The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-13
THE POOL BILL.

REASONS WHY IT SHOULD BE AMENDED-RAcrNG
POOLS CONSIDERED LEGITIMATE.
The following petition has been signed by oil tho
governors and members OF the American Jockey Club
who are now in town.
To THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY OF The STATE OF NEW
YORK.
Tho undersi ened, Governors and Members Of the
American Jockey Club, respectfully represent to your
Honorable Body
l. that the American Jockey Club was formed and
incorporated under the laws OF the State OF New York
Tor the purpose OF improving the breed OF horses
this State aud for other purposes duly set torthn the
ACT OF incorporation bearing date 17lh April, 1885,
. That in pursuance OF these purposes the American
Jockey Club has, for now number OF years, annually
offered NJ stated seasons, prizes and rewards to be
competed Tor by the owners OF horses IN the same
manner IN which such prizes and rewards
pctcd Tor 10 other countries in which the maint
and Improvement OF the breed ot bo have been and
made prominent subjects Of social interest and OF
legislative favor and protection
5. That In order to obtain the necessary means for
Offering such prizes and rewards, 1t has been found
absolutely necessary, IN the case OF the American
jockey Club, In all other cases OF the kind
throughout the world TO secure the attendance OF the
general public at these exhibitions OF skill and cndur
once and to stimulate the interest OF tho general pub.
lie in the development and Improvement OF the breed
a. rnui, to this end, nothing has been or can be
found elective well ordered and well conducted
system under which all persons who attend these cx
kibitions and take intelligent interest III them may
safely and fairly stake such sums OF money as tLcy
think proper upon the accuracy of their judgment, IN
contend for the prizes and rewards above described.
o. That the directors and managers OF the American
Jockey Club having In view the permanent success OF
that institution have niaturcd alter due investigation
and In the light OF practical experience, such system
under which stated exhibitions OF skl and cEdur
ance aforesaid have been Tor a long time past con-
Quoted with perfect good order IN the presence OF
great numbers OF the most respectable and the most
intelligent citizens Of the State aud Of their families ;
and finally that under this system the funds ut tue
disposal OF the American Jockey Club for the establish
mcnt OF the prizes and rewards aforementioned have
uspdu Of \ an
nuaIly expended before the formation OF the Amcr
can Jockey Club they have reached tho OF $50 OOO
onsrcd during the past year. Tor the Improvement of
the Of thoroughbred running horses In this Com
monwcath.
IL Is with regret therefore, that the undersigned
have learned that is in contemplation to extend 10
tho administration OF institutions such as tho Amcr-
Jockey Club, chartered by The commonwealth Tor
iaudabo purposes, and exercising scrupulous super.
vision over all that goes IN furtberance OF these
purposes within the grounds and buildings, in the
county OF Wcschcstcr and city Of New York. occupied
by the club, the provisions OF bill or bills now pend
ing before your honorable body Tor tho suppression
OF certain abuses said TO have been oserod by the
practice oil betting In places OF general ana nciscri.
mate public resort, upon poticsl, social and financial
events OF various kinds. While the undersigned have
no reason, and would not presume, to call IN question
the wisdom or proprety OF such proposed legislation
50 lar rs may tend 10 restrain such alleged abuses
they do most respectfully, but at the same time
urgently protest and set forth to your honorable
body that the extension even by implication, o
such legislation to the operations OF the American
Jockey Club within the sphere assigned TO u
by the act calling It into existence must not only cast
unjust mputatons upon the iar tame OF the club but
tend TO restrict " not To destroy It's usefulness, tc
diminish its resources and eventually TO compel II
which IS engagcd-to the dctriment Of important IN
tcrcss OF the people Of this Sateor to call upon the
Legislature Tor large annual subsidies IL ala OF that
work, such now levied and paid In various
tres OF the Continent OF Europe for similar objects
The undersigned therefore, respectfully request your
honorable body 10 take into prompt and favorable con-