The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-25
THE RACE-TR4Ck rms.
VIII the People be Deceived Into Accept
ing Lseaiized Gambling?

To the Editor OF The Times.
Sir,-rhe people OF the state should
get the present issue on race-tiack
gambling clearly before them The adj
vocates OF this gambling would con1ound
10 with everything possible 10 throw at
tCntlOn from the real question. stripped
OF everything, the question before us
is: VIII Virginia, for the sake OF pOr-
ton OF the spoils, legalize vice that will
attract TO her border the lowest element
of society and debauch her own young
men: Every suOteriUge known 10 the
WHY is brought forward 10 perpetuate
this disgrace now upon us. ihey say
il will ruin the farmers and stock raisers.
The farmer IL does not touch, ana the
few raisers of fine horses, about dozen,
will be but little affected. Several OF
these latter have expressed theF ap-
DrOVal of the Mdupln Dill. If the rev
remaining are dependent upon the moral
carrion afforded by the disgrace OF the
whole State. they had better cease TO
be financially. The State mad better
buy them out and give their few horses
away. They have yet TO prove, now
ever. that 10 stop this vice of gambling
is TO put the me horse AT a discount.
Whatever Of FEASIBILITY there may seem
10 be Ia this pretense, i'm their latest
argument for directing 10 the Maupin
bin. there is not even plausibiity. Ihey
say the bill viii not stop winter racing.
They have already SAID II Woulp nreah
up an racing in Virginia lther represen-
and now they come and say II VIII not
break up winter racing IT the general
statement is false IN one particular IL
is false i'm all. The bill VIII not break
mp legitimate racing, but VIII pledh ~
winter racing and racing for the sole
purpose of gambling why IS winter
racing conductedt Merely that the
gambling on il may continue. Nhat Is
the life of this abomlnable pracuce
Pool selling ana bOOkmaking. Va mere -
winter racing carried on At 81. Asapn
and Alexandria Island. Now, take away
the pool selling ana boohmahlhS' anu
what becomes OF winter racing II u
clear TO every mind that this iS-a nlmsy
argument. advanced Tor the sole pur-
pose of allowing gambling TO continue.
WHY are some of agricultural societies
fighting for the continuation OF thla wee
al certain seasons For the same red-
SON mat they fought for the wheels OF
fortune and other gambling games on
their grounds (as told the writer py the
president of a society, becduse tlVs al"
narticipants In The benefits of the sam
blers TO the extent that they pay the
society large amount for the privilege
of fleeing the young men or the com
munitv. This Is f.e situation. gambler
cast out from New York Ne" Jersey,
Illinois or other places. Is nv go w
Richmond 10 do business Tor Iltteh
DAYS: he wins from our citizens S@,DD0
lie PAYS 10 the agricultural society N-uo
for the privilege, and carries lhe uaianCc
with him. How has the 0ocie,t CIV w
gambler helped the city, HelDeu 10
take away 81 SOo Of the wives, mothers;
and children. and left in place or II, II
not ruined homes and hungry cnhIteh;
the character OF our young men tiis"t'"
ana ruined. who that has the best IN
terests of the state AT heart Is wiling
for this ruinous business 10 continue
even for fifteen days. or for one DAY!
An overwhelming majority OF the peo-
ule OF the state are opposed 10 longer
legalizing this vice. surely the repre-
sentatives Of the people Will not DEFY the
peoplc. In Texas an extra session OF
the Legislature was called 70 suppress
one prize fght. Honor TO the Governor
ginia be forced TO spend thousands Of
dollars 10 rid themselves OF practice
that is as bad as prize hghtins. when ;.
can be done without extra expense II
men do their udty? Let every opponent
of race-treck gambling speak by letter.
petition. or otherwise
" ASPURY CHRISTIAN.
Richmond. Va. Jan. %, 1895