The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-03-15
SHERIFF WAS THE SINNER

Evidence is accommodating that the
sheriff of Palm Beach county IS re-
sponsible for the failure to bring the
Beach Club gamblers to justice. IN
the first place, it is a sen-eVlaen1
fact that such an institution couldn't
flourish without the connivance Oh tne
authorities. A sheriff determined TO
do his duty, with the governor to
back him. would make the existence
of such place 50 precarious that IT
wouldn't find it profitable to exist
IF the governor will tie can on
the present incumbent and pm
badge on a man he can depend on-a
Manifested, ax-swinging church dea-
con. IL one exists in that county-a
man who will persist in walking into
the Reach Club at any time he sees
AZ and will see fit a half dozen
times or more week, the Bradley
brothers will soon seek a more salu-
brious cline. Such an official may
not suit the people of Palm Beach
county who profit by the existence OF
4 Monte Carlo in their midst. But
he will suit those who believe in law
and order and the good name OF
Florida. and if these are in the min
oritv in Palm Beach county, there
are plenty out in the state to back
them.
The Jacksonville State says OF tins
affair:
First steps have been taken tx
wipe out the system which has pre-
vailed in Palm Beach county, wner'
the Bradleys have conducted gam
bling place for nearly quarter OF
century in defiance of the laws OF tn
state. The operations have been o.
such mammoth scale that It
thought the Bradleys clear approx
inately half a million dollars an
nually.
While the raid was a frost in $
far as getting witnesses, especlall
the principal ones, it appears no
that the governor has sufficient ev
dence before him upon which to r.
move the sheriff, and, with the r1gf
man as sheriff, the club cannot Of
crate.
j. e. Burgess, head of the Metrc
politan Detective Agency, who doc
the detective work for Governt
Trammell. engineered the coup ar
deserves much credit for his wor
and had he been given cooperation (
the sheriff the situation would pr
sent q different phase.
The Beach Club is most exclusl'
institution, members only being pc
mitted to play, and members must
vouched for by other members,
Floridians being permitted IN the !
stitution. Mr.. Burgess secured u
services of Theodore Bauer, your
business man from Paris, whose bus
ness connections enabled him to mi
ole with the fast set at the celebrs
ed winter resort, and as result o
tanned a membership card in t
Bradley club, and for fortnlg
gained all of the information desire
himself participating in the games.
After all of the evidence was G
tanned. warrants and subpoenas we
issued and placed in the hands OF 7
sheriff, but when the raid was mat
instead of finding gambling, dan
was in progress but, OF course,
one would accuse the sheriff or z
ping the Bradleys.
The roulette IdDl6S are 81 dl1oA 8
that one may quickly be turned II
a dining table and another folds II
the wall and upon a moments not
the fine hall may be turned from
gambling hell into ball room.
The Bradley interests at "a
Beach are operated in such a v
that politics and business conditiC
are controlled by them, which nal
It hard for the right men to be ele
ed. but now that the sheriff has G.
Quoted himself in such manner
appears there is opportunity for y
ernor Trammell to remove him
appoint in his stead man who n
be trusted to enforce the laws
Florida.
Governor TrammeH is to be &C
mended for his work In this beglnn
Of the breaking up of the Palm Be
neutrality-suspicious. machine, and
Burgess of the detective agency
rendered splendid service
Another strange part about
matter was the fact that while
sheriff had the subpoenas for the
nesses. four of the principal one
the ones who had participated IN
play-were allowed to get out
town before being served with