Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-10-11
HOrse.G Gambling at Fairs.

OF all places in the world they are be-
ginning TO put down this sort of gaming in
New Jersey, and about New York city.
Why, it is endorsed by the best people"
here in New England, and church-members
even threaten religious papers with the
withdrawal of their support if their agri-
cultural editor is allowed to refer to this
and other like abuses at agricultural fairs.
What such men would like, no doubt, would
be Judge such as Donahue of New York,
who issues injunctions upon the police to
prevent them from arresting gamblers at
the races Such judge would also be
good one to try an agricultural editor be-
fore for "libeling" the managers of our
fairs by stating the truth about their pro-
ceedings. The Springfield Republican says
A curious and not altogether unreasonable
suit has been begun in the New Jersey court Of
chancery to restrain the Monmouth park associa-
ton from holding any more races, on the ground
that the corporation holds racing meetings, where
more than twenty persons to wit, several thou
sands congregate to gamble drink strong liquor
and otherwise violate the laws, being contrary to
good morals and the laws of the state a public
public contempt The encouragement joins in
the suit similar suit might find hearing In
this state, as we observe that Judge Fox Of the
Taunton police court commented severely upon
the Bristol agricultural society yesterday for al
lowing too great a license on their grounds and
filling his court with drunks. This Is one Of the
societies which receives 5000 year from the
state.
The editor of the Republican, it may be
said, are themselves libelous fellows, and
were once brought to trial for charging of a
good man with abusing his grown-up daugh-
ters, whereupon right in court they aggra-
vsted their offense by proving the vile
charge with the testimony of the good mans
neighbors and of one of his own daughters.
1t is hard to say how far the depravity of
newspaper men will descend.
But we frequently hear the respectable"
class of horse-racing gentlemen assert that
there is no gambling, or very little, on such
occasions, and that it is great misrepresen.
tation of the facts to charge that the races
are established and maintained for that
purpose. Here they are at issue with one
of their own number, no less man than
August Belmont, the New York banker,
who says plainly "you might as well pro-
hibit racing as to take away the privilege
of making BETS" He thought it absurd
and puritanical," and asked
Is a lady spectator Of a race any the worse for
| losing or winning dozen pairs OF gloves? No
more is it demoralzing for gentleman to risk
money that he can afford TO lose; besides, 1t is
shame to put the jockey club on par with an
Ann-street roulette game, and deal with both
alike. The upshot will be, and must be, such a
change in the law as will permit pools and books
under proper safeguards and restrictions. or
course, II the police choose to enforce the law as
it stands, we can do no betting openly during the
present meeting.
We commend Mr. Belmont's candid re.
marks to the consideration of gentlemen,
reverend and other, who have met with Sc.
we're structures from our pen upon this sort
of criminality, and think "they must be
rectifed.' Not much