New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-09
TIE PROSPECT FOR RfCING.

The Supreme Court of New-JcrSoy has rem
dcred an iln,ortan; decision. declaring ihat the
sCapdaIorls racrtrack legislation Of last winter
il unconstitutional. IL Is not in the least llE'y
that this decision will be reversed by the Court
of Errors and Appeals if the question Is carried
ND TO the highest court in the state. This tie
cision practically puts IN end TO racing in New
Jersey II Is We'll nigh certainty that TN"
Legislature will repeal the obnoxious laws. III
any event. but the decision Of the court prac'
ticallv removes tha last faint glimncr OF hope
which has been cherished by the rac"track men
i'm our sister State The racccoursr managers
and Tho racecorrsc gamblers In NewIerSoy
fully deserve The calamity which has fallen
upon them. They deGled the honor OF The stare
and stained her reputation by their outrageous
performances M Trenton last winter. Never
WAS legislation enacted In Ncw,Icrscy with 4
boller disregard Of decent opinion AMI with Il
mere reckless defiance Of the sentiments OF re-
sprctallr people If the racing men III New
Jersey had managed their operations with as
much moderation and good sense rs have char
actcrizcd the conduct of affairs by the Coney
Island Jockey Club at ShcepShcad Bay. they
mlght have gone on unmolestcd b. hostile
legislation BIT they have wantonly provoked
The disaster which has now ovcrtak"n them.
They constantly manifested IN insolcnt con-
tempt for all that honorable and upright citi-
zens hold dear The whole racing element in
the State was practically responsible for the
infamrs which were practiscd at Trenton
the brlberics the bullying and browbcating, the
frauds and crimes which were committed there.
II is reported that the Nrw-Jcr>ry urfmen
will trv n new scheme This summer. II Il
rumorcd that they propose 10 convert the Mon
mouth Park Association and some other racing
associations into agricultural and county fair
organizations and expect to he allowed 10 give
races under their new titles. Well-conducled
county fairs are admirable. and ought always
70 be encouraged The state Fair NJ Trenton.
the fair nj Wavery and other fairs in New
Jersey have been successful and prosperous
enterprises. and have deserved III" public sup
port which has been generously extended 10
them But the aroused public sentiment Of
Eew.Jcrscy will not permit raccracl gamblers
10 cover MP the abuses and evils which have
been fostered and developed AT Monmouth Park.
Gutenberg and Gloucester under the gulse OF
agricultural displays and competitions. Any
effort at trlckery by carrying on raclng ut Mon
mouth Park and other racctracks under the
semblancc OF agricultural fairs will be resented
and defeated by the people Of NcwJcrscy
They are too keen aud shrewd TO be fooled by
any such device
Racing in NewJersey sank TO 4 deploraby
low estate last year The most graspins. greedy
aud INSCRIPTIONS Of turfmen We're allowed 10
mismanagc affairs In that State and on some
wellknown racecourses outside of Ncw,Icrsey
The officials the judges. the starter and the I
Handicapped were under The influence AMI dom
tan. Of man tn al
only those in the inner ring Of the tnrf were
always sure OF receiving fair treatment aud Of
getting all their rights The conditions Of races
were arranged for the benefit of the favored /
clique Certain owners were permitted To bring
scandal aud disgrace upon She turf by running /
their horses when they were totally unfit 10 !
race Certain jockeys We're encouraged 10 play /
the most fantastic tricks before high heaven /
and 10 indulge IN the most outrageous antics. +
Men of dsrepute were permitted To run riot |
on the racetracks. Unless radical reforms are /
set on foot aud carried out earnestly and I'M /
iIinchiDgly, the American turf is sure 10 20 To |
pieces and 10 be- irrc,rievably ruined at IN /
early date TN" shameless methods of Tam
many Hall and Of the Infamous Brooklyn tiag |
have been practise1 with altogether too much |
freedom and bollnes~ on some of our Eastern
racctrackS Fortunately. Il new movement OF /
marked importance has been started under the
able leadership Of James X. Kcenc This move
ment promises reform Of the greatest value.
With so experienced and well equipped a man
as Mr. Kccnc ut the head Of this movement its
prospects Of success look bright Mr.. Kccnc
and the gentlemen who are working with him
intend to purify the turf, and to make extensive
and thoroughgoing changes for the better.
Every tre friend Of the turf will hope that this
NOV cmcnt may be successful. Those who stand
IN the way Of II are the worst enemies Of honest
sport.