Arizona republican., 1906-11-18
PHOENIX. ARIZ.. NOV. IS. 1906.
THE GAMBLING QUESTION.

THE GAMBLING QUESTION.
 The question of gambling which has agitated this community and disturbed politics in this city for several years will be settled one way or another next Tuesday. at least for a time. Should the anti-gambling sentiment be defeat cd the conflict would be merely post poned. It has been evident for two years that gambling in Phoenix was doomed and all efforts in behalf of it have been directed wholly to putting off the fatal day.
 The republican council in carrying out it's prediction pledges has ordered the question to be submitted to the people and that will be done mex: Tuesday. We believe that whatever the verdict may be. the council will execute it in spirit as well as in letter.
 The controversy which has been industriously carried on by both sides necessarily centers about the financial effect of a prohibition of gambling. There is no other issue to be joined. There are no ethical questions to be considered except in connection with the assertion which is made on one side that the city cannot afford to dis pense with the gambling license sys- ten at this time. The reply to that may be that the city can afford to undertake any real or imaginary hard ship rather than to permit public gambling to continue.
 But it is not admitted by the oppo- nents of gambling that the city cannot afford to cut of this source of revenue. They point out that the government can be conducted as it has been with out money from the games and with out adding a cent 60 other licenses or to the burden of the taxpayers. They go further and assert that the city and the county will be spared the expense which attends the prosecution of of lenses directly Or indirectly attribut able to gambling. They also point to the present improved business condi- tions in Tucson and Fl Paso. where gambling has been suppressed for the last two years In addition to all this they argue that freedom from gambling will give the capital city of Arizona a standing abroad which will benefit it in dollars and cents. To all this they add the saving of wages which apparently pass out of the com munity forever. leaving nothing in exchange They make a further point that a business recognized as wholly productive which can afford to pay an aggregate yearly license of s14OOO must be supported at tremend- ous waste by the community in which it thrives
 These are the arguments on the ma terial side of the question. Of the can be said in behalf of gambling and nothing that need be said against 1t. All civilized communities are agreed as to the character of it.
 Personally of many of the men who are prominently engaged in gambling in Phoenix much may be said in their favor. Whether or not they are hon. orable in theiE chosen calling they are so in their business relations with those who are not gamblers. and are generally progressive and public spir- ited. But that fact cannot alter the other universally recognized fact tha: gambling is vicious in itself
 one of the worst things about it and the one which perhaps more than any other has contributed to the growing animosity against the practice is that it naturally attracts group of hangers on. technically classi- fled as ''tin horns" 'boosteIs" and ''pimps," wko constitute a most un slightly. ulcerous growth upon the com munity.
 No doubt many who might stand fof gambling in itself or who might suf- | fer it for its license fees are determined to remove this growth and next Tues | day will apply the knife to the whole | I,