Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-02-07
THE MAUPIN BILL.

AS stated in the GAZETTE of that day
the House of Delegates yesterday even
ing by vote of 63 to 10 ordered to its
engrossment and second reading the
Maupin anti-gsmbling bill.
The Maupin bill prohibits book-mak-
ing, pool-selling and all other forms of
betting at all race tracks.
The entire morning session was
occupied in the discussion of the bill.
Mr.. Reddy completed his argument
in favor of the Pitcher bill, which was
substituted in the committee for his
own, and made q creditable fight for q
failing cause.
He was followed by Mr.. Pitcher who
vent into history of gambling laws,
and maintained that his bill would re-
strict the evil while the Maupin bill
would throw down the bars. He
showed that in 1887 no laws bearing on
the subject existed in Virginia. He told
of the pool. room which thrived for some
time on the corner of Twelfth and Bank
streets, Richmond, and made humor-
GUS allusion to the men who frequented
it. He called attention to the fact that
the preachers did not cry that down.
He added to the intensity of the oppo.
sition on the part of Christian people
by his thrusts at preachers and religi-
Gus organizations, when Mr.. Keesee, of
Halifax, who followed him, stated that
the Christian organizations and every
preacher in Virginia were in favor of
the Maupin bill. Mr.. Pitcher inter-
rupted him to say that he knew of men
who were against it, for no other rea-
son than that the preachers were for it.
Mr.. Keesee reminded him that in the
last day, when their hours were num-
bered, it was not to a gambler that mea
called for consolation, but preacher.
Mr.. Keesee frequently raised the laugh
on his opponent. Mr.. Keesee, who is
populist, said if the measure was defeat
ed his party would proclaim from every
stump that the democrats were respon-
sible for it. When it became evident
that the friends of the measure had an
overwhelming majority, filibustering
was resorted to in the hope of prevent
ing vote being reached.
Mr.. Willard next addressed the
House, and said that it appeared to
him that the question of racing and
pool-selling were separate and distinct.
He thought that all legislation should
be- looked at primarily from moral
standpoint. He referred to the remarks
of Mr.. Reddy that temptation was nec-
essary to keep the youth of the land
from becoming milksops, and denied
that any such necessity existed. He
gave brief history of pool-selling in
the State. He was Intercepted by MIR.
Pitcher, and said that he was not OPP
posed to horse racing for a purse, but
was unquestionably opposed to all
species of betting. The Offering OF q
purse on q racing contest, he stated, was
similar in many respects to the offer
ing of medal on scholastic contest.
The condition of affairs in Alexandria
county he characterized as stigma on
the fair name of Virginia, and argued
vigorously that the evil should be
remedied by proper legislation. He
considered it the duty of every man in
the State, whose interests would be at.
fected by the Maupin bill, to sacrifice
those interests in behalf of the bill.
When Mr.. Willard resumed his seat
Mr.. Harwood sprang to his feet and
called the pending question, and Mr..
Thomas moved that the House adjourn.
The latter motion was voted down, and
several gentlemen hesought Mr.. Har-
wood to withdraw his motion but he
declined to do SO. Mr.. Pitcher then
moved to adjourn, which was voted
down, and the vote on ordering the bill
to its engrosement was taken, which
resultedSayes 63, nays 12-those vot-
ing in the minority being Messls. Boaz,
Bryant, Hatcher, Lee, Lewis, Pitcher,
Reddy, Stovall, Tsliaferro, Thomas,
Vale and Mr. Speaker. MIR. May was
not recorded as voting.
Come bad blood was stirred up, and
in one or two cases hot words were used
in the lobby. The vote was surprise
to the opponents of the measure. They
will carry the fight into the Senate.
where they have better prospect of
success.
The fight in the Senate will no doubt
be even hotter than it was in the House
and certain it is that the vote will be
very much closer, the friends of the
Maupin bill only claiming four majority
:, tho biohar branch