The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-20
RACING WITHOUT POOL-sELLING.

RACING WITHOUT POOL-sELLING.
One of the most valuable contributions
20 the discussion OF the racing question
is the first annual report Of the New York
State Racing Commission. extracts from
which we published yesterday.
This commission. composed OF August
Belmont. Edwin D.. Morgan. and John
Sanford, was appointed under the Gray
Percy law. which put into erect
the sweeping provision OF the new Con-
stitution Of New York forbdding all
kinds of gambling and lotteries. AS to
horse-racing. the report says:
This law was a new and radical de-
parture for the conduct OF racing within
this State. For the first time In its
history. the attempt was made, not only
TO remove racing from surroundings
which were not conducive TO its highest
development, but, through the state Rae
ing Commission and the Jockey Club, 10
provide safeguards against the recur-
renee of evils which. in the opinion of
many OF It's supporters. had become as
ISOLATED with the turf.
1t had been most confidently predicted
by the booksellers and book-makers tnat
this law would break up racing entirely,
but the New York courts decided that
horse-racing and sweepstakes were not
lotteries, and that the Gray-Percy law
was constitutional. and. so far from
breaking up racing, the commissioners
say:
There were in all i'm this State So races
run last year, under the auspices OF these
associations. so licensed by the commits
sion. To the owners of the winners OF
these races, the several associations paid
out the sum of f92,i53.
Touching the effect of these restrictive
laws upon horse-racing itself as a sport,
the report says:
The commission Is convinced that the
experiment of racing, under it's new con-
ditions is decided success. The pas
sage of the constitutional amendment
providing that pooi-seiiing. book making.
and other kinds OF gambling should not
thereafter be authorized or allowed
within this State. and requesting the
Legislature TO pass appropriate laws 10
carry the provision into effect. was A
great departure from former laws. and
might have been the occasion for unwise
action on the part of the Legislature
The Legislature however. with due re-
gard TO the constitutional requirement,
has authorized racing under such con-
ditons that the large amount Of money
in breeding establishments and racing
stables is likely TO be preserved, ana
the large number OF employees in and
about the conduct OF breeding and racing
of horses will continue to- he employed
xtss. hs az -
racing has been distinctly advanced.
The safeguards thrown about racing by
these provision have been found 10 work
as well in practice as IN theory. ihe
racing itself has been of the highest or
der. and many persons prominent IN the
community who have not OF late been IN
sympathy with racing have returned 10
or have for the first time become identi-
fled with the turf.
The loss, however, OF the very large
sums formerly obtained for privileges
sold the "book-makers and booksellers
amounting in 1894 at Coney Island and
Brooklyn alone to 1919, 30L96-caused a
loss to the Jockey clubs. who had also
TO pay a 3 per cent. tax on gross receipts
to the State.
reduced. because. 1t says:
Excessive or even large profits from
racing are doubtless things of the past.
but the associations must not only be
self-supporting. but must secure reason
ably liberal incomes, in order 10 oner
the premiums sufficient in importance to
induce the maintenance of breeding es-
Establishments and racing stables. when
are af host extensive Injuries.
As a means of increasing the revenues
of the racing associations, it asks the
right to make special charges for the
particular privileges of visiting certain
parts of the field
On the whole. the report is hopeful and
! most gratifying to all the lovers OF horses
and racing who can enjoy sport WITHOUT
feeling that gambling is OF II an nuns
pensatle accompaniment.
The Times has, simply on plain and eie
elementary points. contended for these
no,nts from the tirst, and the support
given by these experienced horsemef
seems conclusive.
u there are any defects in the Mauph
,ov we have now the guide OF a prac-
teal precedent for their CORRECTION II
tho Marpin law does not forbid all 'h'
| forms of gambling to which the cult
waited and initiated gamblers can resort
LET these gentlemen. who know the tricks
of the trade, inform the Legislature and
amend the bill
As 10 winter racing, that was only
an incident TO a saturnalia of gambling
run mad Stop the gambling, and the
...iiA ~. 81