New-York tribune., 1894-10-01
TURFMEN ARE ANXIOUS.
FEARFUL OF THE ADOPTION OF THE CON-
STITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

TRACK OWNERS TO HAVE A POWERFUL oPPosI
TIoN FROM THE PooLRooM MEN-TIIE
COMING GREAT RACE
Confusion reigns in the councils OF the turf and
the dssensions of leading turfmen have caused much
bitter talk. in which the persons engaged could not
restrain their tempers. To add to the trouble the
Constitutional. Convention has cast wet blanket
the turf. to the everlasting dismay OF the ho.d
of sinecures and other detrimental attachments
TO racing There are few turfmen who believe that
the gambling amendment 10 the Constitution will
be defeated. 1t Is absurd to talk about big sum
OF money be used defeat the amendment. as
the al the head OF the affairs OF the turf have
made powerful enemies. who easily prevent
the successful OF corruption fund to thwar the
efforts OF the Convention by the defeat OF the pro-
posed amendment.
Nobody knows better than the track-owners that
in this city they have enemy who is bold. fear
less and energetic They know that he is aggressive
and untring that he will leave stone unturned TO
accomplish the downfall OF racing and the gambling
features essential to its success. Perhaps there
is not man In the city who is so well informed IN
regard to the vast profits amassed by tracK-owners
as the Nemesis Of the poolrooms. who has oatted
with the raceracks every opportunity for nearly
five years When the pooirooms were closed the
track-owners rejoiced. 1t meant increased d.vi-
dends TO the shareholders of racing property. The
lessons taught by the NewJersey crusade were Aos'
on the stiff-necked racing men Of this State The
is likely to arouse the sentiment OF the church-gong
public as he did in New-Jersey 1t does not matter
II ne was formerly at the head of the pooiroom
keepers and is c,assed gambler. In all OF his
battles his methods have been effective and in the
end he has prevailed. Consequently. the persons op-
posed TO the gambling amendment have formidable
opposition TO overcome from the class OF gamblers
who were so unceremoniously turned down by the
edic; OF the Tammany chief when he ordered the
poolrooms closed
Moreover. the former poolroom keepers'are men,
ace persons who start suddenly and shiver
when the name Of Lexow is mentioned in their
presence In spite OF the amounts paid for protec-
tion large fund reserved for future which
may be used 10 help secure votes for the adoption
OF the constitutional amendment
VIEWS OF AN EX-POOLROOM MAN
1t may appear strange to many that gamblers ad-
vocate the suppression betting rings at the race
tracks Here is what one well-known gambler says
abou, the bettng-rings and the track-owners:
.I am opposed TO hypocrisy Of every description.
especially the hypocrisy OF protected gamblers and
the persons who are the beneficaries of racetrack
gambling They may talk they choose about
eevatng sport; The only thing racetrack-owners de-
sire TO elevate Is their finances. and they don't care
much how they elevated. either 1t Is all very
well TO talk about turf reform and the Jockey Club.
but It's the same Old game in new dress. II the
desire 10 improve the tone OF the turf sincere.
there would be the slightest hesitation in grant
ing licenses racing clubs. even II their racing
days did conflict with the Jockey Club tracks why,
they have not made single attempt 10 rid the turf
of the scoundres that infest It, some or whom are
rated as leading turfmen Licenses were granted In
discriminate tey and the element that were considered
too disreputable for Gu;enburg or Gloucester were
received with open arms The racing this year mas
been honeycombed with Jobs and crooked racing
and they been passed over without the slightest
ATTEMPT 10 punish the persons implicated Erroneous
decisions have been frequent. and 1t s common tax
that a personal grievance has initiated against
stable in which the public Places Implicit commence
4 Jockey who IL known throughout the land as being
strictly homes; has been frequently punished win
,nusual severity for some cause unknown 10 the
nuh,ic When every newspaper in this great city is
outspoken In adversely crticizng the running OF "a
horse owned by a man Of National reputation ana
not the slightest attention was paid 70 T. by the rae
ing officials do they expect the general public 20
cornor for sport OF that description and TO hold
nass-meetings to the betting rings? OF course.
no, ali that can be said Is that racing Is dead. and
,ha, II was killed by the track-owners themselves.
when the sport IL dragged down 20 the level or a
shar game and racing by electric light is tolerated.
with 5ocent bets permitted. II is time 10 suppress
the gambling attachments to the sport II you know
ANYBODY who wants 10 bet the usual race'rack
amount-s. 600 c)0-that the amendment Will be de-
fea:ed lust come 10 me- Will take 800 worth OF H.
and give you anybody Else 10 per cent OF the
amount for securing the be-;
So much for the ex -pooroom Keepers views Inc
breeders throughout the State who are In favor o,
hs.fi 80 numerous tndl t"rS VIII
cut a striking figure when the votes are counted.
In rarard 70 the farmers the betting feature OF rae
ing Of every description is looked upon with sus-
pcion hence the unanimous support OF the Farmers
to defeat the amendment is an idea that originated
near the McNa!y headquar;ers as the farmers IN
this State ceased buying greengoods many years ago
he brought 10 bear prevent the destruction OF rae
e bleb perch w and use Every means in their TO
c5ncate whom they have r %rorsed h d and
who pacs al ' thar acos own hSoa S5n
Eieventh- hour repentance does not count for much
bu; night possibly secure Tor ys inem ba Tey 4e
spectacle element that looks upon racing as spU1s
. chance ,h oa ID bstteSes * that have
70 pieces and If the voters DECIDE against the amend
ment, forget where they are hidden
THE JEROME PARK MEETING.
,.,o,,. Park racing survives. Notwithstanding the
process of vvisecon it was subjected to last week
The least said about the scenes and Incidents thf
better for the future OF the sport When men IN an!
other calling than that OF a racing ofhciai max
blunder after biunder. and are condemned as IN
competent by their best friends. the usual resu
ia prompt resignation: but on the turf NOBODY, wa a
give up so9S heiE reiatoni eas be-
the ween 1arSe the most Park
owners owner and The public csv are an1i0usy waiting
'0r cora Showed that he had improyed w9T6erf, s W
Roge,s wss sssumsd rsay e0a'n %eroous Fl H per
wth ana Was the chief feature Of the weel
ARuh,con bears out all that was said about him a.
a vearling and as two-year-o ne mas snom. " !.
~, he is equal to taking chance with tne pts
horses in training. he has won MS RACES IN II Ie
.r,e Sorn, is likely remain hidden until Iarai
some other Jockey rides him In race kenhei ,rt a
s,nnroved 90 rapidly that many well-lnformed tuI
msn predict that he will be factor In the three
ear sreat race between Domino clifford and Henr!
q, Navarro obscures all other topics IN the upoW ou
and places sssse wSsFf ayo ef
are divided in their opinions as 70 the pest morse h
D,ns Domino, Of the racing public although Henry o
Sayarre has many friends Like Ienny, BYRON Mc