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2 Morr. St. Cas. 1041

Sharkey v. State

Mississippi Supreme Court

Decided July 1, 1872

Mississippi Supreme Court · decided 1872-07-01

Henry, J. M. 0. Sharkey was indicted in the circuit court of Attala, for betting with one Matthews on the result of the election for electors for President and Yiee-President of the Hnitéd States, held in the state of Kentucky, in November, 1856. The defendant demurred to the indictment, and his demurrer being overruled, he excepted, and sued out this writ of error. It is not a violation of the statute to bet on the result of an election to be held in another state.

Decided 1872-07-01

Handy, J.:

¶1This was an indictment for betting money in this state upon the result of the last Presidential election,- held- in the state of-Kentucky.

¶2The objection to the indictment is, that the offense charged is not within the mischief intended to be prohibited by the statute upon which it is founded; that the statute intended to suppress the practice of betting upon elections to be held in this state, the tendency of which was to produce undue excite*1042ment amongst onr citizens, and improper interference -with the elective franchise.

¶3But this, though it may have been an evil intended to be prevented, is manifestly not the primary object of the statute. The statute was passed “ to discourage and suppress gaming,” and its provisions are directed against gaming, or wagering, or betting money, in various forms, and amongst others, “upon the result of any election, of any kind whatever.” It is, therefore, the bettvng money in this state which was intended to be punished, though the subject-matter of the bet might not be within the limits of the state.

¶4.• Upon this view, the judgment of the court below sustained the Indictment; and it must be affirmed.

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