Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-02-04

AFTER THE
GAMBLERS

I
ducting a gambling game and citet
10 appear In the county court at II
O'Clock this morning to answer TO the
charge. The sheriff, accompanied by
his deputy, Robert Dale and Marsha
Wickline made round OF the saloons
but all was quiet Later the sheriff
entered the Oriental and found 0 rou
lette wheel in operation, The arrest
Of Mr.. Link and confscation of the
wheel followed.
This morning Mr.. Link appeared be-
| fore Judge Clements In company with
sheriff Clark. An Indictment prepared
by the district attorneys office alleg-
ing of gambling games in the place
conducted by Mr.. Link was read. At
The conclusion of the reading Mr.. Link
plead guilty 10 the cahrge. The court
thereupon gave Mr.. Link an oppor-
tunity of making any statement he de-
sired. Mr. Link replied by throwing
himself on the mercy of the court,
stating that he was guilty and no use
OF denying the charge, but he thought
there were extenuating circumstances
that gambling had been going on
continuously in four or FIVE houses
for some time and that some houses
had conducted gambling under cover
the past year and half; that II rival
concerns could run gambling without
being molested he thought he had the
same right and opened publicly two or
three days previous to being arrested;
that he had not conducted any pri-
yate games or violated the law in any
respect: that he had obeyed the, mid
night closing law and he could see
no reason why he should be selected
for persecution.
The court replied that the request
for clemency would not receive the
same consideration as, though this
was the first offense, but that the
records OF the court showed that he
had been before the same court with
IN year pleading guilty to the same
charge.
Mr., Link replied that he had not
plead guilty before; that he denied
any connection with the game con-
Quoted at the time OF the former ar
rest and that he had stood trial and
when found guilty asked for new trial,
~. Al.
party responsible for the game paid
he fine and costs assessed, and that
this was his first offense and know
ing he was guilty plead guilty to save
both himself and the county costs.
The court stated that II Mr.. Link
would file information he believed the
sheriff would arrest others guilty OF
conducting gambling; that 1t was the
duty of the officers to enforce the law
and II they failed in this impeachment
could follow; that he believed the
sheriff would not play any favoritism
and that 1t was the duty of every one
to furnish the sheriff with information
where the law was being violated.
Mr.. Link replied that he did not de-
sire to cast any aspersions on the
sheriff; that In arresting him he had
simply done his duty as he was guilty,
but his place had resumed gambling
for reasons stated before.
Judge Clements thereupon passed
sentence, hning Mr.. Link $3.50 and
costs, the latter amounting to 324.50,
making a total OF $174.50. and in de-
fault OF payment to be confined in
Jail thirty days.
Mr.. Link asked for time TO arrange
the payment. The court said he could
make any arrangements satisfactory
with the sherin.
The minimum fine for violation Of
the gambling law is $50 and the maxi
mum $500. also Jail sentence in the
discretion OF the court. In conversing
| with the court later intimation was
given that future violation of the
gambling law might result In the full
penalty being inflicted.
1t has been charged many times
that private gambling games have
been going on in Durango. The Her
aid called the attention Of Sheriff
Thompson TO the charge on different
| occasions last summer but he was
never able TO locate the games. stat
ing that under conditions existing the
offenders were tipped" when danger
approached. Whether certain saloons
have been conducting private gam
bling rooms the writer cannot state
but the charge. is made that OF late
four or Ave places have been running
and that one looking for either fare
Oh roulette could be accommodated
It IL also street talk that those mos'
guilty aad alleged = hare besa 80