The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-12-17

ibs v government oil the people,
for the people and by the people"
While the above was not the exact
language Of Sheriff Hnville. yesterday
morning, yet Il 9as the sentiment lie
expressed TO reporter Of the Astor-
ian, as he sat In bis Eighth street Of
fee, enjoying an extremely fine cigar.
presented 10 him by an admiring friend.
The reporter pricked up his ears, for
naws was his business, and here was
certainly something good; too good TO
be overlooked, he therefore requested
the sheriff 10 specify.
Well" said IinvilIc, "-eyeral months
ago I enforced what | understood were
the laws agninst gambling and dance
halls every city In the West and
Northwest had closed public gambling
II all kinds, a. well ~ public dance
hall-, excepting Astoria, and II stood
alope. Naturally this fact was pub
lished In all the papers. and Astoria
was generally known as the only open
city on the coast, indeed in the West,
and as We sll know, much unfavorable
comment has been made against Us, re-
SiltiIE, in my Judgment materially
against our advancement.
II had no selfish motives In doing this;
IL WAS not the result of anger or malice
neither revenge, nor hatrci had nything
to do with IL; many were friends some
were my personal friends; none had
done me any injury. Neither was II
the result Of any political scheme; the
truth l.. that complaints, innumerable
had been lodged with me. and In my
Office by men who had been robbed OF
their all. Of clerks who had embeuled
because Of their fondness for the gam
Ing table; mothers and fathers, too.
had complained TO me that their child
ren, boys from 10 years upwards, were
permitted TO loitcr around and habituate
gaming house. and dance halls; I tried
to turn these partAs over TO the police
officers Of the city, but the complaining
parties informed me regularly they
could obtain no redress. Every promi-
nent citizen, who has given any atten-
tion 10 the aifairs Of our city, knows
| am speaking the truth.
AT the trial Of the dance hall men, I
produced minor sitter minor. who was
permitted 10 loiter within, and frequent
th,se dance halls and I could havd
brought twenty-five more. Public
gambling was openly carried on, upon
the main street in this city by and with
the conniyance and consent Of the off,
cials Of the city, for which privilege,
sums Of money were paid to
the city, collected by the police officers,
and paid into the city treasuryi why,
the gambler ran the city.
Il had plea after plea made to me
by mothers, fathers and guardians of
Young people here, to head off careers
Of wee and shame. In regard TO boys,
| once asked u police officer to assist in
keeping them out Of certain dance hall.
and was bluntly told by the officer that
he had not entered the place for over
4 years. that he had his orders 10 stay
,ut Of there unless he had reason to be-
lieve murler was boing done in the
house, and he could not and would not
transcend the orders Of his chief.
Il then took hand in the game. I
thought I was right, and still think so,
md will always think so, until l go
iown to my grave, I stopped public
closed these dance halls,
and | kept them closed, never doubling
that would be supported in II. But at
The city election held in this city, last
the question as to whether
or not public gambling, and public
dance halls should be permitted within
the limits Of this city, with the conse-
quent revenue TO be derived therefrOm.
was fully and fairly submitted 10 the
voters; heavy vote was east, and the
electors of this city, by an overwhelm-
ing majority Of practically two to one.
decided in favor of dance halls and
and my action in closing these
was condemned in no meas
urcd terms.
"Now / realize the rights Of the ma
jority, and am not one to thwart the
win of the people, fairly expressed. Yet
no majority however large could in
auence me to violate the laws OF this
state, or my oath Of Office. The charter
Of the city in express terms, delegates
to the city full power and authority to