The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 72, July 1968 - April, 1969 Page: 398
498 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Southwestern Historical Quarterly
of 1807 outlawed "A. B. C." and "E. 0." tables, billiard tables, "row-
ley-powley" tables, rouge-et-noir, faro, or any other table or game
in which money or property could be won or lost."
Perhaps no southern state formulated and passed a more compre-
hensive anti-gambling law than did Georgia in its act of February 29,
1764. It, of course, was based upon English statutes. The act forbade
lotteries in which chance played a part, that is, the use of dice, lots,
cards, numbers, figures, or tickets, whether they be drawn from a
box or a wheel. It proscribed wagering at cards, dice, and tables. It
stipulated that vendors of liquor must not, under penalty of law,
permit any gaming with cards, dice, draughts, shuffleboards, billiard
tables, ninepins, or with any other games or implements of gambling.
It instructed constables and justices of the peace to enforce the act.
By 1819 revisions modernized the earlier statute. Among these was
one which provided fine or imprisonment for keepers of disorderly
houses in which were encouraged idleness, drinking, and gaming.12
Maryland's criminal code forbade "E. O." tables and any other tables
at which the games of "Pharo, Equality," or any game of chance was
played for money."
With the close of the War of 1812 and the growth of migration
westward, gambling followed new frontiers, so that it became neces-
sary, if only for appearance's sake, for new states to draft and enact
legislation against the evils of gaming. The third session of the
Illinois legislature prohibited the bringing of playing cards, dice, bil-
liard balls, or any other gambling device into the state. Indiana's gov-
ernor, speaking of gambling in 1829, fumed that "there is no offense
in our penal code, which is more frequently committed; and no vio-
lation of law which escapes with such general license and impunity."
A judge found the "besetting sin of early members of the bar to be
intemperance and gambling," and said that "about nine-tenths of the
members of the bar were slaves and victims of these vices.""'1
1Laws of the State of New Jersey (Trenton, 1821), 267-269; William P. Van Ness and
John Woodworth (eds.), Laws of the State of New-York, Revised, 1874-z813 (2 vols.; Al-
bany, 1813), I, 152-154; Harry Toulmin (comp.), Digest of Laws of Alabama (Cahawba.
1823), 378.
12Horatio Marbury and William H. Crawford (eds.), Digest of the Laws of the State
of Georgia ... (Savannah, 1802), 248-253; Augustus S. Clayton, The Office and Duty
of a Justice of the Peace, and a Guide to Clerks, Constables, Coroners, Executors, Ad-
ministrators, Guardians, Sheriffs, Tax-Collectors, and Receivers, and other Civil Officers,
According to the Laws of the State of Georgia . .. (Milledgeville, 1819), 190.
"Virgil Maxcy, Laws of Maryland . . . (3 vols.; Baltimore, 1811), III, 465.
14B. Carlyle Buley, The Old Northwest Pioneer Period, 18z5-1840 (2 vols.; Indianap-
olis, 1950), I, 368, 370o-371. Other governors spoke against gambling. See, for example,
the Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, D. C.), November 4, 1835, which quotes298
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 72, July 1968 - April, 1969, periodical, 1969; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117146/m1/352/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.