The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-11-11
DEALS GAMRL1NG ORDINANCE.

DEALS GAMBLING OKDINANCE.
In the guise of an amendment offered
by Councilman Deal. at the session of
the Council held Tuesday night, the
Spearing ordinance, entertained to its
first reading by this body at meeting
in October. has been nullifed. at least
as it was designed to operate against
gamblers
As reported in the official publication
of the Councils session, the Deal ordi-
nance should not have been considered
as an amendment to the Spearing ordi-
nance, then pending on its second and
third and final reading and passage.
Whatever amendments were offered
should have been incorporated, if adopt
ed, in the Spearing ordinance, which
was before the Council confermabIe to
its rules, and, as amended, it was sub
iect to approval or defeat. The Deal
ordinance, as interposed, should have
been declared out Of order, as it was as
a substitute, practically new ordinance,
and should have been delayed for action
thirty days in accordance with the rules
Of the Council.
From the Caacasian's view and un-
derstanding Of the proceedings. the val
idity of the Deal ordinance is question
able, but there can be no nisgivings or
doubt as to its being farce, and it may
be construed as a discredit, if not slap
at the face Of society which has and
will continue to indulge in social games
Of cards at their homes, regardless of
the Deal ordinance.
It is surprising that the councilmen,
if in minority, who are recorded as
favoring the suppression of gamblers
and gambling, as construed by all sensi-
bic men and as being responsive to the
intent of the Constitution which de-
clares that gambling is vice and laws
shall be enacted to suppress it. did not
demonstrate against this Deal ordinance
but accepted it unanimously and with
acclaim.
As it had been the talk on the streets
that the Spearing ordinance was to be
defeated or SO amended as to render it
ineffective, in its operation against gam
bling and The tin horn" gambler, any
amendment or suggestion coming from
tbs other side, with gold bearing gifts
as it were, should have been received
with suspicion, but it would seem that
there are times when good men may be
tnisled under the influence of an inn
pulse. Had single councilman raised
a finger against the Deal ordinance, the
cloven foot would have been visible at
a glance.
Why should there be any opposition
to any ordinance designed to prohibit
and suppress gambling, as 1t IS gener-
ally understood TO BEG vice which the
Constitution Of this State has deereed
must be suppressed-the gambling as
practieed BY professional gamblers and
the fraternity of tin horns having lit
tie if any conscientious scruples, whose
only aim Is 10 win, fair or foul, by en-
tieing if possible the unwary victim,
when when in the game has as much
chance OF winning as a cricket of living
Ia q pen of hungry turkey gobblers.
On its face the Deal ordinance is
specific. Il shah be unlawful for any
person to gamble with cards Of any de-
scfiption, or engage in any gambling
game, with cards Of any description, IN
she City of Shreveport. for money or
Of money, or anything
+ value. fer which are penalties for
IS violation. but 4 IS not declared to Be
crime 10 gansble Ia other games, and
therefore, the gambler and The tin horn
nay Il s. disposed play at any game