One hundred years ago
THE GENTLEMEN who wish to put down gambling by law, and especially to restrict it at horse-races, had an inter- view on Tuesday with Mr. Asquith, but went away rather despondent. He promised, when the law was clear, to carry it out impartially, but pending some decisions now awaited, doubted if the law was clear; pointed to the danger in such matters of going beyond opin- ion; and was energetic in defence of "sport." Mr. Asquith was, in fact, as sen- sible as usual; but what does he mean by saying that "gambling is primarily a matter of local concern"? Surely if the vice is injurious to society, it is injurious everywhere. Suppose the people of Leicester were all in favour of forgery, would Mr. Asquith declare that forgers in Leicester ought to be outside the criminal law? The truth is, that staking money on a chance, like drinking alco- hol, is a practice indifferent in itself, though when immoderately indulged in, most injurious to society. The distinc- tion between its use and abuse is one of degree, not of territorial area.
The Spectator 17 November 1894
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