Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-20
BACKING THE FAVORITES
Evading the Anti-Gambling Law in the
State of Presidents
Pool Room Parnphernnlia Moved From
jackson City to st. Asaph's-GOv.
OFerraIFs Intentions.

AS intimated In The Star a few days ago
would be the case, the pool rooms, which
were closed at jackson City upon the pass
age or the Mu5hbach anti-gambling law
recently by the Virginia legislature were
opened yesterday afternoon at the Gentle
men Driving Park near ST. Asaph juno
ton, about halfway between this city and
Alexandria. A great crowd of gamblers
from Washington were given the first chance
In several weeks of playing the horses, and
as books were made on the various winter
racing meetings throughout the country the
sporting element of both Washington and
Alexandria enjoyed the same privileges
which were theirs at the now deserted
jackson City.
The Mushbach law. 1t is understood per-
mits gambling on the race tracks of state
fair associations and also on other regularly
Incorporated tracks, and in order to come
WITHIN the provisions of the law the man
ager OF the track. J. NJ Hill of Alexandria,
provided three alleged trotting races at the
track yesterday. The so-called races were
trotted, but. of course, little attention was
paid TO them, the crowd devOting themselves
TO the real purpose Of the occasion-that of
patronizing the booksellers. An old barn
had been fitted for the accommodation of
the boOkfes and their patrons, and wires
were run into the building from the various
winter tracks now in operation throughout
u,
was announced that in few days the
gamblers would be accommodated by the
erection of a commodious building with
every convenience. II was also stated tina 7
the track would be enlarged to o full n lie
track. and that in the event of the failure
OF congress TO provide for racing in the
District season of continuous racing
would be shortly inaugurated at that point.
The Governor Determined.
By those who profess to be well &C
quainted with all the inside facts in the
matter it is stated that while the Mush-
back law was really aimed at the de-
struction of jackson City it also had an
other purpose. and that was the removal
of the gamblers from Jackson City to the
Gentlemens Driving Park and the build
ing up of the latter place as a gambling
resort. the closing up OF Jackson City
recently and the opening yesterday of
gambling at the Gentlemens Driving Park
are pointed out as confirming the state
ment 1t is understood. however. that
Gov OFerrall is determined that the lat
ter place shall not be made a reproach TO
the state, and it is said that when he was
in this city recently he informed an in
innate friend that he would crush out the
gambling element if ii took all the forces
of the state to do so. 1t is stated that
the attention of the governor was called
to the fact that gambling would be re-
sumed at the Gentlemen's Driving Park
under the blind of giving so-called races
there. when, it is said, that the governor
said that he could not be hoodwinked in
that manner, and that he would stop 1t in
short order and in the most summary
manner. Gov. O'Ferrall is said to be a
man of the most determined character and
one who is well acquainted with the pur-
poses and plans OF the gamblers, and his
friends declare that he will clean out this
latest gambling resort in short order. One
way in which the governor will kill the
scheme it is said. will be to arrest. under
old law of the state, every person
found gambling or patroniZing gambling
at the track, and II is stated that the
governor will not rely upon the AleXan-
dria county officers to make such arrests
and prosecute the arrested parties, but
will appoint special officers for that pur-
pose.