The Donaldsonville chief., 1922-08-19
The Chiefs Attitude ON Race Track
Gambling.
Houma, La, Aug. 16, 1922.

! Gambling.
| Houma, La, Aug. 16, 1922.
Editor, Chief, Donaldsonville, La.
Ny Dear Mr.. Editor-I am under
obligations to you for the favor of
marked copy of your issue of Aug.
l2, commenting on my recent article
discussing race-track gambling, IA
naticism, etc.
1t is a genuine pleasure to me to
know that the impressions gathered
from your initial article, were not an
accurate reflex of your real attI-
tude towards anti-race gambling leg
islatlOn and those who lent it their
support.
| assure you than | had supposed
that had correctly interpreted your
article. However, QUE English Ian
guage is such that the printed words
though perfectly plain in their mean
ing to the author, frequetly appear
to mean something "entirely differ
ent' to the reader.
| In my article, response was made
to the meaning that seemed clear to
me, as a reader of the article quoted
from. Your statement that that
meaning was not in mind, taken in
|
were a supporter of the legislation, is,
of course, rinal and convincing; and |,
| therefore, regret that | should have
appeared to vlace your excellent jour
nal in an attitude which you had not
| intended.
Your position as supporter Of
antl-race-track gambling had not
come to my knowledge. Not being a
subscriber and not having had your
attitude quoted to me, you will readi-
ly understand why | was not fami-
liar with your sentiments. Of course,
that was my misfortune rather than
your fault.
In my reading of your first article,
did not attach so much Importance
to the adjective "meritorious,' since
lit is the nnquestioned prerogative of
every citizen to assay, as his ludg-
nent may see it, every proposed legia
latlve matter, either as with, or with
out merit.
1t was the expression, urged on by
fanatlcs,' that particularly attracted
my attention.
Reading the article as a whole, it
seemed natural to conclude that this
expression was levelled at the advo-
Gates or supporters of the measure.
1t was to that sentiment that my arti-
Gle was addressed.
As [ have already said, l am glad
to know that mistook your meaning,
and to learn that your sympathies
were with those of US who stood for |
this badly needed legislation.
AS pointed out in my article, an !
analysis of our support demonstrates |
the existence of decisively prepon- |
derent sentiment against commercial |
lied race-track gambling, in practical |
ly every section Of rural Louisiana.
In large areas, this sentiment is found |
to have crystaliized to the point of |
practical unanimity.
While the measure failed of final |
passage in the House, it is, neverthe- |
less, matter of common knowledge |
to its friends who were on the ground |
that it's passage was only prevented
through the medium of an artful and
persistent use of delay and filibuster.
A measure awakening such wide
spread approval cannot be listed
among the dead. That which public
sentiment and the moral sense Of our
population demands, will continue to
live and yet be perfected into writ
ten law"
Again regretting that should have
misinterpreted your well intended
comment upon the legislative session,
and hoping that the future may hold
for us both a better acquaintance, l.
am, as ever,
Sincerely yours,
ROBT. B. BUTLER.