The Sentinel=record., 1913-03-25

 as they do for the ofrense of gamb- ling.
 This much should be said by way of extenuation or in mitigation of the ac- ton or inaction of the present off eials charged with the duty of en- forcing the law against gambling as well as other crimes. For years and years there has existed a sentiment among many if not a majority of our citizens. some of them our most prom inent business and professional men, that public gambling was necessary for the prosperity of this resort.
 ln many elections, candidates for office. who were known 10 favor gam bling. have been indorsed as the polls and according to the newspapers, most of our present officials werb alleged 10 have been elected on a platform ia yoring restricted club rooms.
 With such public sentiment prev. alent in our community. and with otfi- cials who were apparently elected. he. cause it was believed that they would permit gambling houses to run, 1t is not so surprising that their public ser wants should attempt to give them what they apparently wanted and had apparently voted for, even ii they had to violate their oath Of oIice in order to do 80.
 But while there may have been con siderable public sentiment in favor oi permitting a few veil regulated club houses to run for the entertainment of our visitors. even though 1t be in open violation of the law, there has never been any public sentiment here which would uphold the inveigling and turing of visitors into some Of these dives or club honses, and rob bing them of their last dollar, with out any pretense of fairness or square ness; there has never been any senti- ment here which would stand for the gigantic steals and systematized grand larceny operations of the last few months. there has never been any sentiment which would uphold or con done the turning over of our fair City 10 set of gamblers. crooks. thugs, and thieves, to prey upon our visitors al will
 The world has been astounded by the revelations of wholesale graft and corruption. the partnership between officials and criminals in the City of New York. and other large cities, ot this country during the past year or so.
 Under police protection, larceny, robbery, arson, gambling, and even murder seem to have floa-ished at uill. Anything could be pulled on, provided the officers were fixed.
 The public gambling houses, or gambling houses run under cover. but under the police protection. have been The centers of crime, where were hatci.ed foul murders. robhesies. and gigantic confidence operations of all kinds
 t Was not 10 be hoped that Hot Springs would escape. when other larger cities were pass tue through such an ordeal particularly when 1t was nois- ed abroad that H0s Springs was vide open. this being interpreted, il IS now apparent by the thieves and confidence men. as meaning that the Field was ripe Tor the harvest. that the ptosgerGas visitors we're here ready to be picked, and separated from their money. Confidence men and thieves are likely to impose themselves on any cammuuity for 3 moment. bat the developments ln Hot Springs the past few months point coneiusiyely to the tact that this City was selected as base of regular operation.
 Day alter day the metropolitan press recorded r0baeries and swindles rang. ing su Am0aDss all the way from $500 70 S2a9aa or S30ee0. and it Is highly nsobabie that many Of these robberies were never coE pAaiRed Of Co the law The pecaslae methods of the conf eenee men have. according 10 reports. aared one man f1aa trust imposed 10