The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-07-22
FISH OF ONE AND
FOWL OF THE OTHER

"A bunch of young men were caught
gambling last night by the city mar
shall. Some of them gave bond and
skipped, others faced the recorder
this morning and paid their fines.
1T was my intention to publish the
rames Of the parties. Pressure that
: can't very well resist has been
brought to bear, so the names are left
out. know most of the young men
who were caught. Personally, I be-
heve they are all, or nearly all, good
sports, and would take their arrest,
and publication of it. just like they
would the loss of a stake-as part of
the game.
However, they were breaking the
law, and it is as much the duty of
this paper to publish their names as
to publish the name Of man who is
caught selling whisky
There is certain news don't believe
in publishing / don't believe in pub
fishing the names of women and girls
who become entangled in some minor
case. see no use in printing the
names of people who are caught
speeding, or such insignificant mat
tiers, because to do so would come
pretty near reprinting the city direc-
tory every twelve months. OF course,
these people don't think they are do
ing wrong, and won't think so unless
they kill or cripple some one, or are
crippled themselves.
But above that line, the people are
entitled to be told what happens.
They pay for the news and they
should have it. A few people will be
gratified this evening in not seeing
certain names in print. Several thou
and viii say the Star hasn't done its
duty.
Gambling is becoming wide
spreading evil in Ocala.- 1t is not only
making trouble at home, but it is
giving the city an evil name all over
the state. The boys last night were
not doing any great harm, and most
Of them pass the matter off as a joke.
But there is worse going on, and
had hoped too see it partly il not en-
tirely suppressed. 1t is not to be ex-
pected that gentlemen won't get to-
gether some times and have social
game. If they play square, outside
of the bad example they set, no one
car seriously object to their doing so.
But, all the same, they break the law,
and if they are caught they should be
better sports than to come to news
paper and ask it to keep their names
out of print.
The people of this town have a
E certainty so thick that You
&6I k it with knife that there is
ofganized gang of gamblers
NANs here. 1t is known that men
H8ide the town have been rop-
swindled out of large sums.
Unfortunately, gambling is virtually
protected by law. 1t is almost impos-
sible to prove it. Any bunch of men
or ordinary intelligence can keep
themselves from being found out
unless some lucky fluke throws them
into the hands of the law. Yet, if the
officers open and keep up against
them a vigorous campaign, they can't
carry on their operations to any
great extent
The most powerful aid the officers
of the law can have in breaking ur
crime Is the publicity and approval 81
a fearless newspaper. have always
tried to edit such paper. | have nc
desire to edit a homeless sheet filled
with society slush and boost stuff
one that refers with amusing sarcasm
to misdeeds of poor men, and carefully
shields those who have money and in.
fiuence. 1t is the common plea that