El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-07-19
WHAT MIRACLE is THIS. TO MAKE
SAINTS OF 1888 Ell PASOANS?

nFALLY the politicians VIII have the folks if
n they smile JUS. little and then, all perfectly
good natey of course because anybody is pleased to
win point IN game. Now just lately the politicians,
feeling the pressure OF events have demonstrated pret
the ease with which public gambling and road houses can
be closed when officials charged with responsibility for
enforcing the law get idea that It is time to sip under
cover
few DAYS ago, gambling was running in many places
in FL Paso according Information that appears worthy
Of some cedence and it running openly with little
or no effort being made 60 the trails OF keep out
Of the public and official eye
Then a few pointed hints were given publicity, and
things began to 90 at once
From some more OF less mysterious place telephone
messages went out and presto most OF the gambling places
closed their doors.
couple Of days later the few remaining received
their cue, and they too shut up shop.
Until few nights ago, according to the sheriff. at least
two road houses running in the county and he him
self saws that the road the drtest nasest
places in the county
But again in some mysterious way, the word vent out
from somewhere to somebody and presto, the road houses
closed and in some mysterious way there IS accom-
pshed exactly what the sheriff says he has been unable
to do quotes the advice Of half dozen Of the lead
ing lawyers and public officials to sustain him IN his
position.
Can be possible that there is some Power in Fl Paso
county that above the sheriff. above the chief OF police
and the city detectives and the prosecutors and all the
grand representatives, of this imperial commonwealth
It reads a little like some Of these Chinese yellow
hand stories n the dine magazines.
It Is positively uneznuy.
Nobody can do anything about anything everybody ad-
mits he is poweTless and yet when campaign up
ts candidate begins talk about enforcing the
law, behold tins Power whatever it Is, blows its fingers
and the criminals scury their holes and the is
forthwith pronounced @the eeanest It has been IN its
history"
What's the answer?
Can It be possible that any public official himself has
any personal interest in opening closing any place Of
questionable resort7
Can it be possible that appointed OF elected official
IN this city county actually profits any way from the
opening closing Of gambling joints road houses?
Can 1t Be possible that any professional gambler
any person interested in the profits of open gambling IN
FL PasO re any person interested in road houses
bOoteggng narcotic drug Peddng houses of pros
tuition has any influence political organizer, such that
Office holders and Office seekers fear him and toady to
hn2
'Squser, little Jimmy says.
Reminds Of 1904. In November that year SO gam
bling houses running vide open Some folks held
meeting and petitioned the sheriff to close them That
was Friday night. Saturday afternoon the sheriff an
nouneed in The Herald that gambling would close at mid
night It closed and the old came to an ena-just
like that.
The truth IS that very small minority IN any com
unty Is responsible for al the dirty work It usually
pretty vel organized, while the great majority which is
honest and decent and wants clean town. generally