New-York tribune., 1895-02-13
p1CTNG WJTHOUT BETTING RINGS.


The bill which has been introduced In the AS
sembly by Mr.. Gray, entitled An Act for the
'incorporation OF associations for the improve
..ment Of the breed Of horses, and to regulate
.thc same. and to amend the Penal Code OF 'he
state OF New-York.' seems 10 possess COM
mendabe features. II this bill becomes law
II will apparently permit hlgh-class and honor
able racing on regularly licensed racetrhcRs uh-
der proper management and control The severe
penatics which 1t provides for every FORM OF
bookmaking and pool-selllng will do away en-
trcy with betlng-rings and poolrooihS' anu
with tbe conntless abuses and evils which have
always accompanied the existence Of poolrooms
and of beting-rings on racctracks. MI 'r"! >
bill II il should be- made statute, wonu aiso
put an end 10 the denominations of eiectric-iigh'
racing. 10 midwintcr contests OF speed. ana 10
all competitions between horses on miserable
little tracks started chiefly for the purpose OF
fleeing the public. The Gray bill Is likely to
have the support Of many people In 'hls STATE
who desire 10 see running and trotting contests
carried on with proper supervision ana resuia-
tons IL l. an undoubtcd fact that the voters
of the Empire State have decided that New-lork
shall never again be afflicted and cursed with
the hideous cancers and ulcers Of licensed and
lcgalzed betting-rlngs on racecourscs. The VII
lanics Of the bctting.rin will never he toll
Grated In this State again.
The Gray bill aims 10 make II clear that
racing under proper conditions shall not be
looked upon as Il lottery, and be- subject 10
pcnaltics as a game OF chance. 1t proposes TO
permit reputable jockey clubs and trotting As
sociations. which have been regularly licensed
tn oar m clean and decent
and honorable sport, which shall tend in very
fact and truth 10 the improvement OF the breed
Of horses and shall not be perverted as an in
strumcnt for the promotion OF gambling. This
act will not authorize any form Of pool-sclling,
bookmaking or other gambling. and VIII noi
come in conflict with the constitutional amend
mcnt which was adopted by an overwhelming
ma iorlty OF the voters OF this State last Novem-
bcr. and which prohibited the Legislature from
passing any laws intended TO authorize any form
OF gambling on races. This measure seeks 10
impose n tax of ) per cent upon the net receipts
Of racccourses which shall be used in behalf OF
the State for prizes for improving the breed Of
cattle sheep and horses at the various fairs
throughout the State.
The Tribune has always advocated The
licensing Of raceira"ks. the entire suppression
Of racccourses which are improperly managed,
or which are misused chiefly for the develop
mont and continuance Of gambling. ana upon
which the sport Is not practised with the right
kind Of supervision and regulation. The IT'D
linc is heartily In favor Of absolutely prohibiting
any sort of racing with running ar trottlng
horses on any track that * not licensed by sat
isfactory authority. II is also strongly in favor
Of the complete suppression Of all betting'rinSs'
poolsclng and poolrooms. This Gray bill ap-
pears To be sufficiently rigorous To put an end
to these evil things. II may bc that the pro-
posed statute will require some notifications
and amendments. and at some future day The
Tribune is likely 10 consider the matter further.
But II seems 10 be- clear that the suggested law
has desirable fcrturcs.