Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-05

county had been gs5easa by certain .ts4 per per-
to establish driving park at
jackson City and run 1t under this old
charter and conduct racing and sell pools
under the act of Marchr3. 1894. 1 saw at
once there was trouble, and instead of rid
ding the Virginia bank of the Potomac
of the cursed spot it would be continued
in an intensified form. and SO it has been.
Law-Abidins People Outraged.
II do IN not t hesitate n.s that this pass
and law-abiding people, of Virginia. and
they feel outraged that a lot of non-resi-
dent gamblers, who hayt no interest in the
fair name or welfare of Virginia, should
be permitted to settle themselves down on
the south bank Of the Fbtomac and there
pursue their nefarious business with brazen
check, gathering from every quarter the
worst classes, under charter granted to
an honorable association of farmers for
the promotion of agriculture etc, some
way acquired by these men.
"a short time since, under my direction,
the attorney general obtained an injunction
against the owners and managers of this
race track. At the hearing, for reasons
well understood between the attorney gen.
eral and myself, the proceedings were sus-
pended. These people are, however, rest
ing upon very uncertain ground, and while
tley seem 10 1eel tutil lucy are StCuIe, lHt
day is not distant when they will find
themselves mistaken. They have outraged
decency. fostered crime perverted legisla-
ton and bid defiance to public sentiment
already too long is not ha proper for
Virginia prohibits faro banks, gaming
tables and all species Of card gambling,
and she will not tolerate horse racing for
pretense of encouraging the breeding of
horses. If she cannot make the raising of
horses profitable without corrupting the
youth of the country and drawing to her
borders the people VINO have been run
then she had better stop the breeding of
blooded horses. She is paying too dearly
for the profit she makes.
81 am lover Of fine horses; have owned
many But 1 believe it is as wrong to
gamble with them as with cards, and one
Is as corrupting as the other
Washington Citizens Take Action.
The remarks of Gov. O'Ferrall and the fact
that the yIciousness existing in Alexandria
county affected Washington almost exclu-
siyely both in a moral and substantial sense,
led the people of Washington to consider
" neither it would not be well to take some
steps which might lead to assisting the state
authorities in their desire to purify such an
important and populous section of the COM
monwealth. Accordingly. a committee was
selected by a meeting of citizens to consider
the conditions existing in Alexandra coun-
ty. The committee addressed itself to its
work with earnest vigor. and some OF its
me mbers went to Richmond and consulted
with Gov. O'Ferrall and the attorney general
of Virginia on the subject. At this confer
ence Gov. OFerrall reiterated strong de-
sire and unwavering determination to rid
Alexandria county Of the gamblers that
infested 1t, and accepted the proffer of the
visitors to secure evidence which might aid
him in the prosecution of the violators of the
law. The committee returned to Washing
ton well satisfied with their interview. and
proceeded to secure evidence by means of
detectives and others against the gamblers
who We're pursuing their avocations on the
other side of the Potomac. This testimony
was prepared by competent lawyers and
II transmitted to the governor of Virginia and
it's receipt acknowledged and the announce
ment made by Gov. O'FerraN that when the
attorney general had daonpleted his duties
before the supreme courtI. then in session,
the matter of eradicatinx the evils in Alex
andria county would be taken up.
Delay That Had 4 Purpose.
Then there ensued long period of delay
and inaction, which BECAME irksome to the
people of Washington and to the committee.
which had worked so zealo.isly to assist the
Virginia state officials Published comment
On this apparent inactivity caused Gov.
OFerrau to misunderstanding real position
of the people of Washington, and those who
represented them in the board of trade COM
mittee. and. accordingly. Rhe Evening Star
entered into a correspondence with him
which quickly led to fuH appreciation on
his part of precisely how matters stood in
Washington. and. on the other hand. gave
assur ance to Washington that Gov. Offer
rail- was not neglecting The matter.
Fall Outline of HIS Plans.
On August % last Gov. O'Ferrall. in a
personal letter written to the editor of The
II
| lined the course he was pursuing in relation
to the evils in Alexandria county. In the
course Of this letter the governor wrote:
However, l believe / have matters sc
! shaped now that l can take decisive steps
| and as soon as return to Richmond. which
will be next week, shall put on foot move
ment from which look for good results.
Il have succeeded in having special Jus
| tice appointed by the court who is believe:
| to be an incorrupt!ble man; 1 have secured
| the services of courageous and reliable
| detective who will be clothed by the Judg
| with the powers of a constable; he mas beel
| over the ground and understands it, and i
| familiar with every gambling house: he i
| at the head of a strong detective force, an
| will use his own men. He will have instruc
tons to raid every locality. arrest ever.
| gambler, alder, abettor, etc, and desIro
| every gaming table. device, etc.
| 1.-The men when arrested will be take
| before the special justice named and if tn
| evidence warrants II ne Will SEND them L
Jail. or require them to give security TO
their appearance In court to answer lnjict
ments. A special grand judy will be sum
moned and indictments found. If the par
ties are not present their bail will be for
feited and will make acquisitions for Their
| upon the District.
This is my plan now, and I have grea
| hope of success, but Of course the utmos
! secrecy must prevail"
The Attorney General VIII Prosecute
Further on the governor said that whe
the time comes the attorney general will
on hand to direct the prosecutions. In con
clusion, Gov. O'Ferrall wrote:
THE evidence placed in my hands by you
board of trade will be used after the IA!
has been made. If used before it woul
give alarm and put the whole gang on the
guard. In view Of all have said think
would be we'll to let the impression SO OF
that the Virginia authorities are doing moth
ing, for when the raid Is made would lik
to catch them when they are in all tne
glory. l would like to gather in a regimen
OF them and the special constable who wi
have tine matter in hand will capture ever,
thing in sight If he has good chance. H
is nst the man for the business. and ever
gambler and crook will forever thereafte
have mortal dread of him.
In a telegram from Richmond last nigf
| Gov. OFerrall stated that The Star coul