| that l get a fair salary and the church
is reasonably prompt in paying it,
but If l had to get up 800 or go to
! Jail, I'd have to go.
"A real honest, Woodworking negro
makes from 500 to $50 per month. One
| hundred dollars represents four
months hard work for him, and these
| men produce it without trouble. OF
course everybody has an idea where
the money comes from-the big oper-
ators furnish it. They seem to regard
this method as a kind of tax, a sort
of graft collected by legal process.
IF we really intend to break up
| this evil and not continue this child's
| play, there is but one course to pur-
sue. Make detection certain and make
| punishment inevitable and effective.
Remedy Is Suggested.
Insolvent costs is the excuse for
this fine system. Try this plan as a
remedy. Put these Migrants on the
ment. Pay them a reasonable rate for
their labor, and credit their fines with
this wage. In this sway we could be
certain who paid the fines give the
punishment they dread, and replenish
the 1nsolvent COSTS
BY the way, as we speak of im-
/ prisonment, where are the offenders
already sentenced to jail? How many
days of their sentence have they serV-
| ed? Two or more of them are yet at
large.
Report says the gambling hells
have been reopened and that their
lights are conspicuous. Not one month
since the great tragedy passed! VINO
can predict how soon another Will
shock us!
Report also has it that the gam
blers say the Mayor is in earnest in
his desire to suppress, but that the
police are quiet. This is only report,
but as far as l am able, l want you
to know what is being said. 1t may
be merely smoke, but smoke generally
means fire, and the public ought 10
know where the smoke is. Somebody
is responsible. l only give you the
latest opinion"
sermon on the Judgment.
Following the prelude, which is CIV
en- in full above, Mr. Williams took
up the regular sermon for the even
ing The subject of the sermon was
THE Last Judgment" it being one of
a series which are to be preached in
preparation for the revival services
which are to be held in the near fu-
ture.
The sermon dealt with the final
Judgment when all nations and all
people will stand before the Infallible
Judge and be required to give an ac-
count of their stewardship on earth.
There will be no error in that court
and the punishment which is melted
out will be sure, swift and certain"
he said. There will be no time for
repentance then. The time for repent
ance is now, the present, and unless
we avail ourselves of it the time will
come when we shall beg in vain for
mercy and forgiveness"
The musical numbers rendered by
the choir were a feature of the serv-
ice. The usual song and prayer serv-
ice was held just before the prelude
and sermon was delivered. A large
congregation was in attendance at the
meeting and the closest attention was
given the pastor throughout both ad-
dresses.