The Washington herald., 1907-03-22
Bridge Whist a Felony? 4?

Bridge Whist a Felony?
BY an almost unanimous vote. one branch
of the Utah legislature has passed a bill
making the playing of bridge whist for
prize a felony punishable by imprison-
ment Ia the penitentiary from two to FIVE
years. We are not surprised TO read that
'the bin was opposed by many society
women, who Iobbied against its passage"
We note with interest. also, that "should
the bin pass. It is certain to receive Gov.
Cutters signature, as it is one Of mis- pet
measures. The further information Is
vouchsafed that tthe governor is a Nor
mon. and. although he is not a polyga-
mist, there are persons in Salt Lake City
who say the bin was inspired by apostles
Of the Church of Latter-day Saints with
many wives, who became financially en-
harrassed through the losses at cards Of
their several better halves
Many great reforms, financial social,
Industrial moral. and educational, have
started in the West and been laughed to
scorn for a season in the effote East, but
in the end they have swept over US We
are not surprised, therefore, that this
latest effort of the rude but courageous
men OF Utah TO check the bridge-whist
craze is being sneered at by Eastern law
makers and molders of public opinion,
For example, Speaker Wadsworth. Of the
New York legislature, could hardly be-
neve the news from the Utah capital"
and then added Should similar law
become operative in this State We should
have TO build women's prisons. I fear in
every city and town TO accommodate the
offenders, If the courts really acted in
conformity with the law. To-day, I think,
there are but two hundred woman Grim
inals incareerated IN the State prisons,
but judging from the tens Of thousands.
be daily and nightly playing bridge whist
the State would 90 bankrupt providing
cells for them"
A man of the cloth. Rev. Dr. A. s.
Gregg, who has charge OF the crusade at
Albany against race-horse gambling.
seemed pleased with the information
from Utah. Listen to his testimony:
Wherever travel ] am met with the
question, why do you not go at bridge
whist and Wan street? Smash them. and
then we VIII help you in your fight
against race-horse gambling. Aud then
the ladies themselves have observations
to submit on this important matter Mrs.
Dore Lyon. president Of the National Arts
Club of New York City. declares women
have gone whist mad. According to her.
they play in the morning. and in the
afternoon, and in the evening. Mrs.
Charlotte Wilbur does not play bridge
whist herself. but she fears it is a game
that excites and absorbs. and thereby is
detrimental TO health. She has also been
told that lit has destroyed domestic hap
piness in several instances. On the other
hand we have the evidence OF Mrs.
Thomas j. Vivian another New York
clubwoman. that it is a delightful game.
and in no way disturbs the peace of
homes and husbands. so far as she has
been able to observe. Moreover, she thinks
most men prefer to have their wives
play bridge. as il makes for enjoyment
and helps to pass many hours Mrs
George E. Tilden, Of Boston. has her own
view of what is and what ought TO be-
Il wonder how it is about poker?' she
injuries Gh hlAgdliNs lOu NUNlN never near
of a body of men passing laws against
that game. would you? But Iei women
get Httle interested in a gamble Of
their own, and then the men must needs
make more laws to break; and I hope the
women win break EN- and make their
husbands pay their felony fines. Wouldn't
that be a nice way to get even3'
Indeed it would. madam II would be
Just the proper thing to do. We may have
some views of our own upon this subject
but We withhold them for the present
We are confident that the ladies' can be
depended upon 10 keep the discussion at
white heat Whether the game Is played
in this town much or little, we shall not
state. Once a year the American people
send here a body of men ito exercise ex-
elusive legislation, in all cases whatso-
ever. over such District" meaning the
District Of Columbia. Far be ii from Us to
make trouble for Congressi 1t is the
function of another TO report to Congress
from time TO time on the state of the
Union.