Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1917-02-23

execute the MANDATES OF the execu-
tive committee of the organization,
which, in secret council, decided
whether men affiliated with the ban
dts should die or be banished from
the territory.
Statesman of the territory thought
they had effected a reform when they
licensed gambling. 1t was contended
that the license would put the gamb-
lers under official supervision and
enable the officers to refuse license
to those who did not conduct
square" games.
A few years later the reformers
decided hat some of the games were
operated on a percentage too much
in favor of the dealer. There was a
legislative investigation. The states
men decided that roulette was one
of the games at which the player had
less chance to win than in the others.
The gambling law was amended, and
roulette, blackjack, craps, and sever
al other games of chance were put
on the retired list.
Sign of the Square Gambler.
The proprietor of the gambling
house was authorized to put a sign
outside the door of his establishment.
1t bore the two words, Licensed
Gambling" This meant that he was
a square gambler, sanctioned to oper-
ate by law. This law was in effect
until about twenty years ago.
In those days the gambling house
operated on the first floor. The
gambler was a recognized institution
He wore the best clothes obtainable
and held his head as high as any OF
his fellows.
Then came the reform movement
which moved the game upstairs. Il
was contended by the reformers tha'
the musical click sof the chips wa'
too much of an allurement for thu
man who had the gambling mania.
Finally gambling was abolished
That is to say, it was made unlawful
Officially there was no gambling
After that it all depended on tn
county attorney and the sheriff.
Controlled a County.
In one memorable election tn
gamblers secured control of the Off
cial machinery of one of the grea
counties of the state. This was fol
lowed by the organization of a gamt
- IlIk LIubL, WulCh OpC ldIOu DC q
houses. Attempt to open houses b
gamblers not members of the truf
net with prosecution. The trus
thrived for foul years, and those bac
of it made a colossal fortune.
Then there was the racing er;
e Marcus DAILY started racing on a hi
o scale in the state. 1t a pure spol
with him. He built great racin
plants at Butte and Anaconda. A
ter he passed away the game fell int
"a the hands of professionals to a lars
d extent. Finally 1t was put in til
black books of the state.
70 In Butte especially, racing hel
IL thousands in it's thrall. In the late
G years even the women would thron
the betting ring, eager to place the
money.
Prize fighting flourished, wane
a and went down the dark road
oblivion. Fortunes were made OIL
d of the money slot machines befol
o the reformers got busy.
q Time was in Montana when hors
Q or cattle stealing Was a capital o
tense, not on the statutes, but in tn
invisible books of the unwritten Law
There have been many reforms /
Montana since the days of Henr
II Plummer, high sheriff of the teri
y y tory, and overload of the bandit
u But all these reformations date bac
!, to the golden days when the bal
tender of Virginia City could NJ
. hold a job in the better class plac
: If he wore long finger nails.