New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-07
NETWORK LEGISLATURE.
I IOtn Uur OWN EeToffers.
SENATE. ALBANY, Feb. 6, 1856.

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the discussion of the merits Of the bill 10 prevent bet
ting the speed of animals in Queens County against
which several remOnstrances, numerOuly signed were
prcsented by Senators RIDER, G. p. SMITH and
SICKLES. Its consideration having been made a
special order, it was taken up Immediately after Ex-
ecu'ive Session.
Mr.. SICKLES moved to refer it back to the Com
mittee Of the Whole.
Mr.. RIDER trusted the motion would not prevail
Mr.. SlCKLES then said that if it was the determ-
nation Of the Senate TO adopt the principle involved
in this BILL it would be far from his course to pursue
any fadious opposition TO such opposition. But be
represented constituency, many thousand. of whom
saw no good reason to abolish the sports of
the turf. Now be did intend that those thousands
should be heard here. We are people almost with.
out recreation. As Mr.. Webster said of Mr.. Calhoun
he was man without recreation. This assertion il a.
applicable to us as people as il was 10 Mr.. Calhoun
We seem to have but one way to look at, and one
course to pursue toward any principle thing TO which
Is attached an attending evil Instead of aiming at the
eradication Ofbe evilse set to work to abolish the
principle. This was seen in the course pursued with
reference TO the PrOhibitoIy law, &c. He did not
deny there were evils connected with the turf
1t was the resort of gamblers, well Of honorable
gentlemen, whose only object recreation, improve
ment in the breed of animals, &c. Now be would go
as far as the Senator from the LIST to remove any
evils which attended racing, but be could not agree
with him that the only way TO remove those evils
TO abolish racing altogether As well might we abo-
ish all yacht clubs which have originated that emula
ton in maritime architecture that has added so much
strength to our claims for the motto of our State
Excelsior" As well might we insist on the closing
of our heaters because they are the resort of dis
reputable characters, well as of the honest citizen,
who seeks few hours amusement
Mr.. RIDER replied that the Senator could not so
well represent or misrepresent his Mr. Riders con-
stituens on this subject he did once in National
Convention. To improve the breed Of horses-it was
misnOmer. He was acquainted with inst inces
where noble animal was brought on the course and
trotted ten miles for ten hours. Did such treatment
inprOVp the breed n hOr5pgl M Sir. these
injurious TO the breed of good horses as it
deleeous to the character Of the thousands of young
men Of New IOrk who visit these races. You abolish
dog, rat and badger-fihting In the city. Why Be-
cause of the bad effect they have general society.
Then why not grant the prayer of the people of
Queens County to rid them of these periodical in
roads under which they suffer from the blacklegs and
gamblers of the State and country. He called upon
the Legislature to pass this bill, or Queens County
would sink under the deetOrOus effects of cemeteries,
race-cOurses, rowdes backlegs and gamblers. Mr. X.
then called upon the Senator from the Xllth District
TO read letter in bis possession relating to tbs SUBJ
iect
Mr. j. A. SMITH then read a letter containing the
proceedings Of a meeting held by people of Queens
County and signed by Phmeas Walker, chairman, and
E. W. Jones, secretary, asking for the passage OF this
bill
Mr.. NOXON held that this bin was not of a charac-
ter to eradicate all the evils sought to be removed by
the Senator from the Ist He therefore desired it to
be referred back for amendment.
Mr.. SICKLES replied, and in the course of his re-
marks said that il was fact he presumed no Senator
would gainsay that these races did result in the i'm
provement of horses. No civilized country had ever
been without race-cOurse. They of the greatest
antiquity; and it cannot be successfully contended
that in themselves there any moral turptude con-
nected with them. How very absurd was it then to
get up an excitement against this peculiar kind of
recreation, which had been and is now countenanced
by every civilized country on the face of the globe
The only question to be considered was, how to re-
move the attending evils. That was the question.
Certainly there fairness in the proposition of the
Senator to abolish the principle in order to reach the
evil. Now, then, if you pass bill like this, which has
for its object the exclusion from the course OF persons
who desire TO know the comparative speed OF their
animals YOU drive them into your roads, and he sub
mitted that that would be infinitely more dangerous
and Objectionable. His constituents were a law-abid-
ing class. No one could ruthiully say but that the
citizens of New-YOrk observed all the laws enacted
for their government as well any other particular
constituency But in enacting laws, the Legislature
should always have in view the attending cncun-
stances and not adopt them without due regard for
the ob cons to them well as for their necessities
Mr.. WADSW ORTIZ stated that he would vote for
rocommta of the bill, without reference to Its mel
it's or demerts and because of the numerous remon-
strants who for the first time, have to-day come be-
fore U.S. Moreover he thought that if the bill waste
pass it needed material amendment. There were
chromosomes as well as those Of queens Oouny'
They should all be placed on par.
Nj. RIDER sincerely hoped that the bill wonld De
passed to a third reading to-day The necessities OF
the people of Queens County demanded immediate
action on the part OF this Senate ne Oesseu tnc
Legislature to rid his constituents of the curse under
under which they now suffer. Rid them OF the row
dies the gamblers and blacklegs who now MOOD the
roads of that county on every race day 10 lhs, ny
the massage of this bill and be doubted if the Legls-
ature at this session would pass bill OF more general
good. ,.,,. 81
lowing: uo. =. .o,.+--,.s
with the rights OF any corporation OF persons I
%nn sne of the breed Of horses and all inconsistent
Mr. PATTERSON insisted that this amendment was
either useless or else rendered the entire bill migratory
Mr.. RIDER hoped the amendment would not De
adopted; -, Az. .,o orOordrert was Of
tie character described by MI Patterson ..o La5
MIR. SICKLES remarked that new feature had
been discovered in this bill by its friends which, ne
contended required its recommittal. AS u read now
ms claimed by its friends II simply PROVIDED iof re-
enactment OF a chapter OF the Revised statutes Tue
statute now made il misdemeanor to bet on race
II was camed that this the only object OF the Dill
So saws the Senator from the LIST District. lhen al
this is work of supererogaton Ana now ABSURD was
tb;s too Whv after the passage OF TINS D, although
The owners of the animals may not bet, personally
they can do so without limit through friends, slde DEUS
&c. The bill certainly should be recommitted' A.
Mr. RIDER consented to the insertion Oh MI
R,ookss amendment if it was done without recommt,
tal But he subsequently withdrew his consent, anu
tLe vote was taken on the motion TO recohuht win
instructions to insert the amendment, Whch was hesa
lived by the following vote; ~. r.u- N,xo, Pat,
YEAS Iessrs Be!nger Brooks Hale, Nelly Noxo re-,
tv richardson C. ?. Smith Sckles Sweet aas"q 2Il,
FNAYS~Nesrs Bradford, Briggs Cuyer' feTdon' nss'e'
Uo,cbkiss Huntington Madden Patterson, Ramsay haei n
NJ smith j. A. Smith, Speneer-lt .L. q
At % O'Clock Mr.. SPENCER, remarking tne .,S Z
" good bottom" was preferable to speed, putimaung
that dinner was necessary to secure the former io Tue
debating Senator'S moved to adjourn. Carried
CHILDREN BoRN IL FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Mr. SICKLFS gave notice that he would intro
duce bill to enable children born in foreign countries
of American parents to Lod and convey real estate