Bisbee daily review., 1905-02-23
PUBLIC GAMBLING WILL BE THE ISSUE.


 Hon. N. E. Bailey, member of tn,
 Legislature from Cochise county, hal
 introduced the anti-gambling bill
 What the gamblers would do to the
 member who dared interfere witl their business, has fallen on deaf ear: in the case of MT. Bailey, and from this day hence the bill to attract the most attention will be the anti-gam bling measure. The introduction oi the bill has more than passing politi cal meaning. Introduced by a Dem ocratic member in Democratic leg islature, that body must now accept the responsibility for the defeat or passage of the bill. While each indi- vidual member of the legislature, in both houses, will vote upon the meas ure according to the dictates of his own conscience, the Democratic ma iority must bear the odium of it's de feat if it fails of final passage. Prom inent gamblers over the Territory have been in constant communication since the convening of the legislature. The result of the election in Tucson, where public gambling had existed for fifty years, and was wiped out of exist ence the first time the question was made an issue, showed only too well the drift of public sentiment, ana an early beginning was made by the gam bling interests to prevent the passage of an anti-gambling bill by the legisla- ture. The day of public gambling is numbered in Arizona, and why prolong the agony.
 Nr. Bailey, of Cochise county, mas shown that he dares to do right. AS the father of the bill, on his shoulders will fall the burden of contesting for the final passage of the measure against odds which a lavish expendi- ture of money can secure for aimOst any purpose. The Review is pleased to know that a Cochise county Demo crat has formulated a new plank for the Democratic party of Arizona, and that is "anti-gambling. No doubt MT. BaiIey's next mail will bring toI him violent denunciation for his ac- ton. These letters will come almost entirely from people having some self ish purpose in view, and the general welfare and prosperity of the com munity is a second consideration in their mind. A majority of the peo- pie of Bisbee will endorse the course of MT. Bailey. A majority of the people of Cochise county will endorse the action of MT. Bailey, and a major ity of the people of the territory will be found of the same opinion when ever the gamblers desire to submit the question to a vote of the people.
 It is amazing to find honest, intelli- gent and otherwise well informed men of business or the professions pro claiming their belief that gambling helps business. that it should be li- censed except for the fact that it is bad morals. AS a study in morality the gambling question must be set tied in the consciences of the public.
 As a problem of common sense busi- ness, the first fact that is to be recog- nized is that gambling has no more to do with the stable business interests of this city than cock fighting or bridge whist. We do not say that it hurts legitimate business. but there is no escape from the fact that it does not help the sound, sane. material inter- ests which are making always for the calm, healthy and lasting prosperity of the community.
 When we hear the remark, "that business will be dull when the anti gambling bill passes" we stop to con slider. What does the profession of gambling add to the artery of trade? 1t strikes us that if the c. 6 A. and Copper Queen mines were to cease operations in Bisbee, that the com munity, or any part of it, or even the gamblers themselves, would be unable to subsist from the revenue created by the gambling table. Gamblers pro duce nothing. The occupation of the professional gambler is not and nev- CT can be recognized as dignified or legitimate business. He papders to one of the most destructive passions, and he knows it. But the Review is not enlisted in the anti-gambling move ment as reformer. The moral plea against the vicious haDic of gambling is all true and good as far as it goes.