The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-24
AGAINST HORSE RACES.
Clergymen Send Out an APP
~peal-DuSkY Fight
e~rS-Bowling.

The Cergymen, encouraged by the
results Of trials at Elizabeth. have re-
newed their battle against the jockey
clubs in the State. and have issued the
following appeal, which Is signed by the
Rev. Everard Kempshall, d.. d., aad
twenty-four others:-
"Thatthe existing law against gambling
upon the race tracks in New Jersey can
he enforced, is proven by the fact that In
Union county there lave been seven jury
trials for this offence, within two months
last past, resulting in u conviction in each
case, and the bookmakers have been
heavily fined, with a warning OF seyerer
punishment II the offence be repeated.
There have also been twenty eases OF
pleas OF guilty" OF the same offence,
within the same county, in the same
time, all followed by similar punishment
and warning. In Monmouth county q
conviction by jury has also lately been
obtained, for this offence, followed oy
pleas of guilty" to q number OF other ln.
dictments, for like offences. In Passaic
county indictments nav been found, and
trials are now pending. What this means
to the supporters of vice against which
our battle Is being waged, can best be
shown by the words of some OF their OWL
number:-"Unless a bill Is passed legal
izing book-making in New Jersey" said
one Of the convicted book-makers, the day
after his sentence, in Elizabeth, Linden
aud the Jersey Jockey CLUB had Just as
well close their gates. The responsible
book-makers will take no more chances.
For my part. | never expect to make a
book in New Jersey again. | don't mind
the $500. but / do not a 70 take any
chance about doing time" Another one
is reported rs saying TO the Saeriff, when
paying his fine n costs, that ne was
''going to shake the dust OF Jersey from
his feet
1T is said that the race track people are
preparing a bill to present TO the Lsgisla-
Iure. and that they have strong hope OF
getting it passed. The statement Is
openly made, with few to question It's
accuracy, that those in whose Interest
this legislation will be sought, nave
raised a large sum Of money to promote
the same. That they will stop at nothing
to accomplish an end upon which the
continued existence of their pernicious
business depends. no sane man can
doubt.
"The crisis is, therefore, at hand. The
question is narrowed Town to this sinai
the people OF New Jersey, the interests OF
whose homes are involved with the 1alr
name of the State. or the railroads anu
the gamblers, go under in this conflict?
1t has been truly said. There Is through
out the country a profound aud just reel
ing that there is a growing tendency TO
divert legislation and government from
their true purpose, namely, a free aud
full expression of the peoples will, and
to surrender their control 10 selfish inter-
ests Tor selfish objects rather than TO use
them for the common good
"Those who are. seeking 70 shake OH the
grasp of the Grimes Act, as 1t now stands,
are counting largely upon the indiffer-
enc of those who live at a more remote
distance from the race tracks. but IL
success crowns their effort in the Legisla-
ture this winter, how long Will IL be oe.
fore this plague spOt-this 'pestnouse,"
as Judge Dixon characterized it in his
recent charge to the Grand Jury OF Pas
sale ~county-will be extended over the
whole State, through county fairs, which
will inevitably be turned into kindergar-
ten schools in race track gambl1ngY
''rhe object of this circular is 10 inform
you upon The present status OF this mat
ter of vital moment to the welfare of u
State and TO urge upon YOU personal
vigilance, as concerns the legislation of
the present session, that you may use
your influence in counteracting efforts,
which will assuredly be made TO tie the
hands of our Courts and turn to mockery
the good results already obtained.
Stand ready. we entreat YOU, to enter
your protest. by remonstrance, through
your representatives in the Legislature,
at the first appearance OF any bill propos-
ing any change in the existing law, in
favor of legalizing gambling upon race
tracks in New Jersey, or pool selling in
connection with the same"