Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-02-28
What The
LaWSdysAbout
Betting
Nv EASHINGTON correspondents report that alread
Nv bets being laid on what month the war wi
w other words, how long the infamou

w end. Or in other words how long the infamous
paper-hanger from Austria hold out,
When and how Hitler will wind his wicked existence
is the daily of good many people the face of
the globe In the days of another dictator Napoleon
Bonapare populace felt exactly the way and
then too how long he could last
Private wagers, nowadays, are not crime as many
people seem to think They are merely Illegal which means
your claim in court OF law. But
there time in this country and in England when
wager pretty serious thing You could sue to col
ec from the losing party and If won get court de-
damages.
Which is exactly what happened on a wager made be-
two gentlemen at dinner party on the life OF
Napoleon Bonaparte The suit into court in June
each of the four justices of the Kings Bench
interested enough to write separate opinion
on May 81, 1902, Mark Sykes noted book COL
lector entertained several friends including
Gilbert In the of dinner after the guests
aginations by the best vintages from
Marks cellar discussion as to how long Napo-
leon then First Consul. would last.
Sykes formerly frequent visitor to Paris argued that
Napoleon would washed up in 100 days by which time
would be disposed of by assassination or other violent
means
Gilbert however couldn't agree with his
that Napoleon had the backing of the French people
would be heard of for much longer time AS the dis
waxed each willing to back up his
prediction with cash the line.
Whereupon Gilbert made this offer He would give Sir
100 guineas (about $500 condi-
that he in turn to give Gilbert one guinea about
dollars for every day that Napoleon survived after
O0day period fixed by the host The offer was &C
cepted money passed. the bet Unfortu-
natey for Sir Mark Napoleon didn't die until May s. 1921
Sir Mark, like a good loser made his payments regu-
larry craftsmanship kept growing costher and
Napoleon stronger he ceased payments on December %
He had already paid $2,210 for his bad guess
Gilbert accumulate for eight years and
brought 2296 pounds (about $1lSO
due him time Sykes stopped paying
the suit reached the court England and France
although the law reporter in his introduc-
tory notes comments when the wager was made Bona
parte peace this country though he shortly
after became and at the time OF the action an open
enemy of Kings"
And the Justices didn't believe that any English subject
actaI in tho nIipH
enemy They ruled that the contract as 1t
regarded mischevous in its consequences to the
public and immoral tendency and therefore Goert
couldn't collect
The leading opinion was by the Chief Justice
Lord Peterborough, and his controlling argument has
most contemporary ring Napoleon ne asserted at that
gathering large the opposite coast in
preparation for ar invasion Of England
Every Sunday" he wrote "the minds of our subjects
are kent alive TO this danger The enemy in preserva-
ton Of whose life plaintiff Gilbert thus created
himself year after year might be ready
20 pour this kingdom
And II an invasion come pass His Lordshp felt
ought not TO be in position where he might have
between active duty TO his country and the
365 guneas year which depends upon the life of
the French ruler" He wanted Competition between
the moral duties Which his country and any
individual interest"
The other Judges the Chief Justice
took condemn generally the wagering
snaton foreign poenates and lament that such suits
could be Typical the remaining opinions
Is that o. John Bayey.
Il think The wager" he wrote, both immoral and i'm
polite gives person pecunary interest the
y&lent death Of another interest which he has right
10 e.este by own voluntary ac this when applied
the person foreign potentate is also particularly
impotc because it tends TO create disgust against this
country amongst foreign Totentaes have such subjects
discussed III courts OF law"
II is Indicative Of how prone Englishmcn Of that day
were given betting that than % wager
inc were referred the argument by
In 1888 wagcrs were made illegal thereby doprvinp
tho winner right go court While Justice and
morals doubt the gamers by the step It has made
the law reports less interesting reading