The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-26
What are the Benefits Derived
rom Licensing Crime.
The LAW ON THE SUBJECT
All Gambling Contracts Are Void
Persons Who Rent Houses for Gam.
Aiina Shall Forfeit Double the Sum
as Rent-sheritf Must Enforce Laws.

The gambling question has been
discussed from business standpoint
srom moral standpoint, and now let
4 be considered from a legal stand
Dolnt. Everyone admits, even those
who favor licensing 1t, that gambling
Is wrong and injurious, both to the
community and to young men. Sec
zion 1s45 of the laws Of Oregon pro-
vides that all gambling contracts are
void, and that notes or motgages given
TO secure gambling debt cannot be
collected. Section 1874 makes every
person who shall conduct or carry on
gambling game criminal and pro-
rides for punishment therefor. Sec
don 1916 provides as follows:
-An persons losing money or any
thing of vale at or on any kind of said
gambling games, shall have cause
af action to recover from the dealer OF
player winning the same, or proprietor
for whose benefit such game was
played or dealt, or such money or thing
sf value won, twice the amount OF the
money OF double the value Of the thing
% lost"
Section 1947 provides as follows:
-An persons who shall let or rent
any house. room. shop or other build
ing whatsoever, or any boat. booth
garden or other place knowing that
the same will be used for gambling
purposes. or having reason to believe
that such building or other place above
mentioned will be so used shall for
felt twice the amount of the rent Of
such building or other place aforesaid
sor six month to be recovered by ac-
tion at law, instituted by the district
attorney in the name of the state. All
contracts for the rent of the rooms,
Buildings or places aforesaid for the
purposes aforesaid shall be void and |
sr no effect between the parties
Section 1850 provides as follows:
-It shall be the especial duty of each |
district attorney. sheriff, constable
city or town marshall and police officer
to inform against and diligently prose-
cute any and all persons whom they
saaIl have reasonable cause to believe
guilty Of a violation of the provisions
sf this act"
Section 1951-Any officer named in
the preceding section who shall re-.
fnse or wilfully neglect to inform
against and prosecute offenders against
his act shall be deemed guilty of
misdemeanor, and on conviction shall
be punished by fine Of not less than
$50 nor more than $500, and the court
before which such officer shall be tried
snail declare the Office or appointment
heId by such officer vacant for the
balance of his term"
Briefly, gambling is a crime under
the laws of the state of Oregon, and
xny sheriff, chief of police constable or
policeman who neglects or refuses to
prosecute offenders for gambling, are
Hkswise criminals, and their Office
must be declared vacant.
Il the chief Of police collects S25 a
month from a gambling game, with the
understanding that the game is to run g.,
one month without molestation, he is
liable to fine and dismissal from Of
1sre. This has been done in Astoria
II is positively known to the sheriff
chief of police and police officer in the
city of Astoria, that gambling fines of
s25 month have been collected. What :
hen is their duty in the premises?
An officer, before assuming the duties
n his Office, holds up his right hand
and solemnly swears that he will faith
FGEly and honestly discharge the du-
Sies Of his Office according to the laws :
Of the state Of oregon. Has it been
done? There is no politics or moral
wave in this question. 1t is the law,
and laws are made to be enforced
There is no possible excuse for the nom
enforcement of the laws. If they are
detrimental to the interests Of the
community, let them be repealed otn-
erwfse they should be enforced
No man in Astoria ever won a dol
sr at gambling game, aside from the I
gamblers. The man that deals wears n
, diamond stud in his shirt front and r
= SOLITAIRE on his finger The man that e
plays at the game, fastens his pants fl
up with shingle nails, and has scars n
Bn his fingers from hard work. There v
has not been and there is not a single Il
MN in the city Of Astoria that has any 81
to advance in favor Of gam al
Hing, not even the gambler himself. ir
There are a few men, however, who CT
5eiieve in violating the laws Of the oi
tate: ruin young men; deprive hon. al
st, hard working men Of their weeks ii
n months wages, in order that the to
'ity may derive a revenue from It bt
mt there is not one OF them that viii al
ny that the system is right. It is ca
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