Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-04-27
PUTS END TO
ALL GAMBLING
Attorney General Defines His Position
With Regard to Enforcement Of
the Law.
WRITES LETTER TO sCALLoN
Will Proceed Against All County Off,
GERS Who Fail to Enforce
Law.


torney General Galen is concerned
the auietus has been put upon gamb-
ling in Montana. In a letter written
yesterday to William Scallon, presi-
dent of the Butte Civic league, Mr..
Galen says that the local authorities
must enforce the anti-gambling law
or he will proceed against them. The
announcement refers not only to the
officers in Silver Bow, but to those in
every county in the state. Slot ma
chimes are included in the order.
In addition to writing to Mr.. Seal
Ion, Mr. Galen has sent letter TO
every county attorney in the state
directing him TO command the sher-
if in his county to enforce the law,
Mr.. Galen says he will hold every
county officer to strict accountability
in enforcing the ant-gambling law,
His letter to Mr. Scallon follows:
Reply to Mr. Scallon.
Il am in receipt of your favor OF
the 18th inst. with Enclosures, relative
gambling law in Silver Bow county,
and the inactivity of local authorities,
notwithstanding the fact that the mat
Ter has been properly called to their
attention.
Il have no disposition to interfere
with local authorities in the admins
tration of the law, and will do so only
in exceptional cases: and the enforce
ment of the anti-gambing law, the
same as other penal statutes, is a
matter devolving primarily upon the
local authorities. However, it is prop
erly within my power and province
to entertain and prosecute proper
complaints made against local Off
GERS for misfeasance. nonfeasance or
malfeasance in Office and | have de
termined to at all times honceforth
insist upon this law being vigorously
enforced the same as other penal
statutes, or hold the local authori
ties to strict account. | can. and
will deal direct with local authori
ties, and insist upon the honest and
faithful performance Of duties on the
part of local officers. and am ready 10
entertain, file and prosecute complaint
against any local officer shown to
have failed to perform his duty.
Il have come to this decision after
careful consideration and mature de-
liberation. and this law must here
after be upheld and enforced, or else,
taken from the statute books. 1t is
not consistent with the honest per
Torrance of duties on the part of To-
cal officers, and am ready to enter
tain. file and prosecute complaint
against any local officer shown to
have failed to perform his duty.
Il have come to this decision after
careful consideration and mature de-
liberation. and this law must here
after be upheld and enforced or else.
taken from the statute books. 1t IS
not consistent with the honest per
Torrance of duty or obedience TO Off
cial oath for me or any other officer
charged with the enforcement OF the
law, for any reason. to remain pass
i've respecting the enforcement of the
anti-gamblng statute. No public Off
Ger is vested with authority to eX
empt persons from prosecution for
violation OF this or any other penal
statute And the system reSOrted to
by some towns and cities in this state
of licensing the violation of the anti
gambling law cannot be justified or
excused on any theory, and is most
pernicious and deserving of public
condemnation. There can be no distinc-
ton, on principle, between licensing
gambling and licensing larceny, burg
larry, highway robbery or safe crack
law made crimes.
Folly and Subterfuge.
1T is mere folly and subterfuge for
any public officer To insist that he
has no knowledge OF the open and no.
torious violation of the gambling
law in Silver Bow county and else
where in this state, for it is a matter
of common talk. daily new spaper re-
port and can be witnessed with little
exertion almost any night or day.
And we have daily visible before our
eyes, the operation of one of the most
pernicious forms of gambling. name
ly, the money Slot machine.
81 have this day addressed com
munication to every county attorney
in this state directing strict enforce
ment of the anti-gambling statute, ant
requesting each and all TO demand
the cooperation of the sheriffs office
And in relation to the condition nov
existing in Silver Bow county, if tn,
members of your league or other rep
utable citizens will furnish proof o
the continued violation of the Law
and the refusal or neglect of the loca
officers to act, upon bringing the mat
ter properly to their attention witt
the evidence, l shall, without hes
fancy, institute prosecutions as herr
inabove indicated. In obtaining ev
dence in support of charges agains
officers, kindly bear in mind the pr