The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-28
TIRGINIA'S POO. SELLING LAW.
IL Plotted Out Jackson City But Worse
State Of Thing Came In.


State Of Thing Came In.
The New York Sun, in its issue OF yes
terday, printed dispatches from us cor
respondents in several States on the pres
ont state OF the laws regarding pool
selling In other States than New YORK
and the effect OF such laws on horse rae
ing. The dispatches cover the territory
east Of the Mississippi river. Ihey dls-
close that only I'm Louisiana Is poo -stii-
ing allowed openly. The courts and the
Legislature there regard II as legitimate.
IN only two other States IS pooi-seiiinS
allowed These are Kentucky, where the
law prohibiting pool-rOoms I'm other places
tha'' AZ racing tracks has been declared
unconstitutional by Judge OF minor
court, and n Illinois. with the exception
OF COOK county. where "A Law and order
League has caused raids 10 be made on
tracks aud pOOl-rooms under the decision
ny inc highest court Of the State that
p2ol-seiiins is common gambling.
Ia other States the strict laws that
nave been passed and enforced have
crippled horse racing seriously and stop
iea ~ altogether in New Jersey and Con
hecucut. In Maryland one pOOl-room Is
run, apparently In spite OF the law. in
Virginia recent legislation stopped the
Jackson city gambling. but by a technical
evasion OF the law other places nave
sprung up. and the Governor says he is
Ip"eress 10 prevent pOOl-selling AT
tacks Chartered before the law went into
erect The Massachusetts laws are most
figid. but tolerance is practiced In many
PAGES, and, with the exception OF two
OF three cities. pOOl-sciling is tacitly
fonhtenanced. Recent legislation I'm Penn
savanna and Delaware will probably put
an end 10 all horse racing there. The
ulspdtcnes giving a full summary Of the
CONDITIONS IN the various States follow
vfRGNIs's LAW INEFFECTIVE.
The following IS the full text Of the
Iispaich from the Suns correspondent at
Richmond. Va:
The law Of this state regulating pool
selling has not had the effect that vas
u'Siel by It's trainers. The statute went
INTO effect on March 3. 1891. Ii was aimed
directly at Jackson City. I'm Alexandria
county, Just across the river from Wash
Ihston city. This place was simply a
Monte carlo.
All sorts Of gambling devices. from old
virginia "crap-shOOting" 10 bOokmaking
on foreign races We're carried on without
restriction Gamblers from all over the
country gathered there. most OF them
making their homes in Washington. and
crossing the river 10 do business" The
people OF Washington We're the first 10
raise protest and the refrain Of Down
with Jackson city, became general
throughout this State
~. w men the Legislature met In December
49, tnefe was general demand for a
taw "hich would wipe out this place
dria city, Presented bill which he was
sure would put an end 10 Jackson CITY.
ana 10 was passed. Although Governor
= terrall didn't like the bill. he signed
~ al the urgent request Of Captain Mush-
Dach, who assured him that ii would
hdye the desired effect.
The law resulted, however. In a clear
case Of the frying-pan and the fire. Jack
son city was killed, but the law gave
"a al I..a HIa 81.
ana eject The law forbade book
making, pool-seling. or betting except
under the auspices of agricultural assoc
cations. state fairs, or driving parks
winch were already in existence, having
been chartered prior 10 the passage o.
the act Betting of any kind is allowed
under these conditions, providing il is
cone al the track where the racing Is held
and with the consent of the managers
Of the races.
The trainers Of the bill looked over the
list Of such organizations and argued
that. being chartered and differed by
Virginia gentlemen. 10 gambling con-
tdry 10 the spirit OF the law would be
tolerated. But the reform element reck-
Oned without its host for there was then
IN existence an old organization Of farm
ers, known as the Grange Association,
chartered by Fairfax county citizens for
the promotion Of agricultural interests.
which was destined TO furnish the Opp0i-
tunity for a gross violation Of the pur-
pose Of the law. This association. which
had had its headquarters In Fairfax cOun-
ty was not in a fiOurshing condition,
and It's secretary was enabled for mere
song 10 purchase a controlling interest
In the stock. which he sold 10 Jones Bro
theirs, the well-known bookmakers or
Washington, and others for a snug sum,
reported at between 5000 and $4,000.
Then all MAS smooth sailing. The
Alexander Island race-track. under the
name OF the Old Dominion track. was
started, with its auxiliary gambling dens,
and Nirgnians woke up 10 their helpless
condition. The Governor says he Is
pOwerless: that he cannot revoke a char
ter granted by the Legislature. that the
county court and It's officers must act, but
as yet they have failed 10 make out any
indictments. IL Is openly declared that
the county officers are interested 10 a
considerable extent In the enterprise. ana
the private citizens fearing bodily harm
for their pains. remain neutral Thus
this state of affairs exists in spite OF the
protests Of the people OF Washington,
Alexandria city. and virginia IN general.
In February last the State sued out an
Injunction against the rdce-fr4ck ueOui4
al Alexander Island. but 10 resulted i'm
a cOmprC mise. the racc-track men agree
mig 20 discontinue racing until the lse Of
April. when II was promptly resumed
The injunction. which was temporary and
granted as a courtesy 90 the state was
not made permanent The State did not
push H. knowing the result could not be-
otherwise than "a defeat.
The great trouble i'm Virginia Is with the
law itself. Under IL those who have an
old agricultural charter and Will utilize
IL can race horses and wager money as
much as they want 10 do so. The only
consolation the trainers have Is that Jack
son City was completely dismantled.
BOok-making I'm the cities on races al
a distance Is also entirely prohibited.
But where there is actual racing. whether
IL be by goats. dogs. or terrapins the
gambler can bet as much as he pleases.
The Richmond Riding and Driving As
sOciatiOn OF this city held meeting
here recently. and more books were made
than had ever before been seen In this
city. During the State Fair last fall
oran books were kept without molesta-
ton.
The ST. Asaph race-track. which is a
neighbOr Of the Alexander Island track,
and in operation until outlawed recently
bv the Jockey Club was conducted under
an old driying-park charter
The Governor says that when the Legis-
lattre meets in December next ne Will
recommend prompt action, and he j.
sure law will be passed which Will
remedy the present evils.
ONE MSS ron DIXON