Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-27
FIGHT ON JACKSON CITY
Pressing the Mushbach Anti-Gambling
Bill at Richmond
Favorably Reported to the Senate
Wherein 1t Differs From the
Old Measure.


Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
RICHMOND. Va, Feb. 81. 1894
The fact that the anti-gambling bill in
troduced by Senator Mushbach in the SEN
ate several days ago has been favorably
reported to that body so promptly is taken
as an indication that the bill will pass the
legislature before the session ends next
Saturday, the Sd of March.
This measure is called substitute" fol-
the Mushbach anti-gambling law. enacted
by the legislature of two years ago. It,
as is well known, was aimed almost direct
ly at Jackson City. Virginia's Monte Car
To-" and 1t is said that when it becomes a
law all kinds OF gaming, from the roulette
table to the race track, will be wiped ou'
in Virginia.
1t will be recalled that the courts Of the
state decreed that the law enacted TWO
years ago did not cover the case SO as to
prevent certain kinds Of bookmaking. Inc
court decided that the law did not prohipl'
the transmitting of bets outside Oh t me
state. When the test case came up fol
trial 1t was claimed that no bets were &C.
tualiy made in Virginia, but that the money
was accepted for transmission to New fork
by wire, which was ascertained to be the
fact. OF course. the court decided that this
was not bookmaking as prohibited by law
and the case went against the state.
The sole object of the bill now before the
law, and goes before the body as an amend
ment to the former act. The measure
makes it unlawful for ANY person or per
sons outside of the grounds of an agricul.
then only during the existence Of such
county or city fairs) to engage in bust
ness for the purpose of recording ana reg
istering bets or wagers or or selling OF
making books, pools or mutuals upon the
result Of any trial or contest Of skill
speed or power of endurance Of any man
or beast or upon the result of any political
nomination. appointment or election:
The penalty for the violation Of this law
Is a fine Of not less than 500 nor more than
$500 (one-fourth Of which shall be paid to
the informer), and imprisonment In jail not
less than thirty days nor more than ninety
days.
The case above referred to, which this bill
Is intended to reach. Is that of Lascalies
against the commonwealth, which was Q
test case made up in the Richmond Turf
Exchange. Lascalles was arrested for plac-
ing for a patron, by wire. bet on the
races at Guttenburg. He claimed that he
had violated no law of the state for the
rea son that the bet was not made in Vir-
ginia. The case went to the supreme court
of appeals, and the court held that the bet
was made where it was accepted.
1t will be seen by the text of the new bill
that 1t is desired specifically to prevent the
cipal, II not the only change from the other
bill.
Senator Mushbach is confident that this
bill will entirely cover the case. and will
break up 'legalized' gambling in the state
Of Virginia. The present bill is the result
of a series OF conferences between the gov
ernor, the attorney general and Senator
Mushbach, each of whom believe that the
bill. II II becomes a law, will stand the test
Of the supreme court Of the state.
1t Is almost certain that the bill will pass
the senate. indeed, 1t is conceded that al.
ready a majority Of the members favor 1t,
and it is expected that Senator Mush-
bach's logical arguments. for which he is
noted. will win over several undecided
members.
1t is not known, however. how the house
| stands on the measure. 1t is believed
though. that the bill will find no difficulty
in passing that body also without even an
amendment.