The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-02-24
How and Where to Begin.

According to all estimates, -secu-
lar as we'll as religious, it is agreed
that gambling is q vice, but there
is much diversity Of opinion az to
just what chances one may take
without incurring the reproach
which attaches to the gamester.
The devotecs of doodlc-euchre and
kindred pastimes arc not accustom-
ed to number themselves with those
sclf-confesscd publicans who hazard
their coin over the green cloth. The
captains Of industry, finance and
commerce would bc greatly outraged
were they accused of being elder
brothers to those vcnturesomc spir-
it's who stake their nickels and
dimes on the probability of the pol
| icy numbers being 4-11-4i, or
some other equally popular gig"
The crap-shootcr points to the card
sharp, the card-sharp to the book
maker, the book k-makcr to the buck
ct-shop patron, who in his turn
mathematics the brokers of the
regularly organized exchanges. Each
finds his cxoncration in himself
rather than in the law, and each in
Weighs against the other as the man
against whom action should be taken
if the regeneration Of society is ever
to be accomplished. 1t is difficult,
therefore, for mere theorists, who
have nothing to guide their judg-
mcnt but the statutes and their con-
seriousness of individual rectitude,
grituy-.netsessa tn BEGIN in promot-
or, there has been lent hclninp
hand by the Hon. John III. Martin
a fearless Georgia jurist.
| In a charge which Judge Martin
has Just delivered from the bench
at Hawkinsville, the grand Jurors
OF Pulaski County are advised to
smltc and spare not. They are
warned, however, to hew to the line
OF the letter rather than the snir;t
or the law, in order that exact ius.
tlcc may be done without regard TO
"..calth' power or social prestige.
Strikc," said Judge Martin "at
this evil in high places with all
your might" and then ne oddcJ.
1T is not less criminal to plav
Tor silver card case than for y
plain silver dollar as it comes
from the mint"
Prcposterous as this NAV seem 70
those fair and gallant garncstcrs
who now and again arc wont to can.
ture the dainty and valuable souye-
mrs that arc the rewards of the skill
they display about the baizc in nr;-
vate parlors, it is nevertheless nc-
cording to the law as it has bccn
made and provided. Judge Martin
says: VIII
/ charge you that society pco-
pic DC they male or female, who
form social clubs, and meet from
timc to time at the homes of tho
members and play whist, progress j
I'VE cuchrc, finch, trail bunco or
any other game with cards or ike
devices for valuable prizes MIR
chased with funds to which thc
players have contributed, are as
much guilty OF violating the law
against gambling as the vcricst
plcbians, who hover around a light
wood knot fire and play sevcneup
or poker. or skin, for the paltrv
pennies and nickcls and the person
knowingly permitting such PLAYING
at ms or her house is as guilty Of
the offence Of keeping and main.
tanning gambling house as is the
proprietor OF the den in some back
alley, where gambling is practiccd -
Inc Atlanta Constitution informs
us that the charge of Judge Martin
has created Statewide scnsa-
ton" in Georgia; but VIC arc not
disposed to think that many true
6ills will be brought in against the
doodlc-euchre criminals of society
as We have learned
recently, are difficult to obtain in t
Ieorgla, even when the violations ,
d law are most fragrant, and we lc
ioubt that a jury could be found c
possessed OF either the inclination !
'r the hardihood to. SO violate the '
'anctity OF Mrs. Hyphenated Smiths t
hospitality as to arraign her for
ieeping a gilded hall of chance. he
ause she occasionally permits hen.