The morning times., 1896-01-11
IS It BElM0NI'S DOING?
He Is Charged with Closing
Across River Tracks.
CAME UP IN LEGISLATURES
Mr. Maupin Defends Himself and De-
nies the New Yorker or His Agents
Have Approached Him-HOt Debate
on the Racing Question and Prom
ise of Even u Stricter Law.
2 r. = q. = q
Especial to The Times,

/ Richmond, Va, Jan. 10.-A sensation was
created here today by the publication in a
| morning paper of a paid communication,
which stated in substance that August Bel
mont, the, New Y ork millionaire turfman,
| who has bought Bennings race track, was
behind the attempt to close up the Virginia
! race tracks, ~ .4f4S4sz74
significant feature of the publication
4 is that the Introductory line of the article
reads; The Fairfax Herald will today
print the following interesting article, and
1t is now definitely known that Mr..
] August Belmont, the New York millionaire.
| who is the owner of one of tue largest
! racing stabies in the United States, has
| become The purchaser of the Bennings race
tracks, on the outskirts of Washington city,
| the transfer of the stock having been made
| few days ago.
The first racing meeti ing there under the
new regime is to begin ON April Is, and
| uie entrees ana phr.;is, n ave Decn announced
J Preparations are being made for large
meeting at the old Bennings track, which
| has been closed for several years. 1t Is now
| stated on reliable authority that the op-
1 position on the part OF some" Washington
| ians to the Virginia tracks across the river
has been brought about by those interested
| in the new cling movement in Washington,
whose purpose 1t is if possible, 10 prevent
any and all opposition.
SA Us BELMONI is ACIiN T..
1T is also stated that Mr.. Belmont's
( representative has been busy among mem
hers of The Legislature in creating senti-
ment against the Virginia tracks, discreetly
! ccnceaiing his true motives IN the matter
! IL is stated that Mr.. Be mopt'S representa-
| tive is the author of the resolution that
| passed the Agricultural Association, Which
| met IN Richmond some days since, CON
| demning horse racing in Virginia.
1T was also hiEied that representatives
NJ N..v York ppDDlp have, through SOME
friends in Virginia, been instrumental ~
reaching the Governors ear, ahu tlat tne
vnole matter would probanly nen. ,i';rh b'i.t
then known, except for an accident wLlcp
occurred a few days ago IN washington
city. which, it is said, let the cat o1'
of the bag, and revealed tne wnoIe
scheme of the New Workers. The New
York World. in an article, Published on
the day before the meeting OF the present
session of the Legislature, printed SUP
stantially the above-statcd Iacts, anu
on December the same paper puDlisDeu
:. 1t was stated in this column yesterday
thatthestrongha hand ofthe Jockey Club would
be felt when the Virginia legislature con
vened. 1t was said that a determined
effort would be made to close up tie two
outlaw tracks near Washington, so that
racing might be re-established at the
Bennings track, owned by August Bel
mont. How near this came TO being
true may be Judged from Governor
O'FerralIs message to the legislature
yesterday. He denOuDGes the Alexander
Island and St Asaph tracks i'll scatb1ng
terms.
MAUPIN DEFENDS HIMSELF.
Immediately after the opening prayer iii
the house. OF delegates this morning Mr..
Addison Maupin, the author OF the bill
abolishing race, track gambling, arose and
said:
Mr. Speaker, arise to a question OF
I hTld it.r hs Ii
of today i'll which find an article beaded
'BelmoDt's Big Scheme
THE New York millionaire has bought the
Bennings race track in Washington city.
and is said to be behind the attempt to close
the Virginia track.
Now. sir, and gentlemen of this honorable
body, l wish to disclaim any knowledge
OF any effort on the part of Mr.. Belmont
or his agents or of any person whatsoever,
other than members of this house, who are in
sympathy with this move. Ny action in
introducing this bill was dictated by my
sense of duty to the great element in our
State who think with me that this evil should
be suppressed by the strong arm of the law,
and any insinuation in the Fairfax Herald
or elsewhere or by any one is absolutely
false
HE HAD FRIENDS.
Mr.. McRae OF Petersburg. Immediately
upon the conclusion of Mr.. Maupin's re-
marks arose, and said that, speaking not
only for himself. but. as he believed, for
the entire holse. he would say that, ire
spective of the merits of Mr.. Maupin's
bill. which he did not propose TO discuss.
no one though, for a moment that his action
in introducing it vas prompted by Mr..
U.I,, tar-a ole 1r iut.
esied in the result. rs.
"Our acquaintance with the gentleman
from Henreco." said Mr.. McRae. although
brief. is yet sufficient TO assure us that in
proposing this bill he is actuated solely by
desire to effect what he considers right
and proper and for the best interests of the
people,
Mr.. Willard. who spoke on the same sub
ject. said he inferred from the article of
the Fairfax Herald referred 10, that it
was intimated that Mr.. Belmont and others. |
who had taken charge OF the race tracks |
near Washington, had brought some in |
fluence to bear in regard to the introduction |
of a measure prohibiting poolselling in !
Virginia.
WILLARD FELT CALLED UPON.
He disclaimed in the most positive terms |
that any influence whatever had been |
used by, Washington people and others
outside of this State to direct his action
in any particular channel
Nothing had influenced him in the stand he
had taken or might take in the future on
this matter. The only thing he had heard
were some remarks as to the existing con-
dition of affairs, the truth of which he
could not deny
Capt. George d. McBlake. the president
of the Richmond Riding and Driving As
sociation, is authority for the statement |
that Delegate Reddy, of this city, will
introduce bill in the house of delegates
tomorrow prohibiting racing from the 1st
of November to the 1st of April, and allow
ing pool selling only thirty days during the
racing season.