The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-04-10
Is THERE A LEGAL REMEDY FOR
RACE TRACK GAMBLING?

1t was hoped by the law-abiding citizens
of Cecil county, when Messrs. Muller and
Bower were granted an injunction by
Judge Russum, to restrain the Cecil County
Agricultural Society from leasing the
racing privileges of the grounds to other
parties, that the Act of the Legislature of
| 1894, and the recent decision Of the Court
of Appeals in the case of the State against
Thomas Dycer, the book maker, would
have been explained by the court, so they
might know, what, if any remedy was at
hand to rid them Of one of the most I'M
mitigated nuisances, ever inflicted upon a
patient community.
Unfortunately, the race track proprietors,
deprived them of that opportunity, by set
Ting the case out of court.
Although there has been no intimation
as to what the decision of Judge Russum
would have been-and in fact, there could
not be any opinion until the fdctS were he
fore the court-we cannot but infer, that
the book makers and gamblers, were adj
yised by the astute lawyers on both sides,
that the position originally taken by the
WIG in its editorial Of October 10, 1875,
was correct, and that the result of their
litigation would be the routing of the race
track hordes, whose presence is IL stigma
upon the county, and a disgrace to the
State.
We contended then, and we repeat now,
that it was never the intention Of the Legis-
lature to confer on agricultural societies,
and owners of race tracks, and driving
parks, "a gambling franchise, which they
could sell, assign or tranfer to whom they
please, and make money out of such sale.
assignment or transfer.
Consider the language of the law a
moment.
When the Legislature declared, that
nothing in the Act Of 1894, Chapt. 232,
'shdH rcnd0 ii unlawtM for ANY PERSON
to make a pOol or 4 bo0k', or to bet within The
grounds Of dHy agricultural dissertation, on
upon any horse rdce which shdHJ heH withit
the same grOHBds'-it meant exactly what
it said, and the book makers who put NJ
their money, and pay heavily for the priv.
lege of betting on these races, are pure
simpletons.
They, or "any person." can by paying
the admission fee, go on these race tracks,
and make all the pools, or bets of any kind
they see proper, and we contend, tina,
neither the Agricultural Society, nor the
track or park owners dare modest them.
This is evidently what the gamblers were
advised by counsel here, or some where
else, and they knew, that as soon as the
book makers and pool sellers found that out
there was an end of any chance for illega
gains by selling these privileges.
Hence, they settled.
But, have the citizens of Cecil county nc
remedy in this matter?
We think they have.
There is no question, in the opinion Of
any fair minded citizen, that these races
|
that the law affords ample remedy, botl
civilly, by injunction, and criminally, by
indictment.
They are nuisance, because they bring
together large numbers of idle and disreput
able persons, encouraging dissipation, in
jurying the morals, and disturbing the
| md ,rnnl pr5ar nf Snnatv tIa,
can be abated, in either of the ways men
toned.
The only thing needed is the initatory
action of our citizens, ,chO harc the mora
courdge to set on foot tie necessary procced
ingS
Have we such citizens?
That's the question.
So far as the Agricultural Society is con
cerned, there is no doubt, that its proceed
ings are calculated to imperil its charter
and whether its stockholders will Longer
submit, to have matters 90 on as now, OF
whether they will, before it is too late, ant
in the interest of good morals, decent agr
culture and society's welfare, take steps to
stop it, remains to be seen.
The people Of the county know, there
are many among the stockholders who are
not sharing in the plumber of the book
makers.
Let them come to the front, they have
ample legal ground to stand on.