The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-12-26
THE LEGISLATURE MUST ACT
GOVERNOR MATTHEW'S WILL TURN
ROXY OVER TO ITS CARE.
che Near Approach of the Closing
Season Mt the Race Course, md the
Difficulties In the Way of Civil Ac-
ton, Lead the Governor TO
Adopt This Course-He VIII Make
an Announcement shortly.

The legislature will have to handle
Roby. This. it is understood is the con-
clusion the governor has come to after
a thorough consideration of the trouble
some question. While he is loath 10 ac-
cept the situation. he has found himself
almost powerless 10 shut down the racing
course Of which so much has been said.
Governor Matthews and Attorney-Gen-
eral Ketcham, since TIE latter's accession
10 Office. have been endeavoring TO find
section OF the civil or criminal statutes of
the state under which prosecutions would
stand 1t is true that there has been
winlIi7g al the law, but to shut up Roby by
a legal course means simply the rulnation
CT all kinds of racing in Indiana, incluG-
ing harness racing. The selling of pools
is permitted on all tracks in the state, and
it is this that has been taken advantage
Of by the Roby managers. They are
living within tn law in all other particu-
lars it would seem. notwithstanding it is
said to be such great gambling institu-
ton. This selling Of pools, however, is the
only form of gambling which is counte-
nanced by the racing association, which
the governor is seeking to blot out. The
winter racing can hardly be proved more
severe than the heat racing at the sum-
mer meetings wAen the conditions are ex-
actly reversed when it is uncOmfortably
hot rather than uncomfort ably cold.
Governor Matthews and the attorney
general, it Is understood, have found that
it would be impossible u secure the con-
viction of any of the racing class at
Hammond While there are many diff
culties standing in the way Of the state
officials and also Of the county officials,
the fact that the track Is to be closed
down Dec. 81 and also that the legislature
viii have convened within another thirty
days have caused the governor and the
legal officials 10 look TO this body for
amendments and new laws whereby the
Roby association will be brought clearly
within the statutes for control.
To begin wholesale arrests at the track
ard prosecutions even outside Of Hammond
would entail much work. and also there
would b no doubt of the contest OF the
eases and the asking Of injunctlons, which
would delay matters without having much
effect. The cry of buncombe might also
be raised and to avoid this undignifled
expression is something that Governor
Matthews Is trying to do. He is also en-
deavoring to do his duty.
1. Is said that Attorney General Ketch-
am evolved a plan by which ne thought
the association could be mastered. but It
would require an extensive campaign and
perhaps some such methods as were
adopted in suppressng the Columbian
athletic association.
The legislature will be able to afford
n surer means if it takes up the question
and the governor will call attention to the
matter in his message to the two houses
that some recognition cannot fail to be
given i.
The managers of the Roby association
are positive in their statements that winter
racing will not go al the track under the
rules OF the National turf congress-, of
which it IS a member. They insist that
.hey viii have a thoroughly legitimate
course with the races governed by this
turf organization so far the rules Of
racing are concerned. With winter rae
ing out of the way the question will sim
ply hinge on the selling of pools. If pools
can be sold on the trottcrs the bang tails
cannot be shut out. The gallopers, In
fact, have 'cinch" on this proposition
It is generally believed that the action of
the legislature. if It takes any action. VIII
be merely in the line Of preventing winter
sport and perahps stricter statutes to limit
the chances of fraud
The governor and the legal officials. it
Is said. have secured Information and
names Of persons for purposes Of prosecu-
ton in the event that they hive to push
the matter. These names were secured by
officers employed especially for the pur-
pose. Almost complete lay Of the affairs
OF the management is known. 1t is ques-
tionable, however, if it will ever be ncces-
sary TO pull the strings.
The governor when seen declined to say
what action he would take or when.