The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-24
NOT A MORAL WAVE.

Some people, usually Win no respec'
for morality, characterize the closing
of gambling in Astoria as mora
wave. This is misnomer, Will,
there is a splendid field for a mora
wave to operate upon in Astoria the
gambling wave was not instigated by
the class of people who generally in
terest themselves in such matters. The
sheriff did not suppress gambling from
a moral standpoint. but from a busi-
ness standpoint and from duty en-
joined upon him by the statutes of the
state, which the city officials refuse
to enforce.
Some Of the ward heelers imagine
they see a political move in the ac-
tions of the sheriff. The only educa-
ton they have has been acquired in
the filthy pool of politics and If q
minister breaches a sermon on good
citizenship. they imagine they see
politics in 1t. II were useless to argue
the questions with such sap heads as
they have not sufficient brain capacity
to comprehend questions other thar
those that operation to politics or
gambling. But what difference does
it make whether it be a moral wave
or a political scheme. the question to
ha dnfnrv1afpaA &c ic ri.y
Some of the gentlemen connected
with the city government in an inter-
view. evince an opinion that while
gambling is. pernicious and 1t is vir.
tually licensing vice and crime, they
believe it ought to exist. because the
city needs the revenues from gam
bling TO maintain the city government.
With all due regard for the sincerity
of such people, it is evident that they
are actuated more by mercinary mo-
tives than they are in saving hundreds
of young men from ruin and degreda-
tion. According to their opinions the
question Of gambling resolves itself
down to a business proposition. Let a
few facts be submitted to an intelli-
gent community for their careful con-
Last Saturday night Leander Le-
bak paid off a man who had been
working for him on the hospital
building, s33 wages due himself and
his boy. The man has nice family, |
a wife and several children who some |
times suffer for the necessaries of life. |
This man was inveigled into a gam
bling game; did not go home that
night, and at O'clock Sunday morn
ing he had blowed in every dollar of
his own and his boys wages over the
table. This money In turn
Is paid by the gambler to the city of
Astoria for paying salaries Of police.
men, superintendent on the city hall
building: superintendents on improve
ment Of streets. the latter illegal and
without authority. The gambler pays
It from the money he virtually robbed
the working man and his son of. But
the city needs the money the wife and
children Of the poor man does not need
it, according to their theory. Is II
right? Where is the moral wave on
the political scheme involved?
A young man was employed at a
large store. He had received his wages
and also had collected $50 of the FIRMS
money. He was persuaded to visit
house where everyone with
money is given the glad hand, and
after It is gone, is kicked out In a
few hours he had lost not only his own
salary, but the $50 belonging to his
employer. This money Is needed by
the city to pay the running expenses
The boy lost his position, his money
and his employers, but the avarice
and greed Of those favoring licensing
vice and crime consider this only Of
secondary Importance as long as the
sity derives a revenue from 1t. Is IT
-ight2
Instances are well known, to the
police and to other city officers where
Young men have been in business.
rhey attend to their business during :
he day, but instead of going home to .
heir families after business hours ,
hey are found seated at the gambling I