The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-10-19
A PROTEST AGAINST GLOUCES-
TER AGENCIES AT ELkTON.

| len AGENClES AT ELkTON.
In our last issue we took what we be-
lleve to be perfectly tenable ground, in
the denial of the legal right OF the man
ayers OF the Cecil Agricultural Society, to
sell the gambling and pool selling franchise
specially conferred upon the Society by an
Act OF the Legislature, while the same
right and franchise is denied to the citi-
zens OF the State generally and gambling
and pool selling on horse races are pro-
hlbited everywhere within the limits OF
the State, except for thirty days in each
year upon certain fair grounds.
That this gambling franchise, specially
conferred by the legislature for the osten-
sible object Of encouraging and fostering
the agricultural interests of the county,
was questionable enough when enjoyed
IN connection with an actual annual agri-
cultural show held in good faith, but when
separated from such annual exhibitions this
gambling franchise is to be enjoyed solely
for the monetary profit OF a gambling syn
dictate, the sale of the franchise for such
purpose defeats the ostensible object for
which it was conferred upon the Society,
and its use by such foreign syndicate, be-
comes public fraud and palpable wrong,
upon the people of the county and State.
But valid as the WHIG's objection-on
the ground of ilegality-to this bargain
and sale of the public gambling franchise
may be, there are even more serious ohjt,-
tions to re-opening Gloucester at Elkton,
in support of which objections we are
confident, we will be sustained by the
overwhelming sentiment of the county.
Sucrinctly stated, these objections are:
a. That the money considera ton paid
our Society, is no Offset to the moral stigma
put upon TIE county, By making the county
seat the habitual resort of gamblers ard
sharpers, who thrive on the profits Of
the race track
-. That the local business incident to
this public gambling, that will accrue To
the town of Eikton, is no remuneration
for the disgrace put upon the county, and
the implied pauperization of our people,
who tolerate, for the miserable sum o.!
$1,000, a gambling institution. that the
moral sentiment of New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware will
rot tolerate
%. That while the people of Cecil
,ptN tI,n - e.
ayers of the Society, who have without
legal authority or warrant, put this stigma
upon their soil, they are, without regard
to politics, equally opposed to the Glou-
cesterizcd Elkton Fair Grounds, being
made political machine, to serve the pur-
poses of certain party Bosses, who propose
to administer the patronage of the Cecil
Gloucester for their own personal uses.
(4.) That it is prostitution of the
purposes and objects OF the Cecil Agricul-
tnral Society, that by agreement under the
contract made with the Gloucester syndi-
cate, Mr.. John NJ. Tucker, the secretary and
treasurer OF the local Society, whoisalso pres
idcnt of the Board of Election Supervisors
for Cecil county, shall be made the
purchasing agent of the syndicate, author
lied to employ its workmen and lahorers,
who are now being so employed by him,
directly for the syndicate, but indirectly
to aid the Democratic faction he repre-
ents.
%. That being upon the eve of an
important State and county election, the
Use OF this gambling patronage, to foster
the interests of political faction in our
county, represented in the person of the
secretary OF the Cecil County Agricultural
Society, who is also county election
officer, in the tml loynent OF numbers OF
men on the Gloucesterized grounds, whose
sole qualification is their willingness to
cast their votes as the factional leaders who
employ them may dictate, is violation OF
the spirit OF fairness and decency that has
generally characterized our county.
CO. That the WING, in behalf of the
people Of this county, regardless of par
titan politics. makes serious protest against
the corrupting influence of this gambling
agency now located in our midst, and be-
lieves the best sentiment of the county
will sustain that protest.
WHAT A rECu nEMnrDhr cnIn