The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-09
MR.. KETCHAM AT RORY
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TELLS
GOVERNOR WHAT HE SAW.
Another Agent I'm ROXY Collecting In
forms tfon-PrOsecuting Attorney
Writes a Curt Letter.

Now, Governor said a lady the other
day who called upon the chief executive OF
the State, 81 want you to tell me frankly
whether you intend TO send the troops To
Roby?f
Madame" diplomatically replied the Gov
ernor, 81 have only this to say. SO long
as the people of Roby do not resist the
processes of civil authority no troops will
be sent to Roby."
This was all the satisfaction that Mrs.
Roby received In her recent interview.
Governor Matthews feels that her visit,
coming at the same time as that of Dan
O'Leary, who is connected with the race
track there, was for the same purpose as
his, namely, to bring about a more tolera-
tive feeling toward the scourge of the
northeast part of the State. He believes
that the hackers of Roby depend entirely
upon an easement of public opinion for
continued existence and are now engaged
in an effort to mollify the sentiment of
has aroused.
'It is true said the Governor, last
night, to a Journal reporter, that there is
pool selling in other parts of the State, but
in these, at race courses, the betting is only
III " liz III Al 6AOob iio
jority sof the people Who attend the races
go to see the sport and enjoy the beauty
Of the horses in action up to the bent Of
their powers. But at Roby, it is different
There the entire mass of people leave Chi
cago to go to a place where betting is the
only thing thought of. That is the differ
ence, but as the law does not define a diff
ference, the problem of %squelching the
%olo,
able place, becomes exceedingly difficult
What Is now to be done?" was asked,
last night, of the Governor.
1T seems that my plans for using the e
nuisance, cruelty to animals, etc., are not
practicable under present conditions in the
public mind in Lake county. for the rea,
son that the grand jury cannot be depended
upon to return indictments. The track af-
fords employment to a great many and
the managers OF II axe espeGiai pains 10
at a little higher than the market price.
The track keeps employed seventy-four
citizens Of Hammond and Roby as police
men at 81 a day. This complexities the
problem, for the enforcement of the law
under their oath of authority would cut
off their employment. With public senti-
ment thus coddled. II is hard to get at the
promoters with the law. The prosecuting
attorney, who is a very important actor
in this matter, oil ought to be. Is a man
named Heard. He lives in Porter coun Y,
in Valparaiso, but when I wrote to him
about the Roby track, he replied in a very
curt way. The sheriff, Hayes. whom Judge
| Gillett appointed receiver Of the old Ath-
| letic Association, and who was elected on a
| law and order platform, has not been able
to do much because of the attitude Of the
prosecuting attorney. 1 believe Judge Gil
lett Is very anxious to maintain the law
and overthrow this track, but the same
difficulties beset him in the performance
OF his duty.
"It is not to be considered. however, for
an instant, that 1 have abandoned the in
tention to do the best / can to protect the
State from the inflow of the disreputable
elements of Chicago"
Then what next?'
81 am not prepared to state, as yet, just
what the next step will be. Attorney-gen-
eral Ketcham was in Roby yesterday and
/ had a conference with him in the even
| sistance from Mr.. Ketcham that he car
render. Mr.. Ketcham reports that pools
were selling at the track, but that he saw
no other form of gambling. / have had an
| agent in Roby for several days collecting
Information as to the number employed
the number Of horses kept there, the
amount of provender bought and the prices
| paid. His report will explain some OF the
difficulties that beset the officers In at.
tempting to enforce the law"
"What do you intend to ask or the Leg
isiature?'
~ intend to present as strong an argu.
ment as possible in support of a recon-.
mendation that the Legislature pass such
a law as will protect Lake from the over.
| flow of the vicious classes of Chicago. o.
| course, this will have to be done under 8
| general law, because of the constitutions
| requirement, but i want to see il made
1 effective for all time to come. If there Ii
no law to protect ourselves from this dan.
| ger to our peace and happiness, then the
| Legislature should see to it that there Is
law enough to accomplish the purpose