Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-01-12


B. Shaw, of Wisconsin.
The House then adjourned.
THE RACE TRACK INJUNCTION.
The publication in the GAZETTE of
yesterday that Judge Wexford of the
Circuit Court of Richmond, had grant
ed an injunction restraining further
racing, pool selling or book making at
the Alexander Island track, was not
surprise TO the knowing ones in this
city, for il had been whispered for some
time that steps looking to the stopping
of winter races at that track were being
taken. Three weeks ago the GAZETTE
stated that several lawyers in the city
were engaged in looking up the laws
on the subject and the recent racing in
the mud and slush at the track hasten
ed matters. The injunction was served
by Sheriff Veitch yesterday evening at
1875 o., ,ck on Messrs. 1. B., E. p. aid
G.. NJ. Jones, r. Vandergrift and w. G.
James, officers of the Grange Camp As
ISOLATION, restraining that organization
from conducting racing, book making,
pool selling, &C., on its grounds on Al
exander Island. The injunction was
surprise to these officers, but the two
last races were run Notwithstanding the
injunction. 1t is said that the officers
discIsm any intention Of contempt OF
cur. by allowing these last two races
TO be run, but concluded to finish the
card of the day and then to stop till
further legal proceedings could be had.
The fact that two races were run after
the injunction had been served was
promptly communicated to Attorney
General Scott
The injunction is returnable Mon
day, January 81.
The proceedings were taken by Judge
Norton, of this city, as citizen of Vir
:n;a, under the provisions of an
act Of the Legislature of 1892,
prohibiting racing and betting in the
State. An amendment to this act, ap
proved March 3, 1894, exempts agri-
cultural associations, grange camps,
driving clubs and similar chartered or
CARNATIONS from the provisions of the
act, and some surprise is expressed
among those familiar with the case that
the Injunction should have been grant
ed in view of the fact that a judicial de-
cision in favor of the Grange Camp As
ISOLATION has already been rendered
upon this veiy point.
10 May last, before the Alexander Is
laud track was completed, man nam
ed Mellin, claiming to be stakeholder
in the Grange Camp Association, made
application to Judge Keith for an in
junction similar to the one served yes
terday, which was refused upon the
ground that the association came with
in the exceptions specified in the
amendment to the act Of 1892. The
fact that Judge Keith is now president
of the Court of Appeals of Virginia in
dicates that the result may be the dis
olution of the injunction, and that rae
ing will be resumed.
The fact that the injunction was
granted in behalf Of the State will DE-
prive the Grange Camp Association OF
indemnity for the loss sustained should
the injunction be made permanent.
Had the injunction been granted upon
the application of a private citizen, he
would have been required to furnish a
bond sufficient to cover the loss sus-
tanned. The general impression is that
the move was instigated by parties in-
terested in the rival track run under
the charter Of the Gentlemen's Driving
Park, but Judge Norton is acting entire
ly independent of that club. This or
ganization comes under the same cate
CORY as the Grange Camp Association,
and should the injunction be made pei:
manent there seems to be no reason
why similar proceedings could not be
had in the case of the driving park.
The Injunction is unusually compre-
hensive and rigid in it's terms; it en-
Joins and restraints the defendant from
racing, making books, recording, SELL
ing, or entering pools, bets OF mutuals,
or indirectly, upon any races,
trials of speed, or endurance of horses
or other animals upon grounds owned
Or controlled by them in Alexandria
county or elsewhere in the State ofyir-
ginia. The injunction also prohibits
the association or its agents or asso-
ciates from using OF occupying any
building at Alexander Island, or else
where in this State, for pool-selling or
book-making purposes. They are pro-
hibited, too, from receiving the deposit
of any money Or any other thing of
value to be used in betting, or to be
forwarded to any one else for betting
ON the result of any horse race or con-
test.
The Commonwealth claims misuse
of charter, and the Attorney General
and his associate counsel, Judge Nor
ton, will press tie case vigorously, and
every phase of ths complaints
against the ASSOCIATION. They are coa.
ident of enforcing thelaw.. Il
Mr.. Isaac B. Jones, the president of
The association, was. seen in Washing
ION yesterday evening. When asked
what the association proposed to do in
: f,rence to The injunction, he said.
The Grange Camp Association has
never violated any of the laws of Vjr-
,inia, and does not intend to do SC.
rhe injunction will be .obeyed.
This morning Mr.. /. B. Jones and his
attorneys, Colonel F. L.. Smith, Mr.. |
Edmund Burke and Mr. a. W. Arm.
strong went to Ricbmond to lave ddo |