New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-07
nd civ
THE GRAY RACING BILL.
CHIEF TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AMONG HORSE
MEN-A CHANCE FOR THE REVIVAL OF

THE GRAY RACING BILL.
CHIEF TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AMONG HORSE
MEN-A CHANCE FOR THE REVIVAL OF
WHOLESOME SPORT.
Inasmuch as the Gray racing bill is the chief
topic discussed wherever horse-owners. breeders
and admirers of either the trotter or thoroughbred
congregate, the views of the advocates OF honest
racing. free from the faint of professional gam
bling, may he of some interest to readers OF The
Tribune. This paper has been fearless, uncom-
promising foe Of the many evils that have from
time to time caused respectable persons to look
upon racing and its accessories with suspicion
Years ago The Tribune pointed out plainly to the
racing world that the arrogance and hiSh-hahdeu
methods of track-owners and their close atihauoh
with the betting ring would bring about disaster "
the turf Through its columns The tribune ii-
pored and entreated the officials OF the 'uri' wiz
out avail to wipe out the abuses thal "e'e pam
to everybody except the racing ofnciais
dividends were the sole aim of the tracK-o"hers
wbo controlled the governing bodies or the turf
Important questions respecting the reio'i' Vi VI.
abuses that so plainly apparent OH ."e '"'
waro ignored while the men VINO were AT 'he heau
., racing affairs wasted hours, days and weeks dis
-, whether a Jockey should raise his right
hord or his left when asking permission to dis
mount The question was settled by giving the
,ockev permission to raise either hand Inc Tore
Going Is a forcible example of the many questions
that required the weighty CONSIDERATIONS Oh ire
turf magnates.
In the mean while the evils constantly in
creased nurtured by the selfish motives Of the
track -owners. The result the adoption OF the
racing clause in the revised state Constitution that
was carried by an overwhelming majority In the
November election.
The people Of the great State OF New-York had
spoken and Tammany methods on the racetrack
went down in the vortex of the maelstrom OF pub
lie Indignation that buried corruption, pulls and
bosses into a common grave. When the air had
cleared. the extent OF the catastrophe that
threatened the entire structure of trotting and rae
ing together with the breeding interests IN this
State caused the better element engaged in racing
and breeding unite upon policy to be pursued
to save a great sport well as profitable INDUS
try to the farmers Of this State
Such men as August Belmont. James X. keene
Colonel William p. Thompson, General stephen san
ford John L. Sanford. Charles j. Hamlin. Robert
Bonner and a host of men equally as prominent III
social and business affairs came to the rescue OF
racing and the breeding interests of the State
The better features OF the Gray bill and the
Wudes bill represent the opinions and the desire OF
the leaders OF both the trotng and the racing IN
terests In he State.
AS far as the Ives law and the Saxton amend
ment are concerned prominent lawyers diner from
Attorney General Hancock. who is quoted as saying
that the Ives law is still In force and Will remain
so until repealed. AS Governor Morton requested
the Legislature to repeal the Ives law In his mes
bv the Legislature II this is done 1t Is evident
that The defeat OF the Gray bill means city pool
rooms and the death of racing IN this state. $500
ure 10 ridculousy absurd as the tracK,o"nels w
brought about the earthquake through their deal-
ings with the gamblers. are not mentioned or
noticed by the men who are devoting their enerS,. .
and time 10 the rescue OF the greatest OF al OUT
door sports from oblivion. J. A d. A H. motifs &c n
cared off every stake and future contest booked ny
the Newly Jockey club ana retired 70 .c"-
Orleans to witness ne an scarf, po,e oy 80
each Michael F Dwyer intends 10 race IN Eng
and has renqushed his interests IN Ane'can rdcis
property. Philip j. Dwyer Is In the CITY Dut ne Is
now OF the opinion that racing analrS are III sVou
hands The men who advocate the Gray rang nS
bill above the criticisms OF M opRomSes %
honest racing II the columns Of The irlDunc OF
years ago are carefully scanAe n II WI n,-r Wv
seen tina; alleged reformer passed y, p3o'rooins'
20 policy shops and scores Of grecngo',is hedl-
quarters to inveigh against the evis OF r"onn ,
peter De Lacy and his representatives, are mercy
masks for the powerful monopoly behind them 70
body is deceived by De LAcys pretensIonS OF per
sonal grievances agans; racing men.
There are gambling clauses Tor feter ue ron
derous To attack On the other hand. the gambling
clause in the bin is for the suppression OF camping
prisonment IT, as bookmaker expressed u last
night De Lacys aim to place ir.d b Snd his
allies desire TO promote lawlessness rather than pre-
vent It. T., ,,,,
change OF opinion In regard TO the matter OF A
licensing board. The proposition Is likely 20 be
position that might possibly be construed as an ay
OF DE Lacy As far az the licensing Oh facetrhCks
is concerned, ii Is secondary mattel a. the JOCKEY
Club is now firmly established that 1t makes no
material difference although It IL the general opinion
that Discretionary powers should be given TO ~
stewards. TO suppress such places az MaSpeth
and kindred tracks as they appear
Should the Gray bill become a law. IL IL Hkely tha'
the Jockey club tracks viii all the moneys re-
ce!ved by them into a racing fund. and that In the
near future racing an investment VIII pass away
and the public viii have chance to enjoy clean ana