Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1906-07-30
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Probably 900 reopie heard Judge
Mills. G. ". @. Ward. James @. Nc
Nary and ether speakers last night
discuss the formation Of q municipal
good government club al the Duncan
opera house The meeting was . union
II various church congregations and
the business men Of Las Vegas,
Threatening weather and rain is re-
sponsible fer rather meager attend
apce. bnt the meeting vas successful
In launching definite preliminary plans
for the organization OF good govern
msnt club. the purpose and objects of
which are the caFtailment Of Las We
gas wide open" policy and the
ultimate stamping out Of gambling.
which Judge Mills. in his address,
characterized as the worst curse IN
New Mexico. The meeting was the
outcome of pulpit agitation for civic
righteousness which was foisted a
month ago and has teen carried fur"
ward BY local Protestant clergy. Be.
fore the meeting adjourned Reverend
Richard A. Morley, pastor cf the Meta
odist church, moved that the chair.
man Of the meeting. Rev II. II. Treat.
pastor Of the Baptist church, have
power 10 appoint a committee Of five
which will formulate plans for per,
mapent organization.
Reverend Treat this morning nam.
ed the committee personnel. They are
Judge William J. Mills. Richard A.
Morley. J. II. Stearns, N. B. Roseberry
and James G. McNary.
A supplementary motion was made
that all males come forward when the
meeting adjourned and subscribe their
names to a list as a starter. The mo
tion with It's rider was unanimously
carried. II was also decided 10 have
q second mass meeting at the Duncan
next Sunday evening.
A communication was read from
Judge e. v. Long, who was unable to
be present at the meeting. II outlined
Judge Longs position upon the mat.
ters under consideration and state
ment that he is in hearty sympathy
with the anti-gambling sentiment and
q movement to enact laws to suppress
the evil.
William G. Hayden. attorney. was
to have been another Of the speakers.
but he was called out Of town on
pressing business and telegraphed his
regrets.
Gist Of Judge Mills Remarks
Judge Mills, who was introduced by
the chairman. declared he was not
present to make forensic effort but
rather II was his intention to make
a few extempore remarks about the
practical method for suppressing
evils II they were found to exist.
Also he gave some practical hints
about how the city council can sup
press gambling which is at this time
licensed by territorial laws, and regu.
late the liquor traffic by increasing
the saloon licenses. Before making
these suggestions, however. the jurist
sketched the trend Of public senti-
ment against these evils since he
first came to New Mexico in 1879, at
>~ which time he declared the vest side
was All there was 10 Las, Vegas and
II consisted of one or two general
stores and at least twenty gambling
bells where women dealt faro and
licensiousness was unrestricted. Las
Vegas is no worse now than many
towns throughout both territories" he
declared. Indeed it Is much better
than some, and there are many which
are not nearly so good as Las Vegas.
But there yet remains number Of
things for the good government club
to do" he suggested, "and the organ
ization should go about the establish
nent of better order Of things in a
legal way. If you find that wrong
aeer is violating the laws" he remark
ed, "secure evidence and lay it before
the district attorney: have him indict-
ed and he will be convicted If found
guilty"
At this point in his address the