The Saloon That Could Not Be Shamed
Despite police testimony alleging the Madrona Saloon served as a hub for 'bunco' swindlers and card sharks, the Seattle City Council refused to revoke its license.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The hearing of the charges against the Madrona saloon, on South Second street, near Washington, of being the resort of bunco men, gamblers and card sharpers, occupied the city council yesterday. The council concluded the charges were not proved and rejected the petition for a revocation of license. Corporation Counsel Donworth cited that any place to which persons promiscuously resort for practices inimical to public morality is a disorderly house. Detective Cudihee testified he had seen bunco steerers in the saloon throughout the summer, but the defense argued that no specific gambling games were witnessed inside. Chief Jackson admitted he had ordered many of the saloon's frequenters to leave town, but ultimately the council dismissed the case with a vote of 7 to 6.
“A father could not be held accountable for the sins of the son. Under the divine law the son was held accountable for the sins of the father.”
This 1891 debate over 'disorderly' businesses and police oversight echoes modern frustrations with how cities regulate nuisance properties. Just as the council struggled then to define the threshold between a business and a criminal hub, Seattle remains locked in debates over how much power city government should have in shutting down establishments linked to public safety issues.
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