New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-08

ADVANTAGES or THE GRAY BILL.
JAMES r. KEENEs FoRcEFUL REMARKS AT Al.

JAMES r. KEENE's FoRCEFUL REMARKS AT Az
BANY ~ ADVOCACY OF THE MEASURE.
Now that the Gray bill is fairly launched on the
tempestuous of legislation at Albany. the entire
trottlng and racing world are praying for speedy
and prosperous voyage for their hopes of legitimate
and wholesome racing are bound up with the Dill
The general opinion OF breeders. owners and the ad
vocates Of respectable racing was portrayed In the
forcibc. energetic and convincing remarks made by
James X. Kcene before the Committee on Codes at
Albany The situation was clearly and emphat-
cally expressed follows: I'VE do not come here
to ask for anything which the Legislature cannot
consistently grant to us Tho Jockey club and the
trottins associations well as the breeders. do
not ask that poOselling bOokmakng or any other
form OF organized gambling be permitted They
merely ask that the Legislature decide that racing
for purses. sweepstakes and handtcaps be dehned
legal right OF breeders and owners of horses
Sweepstakes handcaps and purse racing mean that
a number OF men enter their horses in race In
which the total OF the moneys subscribed Is dStro-
uteI 10 the three horses that finish first Each
nomlnator incurs certain monetary obligations. SO
bind him keep faith. and 70 secure contests
between the hlghest-cass horses either trotters
racers All that Is asked IL TO permit such contests
without danger OF the arrest OF breeders and the
officials OF the racing associations where such con-
tests are held II asked for the privilege Of
poOlsepg. boOkmaking and the other methods or
betting It would avail nothing. because 1t would
be Illegal The members of the Jockey club and the
trotjng assocnt tons do not ask for any privilege
that conflicts with the law. There is not a man at
this hearing who doesn't understand the revised
Constitution II Is our 1--we up to II by asking
that tho Legislature define what constitutes gam
bling under IT,
Everybody knows that II Is intended to suppress
open or organized gambling whore states lists
and other paraphernalia are exposed. All We ask
IS that casual Individual bets between individuals
shall not be construed n msdemcanor or felony
under the Constitution. All We desire Is fairness
AMI an Interpretation OF the Constitution, conso-
nant with he desires OF the vast majority OF our
citizens. The Jockey club represents the thor
oughbrod hors. owners and breeders. as the repre-
scntativcs OF the troting clubs do the trottng IN
ior,sts II IL their desire that IN your ehu"aEorS
IA law will be formed that will conform 10 the Con
silttion and protect the breeders. owners ana tho
larg. number OF men associated with racing ana
trotlng IN this state. If such measure is
aaopf. tho true interests of tho citizens OF TINS
Sra,e VII! be conserved and men who desire -
conform win the law can continue 70 brNri horses
rae" them anu contribute 20 tio t '"''nl ~.
perlty without becoming amenabe TO sninpt"dty
/, f. reported about town that hurdle has been
PLACED Iu fh- way OF the racing laws that can
only Doe sIrmountsd 10y some OF the To't "Np.rt
riders .u tho squadron OF black horse cafalry
quAr.or,l Albany II this is So. N" builders of
IN HURDLE have their labors for their pains as n"
rIr,trl. Ns have no prospects OF l1rG" venue
from betting rings, and the men who a'lvoctt. IN"
t,rt. b D. lr- breeders and horse o~ - who hay"
no Interests in tho racetracks other ihan - race
thor hors,, for the amusement ana proht ~ the
August Ielmon, incurred q loss 81 $40" for he
pri..'er" OF racing last s"ls.n Marcus pay
i,sa.s amounted 20 upward OF 500 Many others
incurred h-afJ losses. bUt ar" Wiling 10 pay Tor
~. .plft AS They pay Tor their yachurE and other
'uNufirs Racing and trotting ar" un"qutll"i "a
mn. nuu.s ~ tho distribution u money. ~ nearly
ct.rs lnIl.'riai chtnre. receives proportion ~
- ,.,..s, racing think ~ some calling that IS not
benefited hr tAe horse and hts devo'"''