The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-16
THE NEWS AND THE GAMBLERS

| Rhode Island at its last session, has,
as told i'm another column, been inter
preted by the Supreme Court SO far as
to demonstrate that its exemption pro-
vision applies only to ''incorpor-
ated agricultural societies." In
other words, only the Rhode
Island State Fair Association has the
right to run horse races with pool sell
ing attachment between the 18th day of
! May and the 18th day Of November.
This Interpretation has been made
at the request of His Excellency
Governor Brown, who, appreciating
the strong public sentiment that
the information given by The
News has aroused against the So
called race meeting now being conducted
at Narragansett Park, looked into the
matter with view to learning what
method of procedure, if any, was open
to the State TO suppress the obvious
evil.
On securing the courts Interpretation
of the law, the Governors next step was
tofind out who comprised the Narragan-
sett Racing Association and, as re-
| ported in another column, it is now
| learned that that association is
nothing but name. 1t is a
mythical organization. The race
meeting is being conducted by the
Rhode Island State Fair Association
who have made certain contracts with
individuals to manage and otherwise act
as executives in the conduct of the race
meeting. There is no lease of Nara
gansett Park to any other par
ties, rs TIE News is frank to
admit that it suspected there was. At
least there is nothing that legally or
technically could be construed to be of
the nature of lease. For the purpose
of the race meeting the "Narragansett
Racing Association" is announced as the
sponsors, for the excellent reason of
making the meeting as distinct as posi-
BILE from the State Fair. In the same
way, last springs race meeting was ad-
vertised as under the auspices of the
Country Club.
Under these conditions the State is
powerless to interfere with the gambling
at Narragansett Park.
The people of the State, however. have
taken effective action by Withdrawing
their patronage from the so-called race
meeting. That is all they can do at pres
ent. When the General Assembly
meets in January they can take action
that will be more permanent in its re-
suits.
Speaking for itself, The News has
word to add. The campaign against the
gambling meeting was undertaken by
The NEWS with no other than the
sincerest purpose Of acquainting the
public with the facts and faith that,
once the facts were made known,
public sentiment would be quick to
respond. Beyond question three-quarters
of the people of Rhode Island stand, to-
day, in opposition to the gambling
race meeting now going on at Maria
gansett Park. The NEwshas not, and
never had reason TO have, any
thing of the nature of personal
feeling in this matter. 1t has
aimed to keep its assaults free
from anything indicating malice or
venom as it has also kept them free
from sensationalism. 1t has not gone
out of its way to seek endorsements or
to solicit approval of its course. 1t has,
however, received complimentary let
ters, good words, and a general COM
mendation of it's action almost without
number, and it has published part Of
these. IL has received minimum of
criticism, and il has taken pains to pub
lish all of this that was decent in Ian
guage that its columns might give fair
hearing TO the other side. 1t has not
boasted Of any superior morality
in pushing this matter and it has re-
srained from everything that suggested
cant. IL has fairly, though earnestly,
pointed out the evil, urged its serious