THE SPIELERS' ENCOURAGEMENT ACT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 517, 26 May 1909, Page 9

THE SPIELERS' ENCOURAGEMENT ACT.

: " Sir,—Tlio community at largo is indebted • to you for your articlo. exposing the evil in- ' iluonco exercised by the Government in manui factoring, criminals. lam sure that the evil : results ensuing are not exaggerated, There is "honour among thieves," and the disgrace attaching to failing to pay betting debts through want of tlio wherewithal is constantly tempting mon to steal in hopes of being ablo to recover the -situation and to plungo deeper into criminal' practices. After perusing your quotation and considering the purpose to which the remarks applied, one is tempted to apply ltuskin's,words from "Unto this Last," and to request "any Christian reader to think within himself what an entirely, damned state of soul any human creature must have got into who could read with acceptance such a sentence as this, much . moro write it." ■ ' ■ ... ■ : What is all.this for? Is it to carry out a policy of national importance to produce honest, law : abiding and industrious citizens or to confer some great and substantial benefit on the community? Not at all. In effect, the Government says to the racing committees, yoU ] shall, from tho crowd of spielers and rascals select such of the most undesirablo as you can find, and you shall license them to attend on the racecourses in order that our sons and your sons shall bo-able to Ramblo with them and; ruin themsolves and .toeir. relatives, .if. they are weak enough to do so, and if.you do riot wo will punish you! Can this be the'attitude-of tho same gentleman who has recently so gratified us by his admirable efforts for prison and prisoners', reform?.. Can it be that the Good Samaritan who .succoured tho man who fell- among thievo3 ; was really in collusion with the gang,, and that the twopence ho gave the innkeeper for the poor'man's maintenance was .really a part of what ho had been robbed?:: ;■.-. ■'■■-;• ■'J*fc the Attorney-General devote his hiah .Office,and -great abilities to reforming spielers by all means. Wo know on good authority.; that there will be joy-in Heaven over one spieler, that repents. And who can tell, sir, may.'even be' joy in Heaven -over thei yepentence of ono politician who, realisinc m his heart of hearts what is'honourable and right,, refuses to lend-, himself toaotivoly promoting, an unholy and evil Institution which no honest, man can consistently •support.—l am,-etc., . , .'x -May 25.'/ . ''-',' ■'['■]',■ ''~'.''."