The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-03
THE MAYOR Will
NOT interfere.
Rev. E. +. Wexford Forces
His Hand on
Rafflitig.
SERMON SCORE HES THE ELKs
Tile Rafting Continues in Full
Swing and the Mayor
Stands Pat.

Especial 10 The Times. DispatchD
NEWPORT NEWS, VA. May 2.--Mayor
\ s. r.. Buxton to-day took a decided stand
4 In regard to the alleged rafflinga and
gambling which has been In progress a
4 the Elks' Fair for ten days past. He
stated that, as far as he was concerned
as Mayor OF the city. nothing would be
done in regard to the alleged violations
y of the law. lttl
Last Monday night the fair opened, and
the alleged violations Of the law were
to $be seen on every hand. Among in-&
lumorable other articles. u piano and
buggy were put upSto be ratified.
Last Tuesday Rev. % T. Wexford and
other preachers called upon the authorl-
ties to call a halt upon the proceeding.
He was promised that the matter would
Z be looked into. Nothing was done,l how
ever and when the fair closed for the
week Saturday night the raffles were III
full swing. M S5S
s Ea q THOU SHALT NOT STEAL. y
TX The prea cher took as his text Sunday
.Thou Shalt Not Steal" the Scripture
lesson being the ten commandments. He
said .'The Elks have conducted during
the past week in their new home, under
the shadow of tho First Presbyterian
Church and the z. NJ. G. A., gambling
house Continuing. he said that the Elks
anaQB BOneBlIlO tillS lllilB 2ColiSSlouss lila
( 1t was altogether contrary to law, and
with the determination to defy the stat
Ute 63 s3 V 5fs i,. X sE
. Il. Gan Individual" he declared. land I
know who he ls. has been selected to be
indicted and fined II the authorities act"
@ Mr.. Well ford referred to the fact that
less, than month ago a veteran from,
the National Soldiers H ONE was arrested.
fined and sentenced Ito Jail for selling
1nd, t$ort fr,Bf a
fact that the law prohibiting lotteries
and raffles is one and the same.
AUTHORITIES AFRAID.
The city authorities, the preacher de-
gclared, were afraid to- act In this mat
+ ter, because an election Is approac ching
and the E1ks control q large number of
votes. I'VE are sorely disappointed IN.
the reform government" he Went on to
say. .-rhe old regime was put out and
you were by an overwhelming sentiment
elected to right our wrongs. and in the
hour OF emergency you have failed. Dis
appointed we are, but still we have not
lost all confidence. Act now and redeem
4 the past as best you may. Let It. not#be
said that the reform government was
incompetent to close gambling h ouse.:
II you cannot, we will have some one
who can. i{5 \
E33 Rey.sI. IT. Wexford. pastor Of the First
Presbyterian Church, approached tho
Mayor on the subject again to-day and
forced His H or to declare his position.
The Mayor went on to say that he did
not think the Elks were 'crimlnally Iyio-
5lating the law.
Its8SS CITY WORKED UP. as
The entire city5.is worked up over the
situation Many people endorse the &C
ton Of the preacher In denouncing the
Elks and the authorities, while the Tslks
|sand their friends are very Indignant over
what has been done i "a. N
The rafting continued In full swing
last night, and the wheels Of fortune
spun as merrily, as ever. It is announced q
that no changes will be made IN the ne.
conduct of-the bazaar. stsi3 35