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i I j 1 1 1 PLUCKY BETTING MAN WINS AGAINST POLICE. In London, a mouth or so back, police inspector Hamilton attended by two policemen, raided the j home of a betting commissioner named Webb, on the allegation that it was used for betting purposes. Tbe average Englishman has a pretty well defined idea of bis personal right- and is tenaciously ready to tight for them. Webb brought suit against Hamilton for malicious trespass, asking damages. He proved conclusively that no betting bad taken place iu bis bouse in the time and manner alleged. The upshot of the case was that the jury gave him a judgment for ,000 damages. The case was one attracting considerable attention and in commenting on the verdict. London Snorting Life of October 27, "A grave injustice was done to Mr. Webb, and the judge endorsed the view of the jury that there was an absence of reasonable and probable cause for tbe action which was taken. It would be a great mistake even to suggest that tbe very damaging disclosures which were made during tbe bearing of the rase of the methods adopted by some represen- i tatives of tbe law can in any way be taken as an indictment against the police force. We believe that f tbe standard of purity, equity and justice of tbe police of London is higher than in any otber great city , in the world. Mistakes are made, but we are con- , vinced that malevolence is very rarely sbo.wn. Even in the police force, bowever, there has been in the past a tendency to strain, unconsciously wo think, the law against the bookmaker. The influence of the anti-betting section of tbe community has been allowed to darken the vision and color the outlook of those who are responsible for tbe administration of the law. The bookmaker has been made tbe butt of tbe so-called reformer who has been allowed an inordinate latitude, both in speech and action to such an extent that not only a .section of tbe police, but some judges and magistrates have adopted an attitude quite incompatible with their duties as administrators, and quite inimical to tbe rights of the bookmaker as a citizen. It is time that the sort of persecution which has been going on should be stopped. Tbe turf commission agent is carrying on a perfectly legal calling, and lie Is just as much entitled to protection and justice from tbe law as any other member of tbe community. The reason that be is getting less than fair play is largely because be has been inclined to take to much of what is thinljvvciled persecution lying down. Bookmakers generally are indebted to Mr. Webb for the stand be has taken in the case, out of which be has come triumphant, and we trust that the lesson wbicb the jurys verdict teaches will not be lost on either the polfee or the public."
