The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1914-02-12
GAMBLING IN EVERETT

Last week we printed a letter from
a subscriber who objected to the open
gambling going on in Everett He
mentioned two names in such way
as to lead one to suppose that the
gentlemen named were running gamb-
lers' resorts as means of living-off
their neighbors. He declared that he
wanted it distinctly understood that
he was no loser" only he had bills
coming from at least three parties"
who had gambled and left him "an
empty hand"
Had our correspondent been an
apologist for or a believer in the capi-
talist system, which is gambling
game from start to finish, with the
working-class playing always against
loaded dice, we should not have pub
Ilished the communication. No man
who votes for the continuance Of the
present system of production for pro-
fits can complain of gambling on
moral grounds. Our correspondent
claimed to be a Socialist. AS such he
may consistently oppose all forms of
gambling.
On the other hand, any preacher,
any wife or mother, son or daughter,
Christian or atheist, who votes pro-
gressive, republican or democratic
ticket, votes for gambling; for the
gambling away of not merely a few
paltry dollars, but for criminal
gambling in precious human souls, and
on a colossal scale.
Socialists are opposed to all forms
of gambling, on practical grounds. But
the editor of this paper refuses to be-
come excited over friendly game of
cards in some private club room, or in
a cigar store parlor.
AS an individual the editor scorns
both cards and gambling. He regards
cards as toys for people who do not
know enough to intelligently converse
on interesting topics. Gambling, in
his eyes, is strictly heathen's past
time Witness the Chinaman's passion
for all forms of gambling, and the lure
of games of chance for savages and
children, and for all ignorant people.
If we must have gambling games,
and it seems that the superstitious,
the idle-brained, society ladies, and
thoughtless people generally must
have something of this nature to keep
them from boring each other to death
with their mutual stupidity; then let's
have it openly and above board for all
classes of people who don't know any
better; for the wealth-makers as well
as for the wealth-takers; in the public
club rooms and entertainment parlors
of the workers as well as in the club
houses of leading citizens" or the
elegant homes of our "best society,""
busy at "an evening of bridge whist"
and empty, silly prattle, or vicious
gossip.
OF course we quite understand that
it is a financial hardship on merch-
ants to have for creditors poor wage
slaves who wish to indulge in the di-
versions of their betters." But let
us be honest about the whole matter
and admit that what is objected to is
not gambling open or closed, but wit
Messing the fall of good hard cash that
we would like to throw into our own
greedy cash registers falling into the
kitty" of the other fellow.
Fancy a supporter of the CHASTITY
capitalist system grieving over the
immortality" of gambling!
Besides, the goody-goody people of
Everett deserve nothing better than
what they're getting. Are they not
getting just what they voted for?
Everett was honored not long since
by having for councilmen three Social
list statesmen - for Socialists are
statesmen, not mere politicians.
What's the difference? Simply this:
A Socialist office-holder is out to see
what he can do for the state, while a
capitalist politician is out to see what
the state can do for him.
Nobody in Everett denies that the
Socialist councilmen performed their
labors honestly and efficiently. Ev-
erybody admits that there was no
grating, no winking at overt infrac-
tions of the laws and ordinances, no
unjust determinations, no incompet-
ency
Why did the voters OF Everett vote
these honest men out and the pres
ent incumbents in?
Have they not received just what
they voted for?
Now they're preparing to call for a
grand jury, and graft and crime and
scandal have been and are now the
chief topics OF conversation on street