Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-01-29


are heartily in favor Of the Maupin
bill, and unless relief is granted US in
this or some other shape don't know
what will become Of the county,.
Rev. J. T. Williams, pastor of the
Methodist Episcopal church, of Alex
andria, was next introduced. MIR. Will
liams said he was not opposed in any
way to the breeding OF good horses, for
he had owned many. He said that on
Sunday evening large audience had
assembled in his church, and there had
been addresses from solid business
men. They had said that the race
track, as it existed near Alexan-
dra, should be condemned by
ell. That it was subversive of
ali morals and YVES blot upon
the State Of Virginia, and petition
had been goreE up praying the legisla-
ture to do away with all horse race
gambling. Some persens, ne said, had
been around and interviewed every
pastor about their views as to the con-
dilion of the churches in that city, and
upon the condition of things in general.
Bless you" continued the speaker,
"the next issue of the Alexandria
Times held us all up as patrons of the
race course. In view of that, | think
the ministers have right to be heard
here this morning We DO not want to
see our young men and young women
debauched by gambling at race tracks.
We do not want our citizens sent to the
mad-ho on account of gambling, as
many have been. We love our State,
and are here in the interest of our men
and women. l believe good horses can
be raised without the race track.
Whatsoever We do, do all for the glory
Of God, and remember that at the last
day all of us must give account to God.
Mr.. A. G.. Uhler, of Alexandria, next
spoke ave come to you, gentlemen"
he said, "and ask you to pass the
Maupin bill for the protection of our
families. l have family of boys, and
l want to bring them up untarnished
by this vice. These gamblers come
here, | am told, and claim that they
have spent large sum of money in
Alexandria county, and have been of
much benefit to Alexandria, but they
don't tell you of how much money they
take from Alexandria, or how many
young men and women and old men
they debauch and ruin"
Mr.. Uhler spoke of great many in
stances of young men who have been
ruined by these gamblers. "These
things, gentleman" he said, ''are what
we come here to ask you to rid US of.
We ask you to pass the Maupin bill. l
hope it will be the pleasure OF this
committee to recommend this bill
favorably"
Mr.. Wibirt again took the floor and
said that, as representative of Alex
andria county, he asked that if bill
were passed 10 legalize gambling, he
hoped that his county would be except
ed from its provisions.
Mr.. G.. William Ramsay, of AleXan-
dria. said that the impression had got
ten abroad that it was the ministers of
Alexandria who were interested in this
movement; it was the people themselves
who were heart and soul in favor Of
the Maupin bill as means of relief
from these blood-suckers-the race
track gamblers.
Mr.. Reddy, in closing the discussion,
called attention to the fact that Judge
Norton, of Alexandria, while condemn
ing the bill introduced by him as evil,
had almost at the same time given to
Alexandria's representative in the Sen
ate a bill to introduce, giving twice the
length oftime for racing that his bill
did.
After q few remarks from Mr.. Maupin
the chairman declared the discussion
closed, and the committee went into
executive session.
After a session of half al hour the
committee decided by 9 majority Of one
to report the Reddy bill favorably. The
vote on the bill stood 4 to 4, and the
acting chairman, Ny. Murphy, cast the
deciding vote. Chairman Diggs left be-
fore the vote was taken.