¶1 The object of the act of 1798, ch. 19, was to suppress excessive gaming, and also to remove the temptations to “ idleness and dissipation,” as these contributed to the main vice. The act therefore forbids the use of “ gaming tables,” generally, with a proviso, that it should not extend to billiard tables until the first *293 day of April, then ensuing. The act of 1804, ch. 31, tolerates the use of billiard tables, but imposes a tax upon that use. By that act, every man -«who “ erects and keeps” a billiard table, is made liable to the tax. The Legislature seems to have considered the use of the billiard table as conducive to idleness and dissipation, as well as a mean by which excessive gaming was promoted. We are therefore of opinion that judgment should be entered for the Defendant.
5 N.C. 291
Sears v. . West
Supreme Court of North Carolina
Decided July 5, 1809
Supreme Court of North Carolina · decided 1809-07-05
1 From Craven. This was an action of 'trespass, to recover damages from the Defendant for haying taken out of tfye possession of the Plaintiffs a billiard table. The Plaintiffs were the owners of the table, which, previous to the first day of April, 1807, they caused to be erected in the town of> Newborn, at their own expense; not for any purpose of emolument, or to be employed as a gaming table, but for their private and individual amusement.
Decided 1809-07-05