Diary entry written by Meyer Lansky discussing the laws and morals of gambling, unsigned, three pages, lightly lined, 8 x 10.5, no date but circa 1973-1974. In part: "We speak of gambling as though it is a commodity one time, and a sin another time. Saratoga was a great example of how gambling was used as a political hammer to club a few tools to satisfy Kefauver’s desire for the Presidency and Dewey seeking the lamb to protect his innocency. I was picked as the lamb for Dewey. Here in Saratoga it was used for an economic purpose and pleasure. We should know that gambling was first created as a pastime pleasure at first. Later the smart boys turned it in to a lucrative business, business for some; a pleasure for those with control. In order to stop the weaklings that would destroy themselves and families it was made a cardinal sin…This gambling crime is being abused the same as prohibition was.
I will read a statement supposedly made by a Governor. We don’t want legalized gambling, the reason: (1) It will bring crime—the big lie used over and over by those that have a political purpose for using it because the press doesn’t want it (2) it will cost to police it. Well as far as crime is concerned it is well proved that we all lend ourselves to bring it about…I agree that gambling isn’t the best moral habit when you become addicted to it. For that matter what is good when you abuse it?
Some of the crime books speak of meetings of me, Charlie, and Frank. I met with them on many occasions but not for crimes against the people. Some time for social chatter, other times for the same crime that we are all guilty of. When isn’t it a crime or immoral act if it is legalized, (Gambling).
I’m not going to try to impress anyone that I was and am a Yashiva student, I just want to reveal and call the attention of the public to be well aware of the do-gooders who were going [to] suppress crime. Instead these arch criminals did pass laws to suppress the people for their political purpose to perpetuate their power. Fortunately not all the laws were past. You well know who they are. Attorney Generals, assistant A. G. and what not. When the real culprits go to jail we do not know. They really showed the beast in man. No compassion for anyone. Nothing mattered, but power. Any means to an end for their purpose." Lower right corner of last page bears an embossed "Library of Meyer Lansky" blindstamp. In fine condition. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by Meyer Lansky’s step-granddaughter Cynthia Duncan. Provenance: The Thelma Lansky Trust. After returning from Israel, Meyer Lansky was approached about writing an autobiography. Meyer, wanting to clear his name and get his side of the story out, asked his step-granddaughter Cynthia Duncan, a recent journalist graduate, to tape record his thoughts which he began to put down on paper. After a couple sessions of recording and writing, Lansky’s lawyer advised him to stop, putting an end to the book. A rare and fascinating manuscript from the renowned innovator of the gambling industry.
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