The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-03-12

RACE TRACK BILL IN
Mr.. Armbruster Introduces
in the House the Gray
Law of New York.
INGENIOUS GAMBLING CLAUSES
Although Ostensibly Forbidding
Betting 1t Provides a Way for
Carrying 1t Onto
Die Monday.
INGENIOUS GAMBLING CLAUSES
specfo. to the Jersey CITY Ne,ss.

Al the Seildle on wednesday to nave th6
anti-gambhng amendment to the Consti-
tuition passed, was warranted by events in
the Home yesterday afternoon.
1t has been rumored about the Legisla-
ture all the session that a race track bill
was to be introduced, but few only took
more than passing notice Of the talk It
was observed, however, that Mr.. Arm
bruster of Hudson was an ardent defen-
der of racing and race tracks, and that
whenever an opportunity presented itself
he would talk upon the great harm that
was done MS district by the closing of the
Gutenberg race track. Yesterday morn
ing it wes whispered around that Mr.
Armbruster would introduce race track
bib, but 50 decidedly against race tracks
Is the sentiment of the present Legisa-
ture that no one believed what he heard.
Consequently much surprised was caused
IN the House yesterday afternoon where
while bills were being introduced Clerk
Parker read ''Bill 313, by Mr.. Armbrus-
ter. an act for the Incorporation of asSo-
Citations for the improvement of the breed
of horses and to regulate the same and
to establish State racing commission"
The Speaker referred the bill to the Com
mittee on Revision of Laws.
Leader Derousse looked at Deputy Lead
er Roll and Deputy Leader Roll looked at
Leader Derousse. Then they went
to see what the bill did They
found that it was copy of the Gray law
Of New York and that it provides that
number OF persons not less than five may
become corporation for that purpose
and act under the general corporation act
OF the State. No corporation shall be-
come operative until all the capital stock
subscribed shall have been paid in The
corporation shall have power to hold one
or mere trotting or running race meet
5I1ss each year. At such race meetings the
corporations or owners who are not par
ELEPHANTS in the races may contribute pur-
ses. prizes, ETC., to be contested for, but
no persons other than The owners of
horses contesting in race shall have any
pecuniery interest in the purses, prizes
etc Such meetings shall not be held dur
ing the period extending from April Is to
November Is inclusive in each year, nor
upon amy race course for more than forty
days within such period and all must be
run between sunrise and sunset. The GER
tificate of Incorporation shall specify the
length Of the track of not less than one
mile state racing commission con-
sfsting of three persons shah be appointed
by the Governor for a term of five years,
no two of whom shall be members of
the same racing association They shall
serve without compensation but shall
be paid necessary expenses. The COM
mission shall appoint Secretary at sal
cry of $3.50 to be paid by the State To
total expenses of the commission shall not
exceed 5000 a year. Such expenses, how
ever, shall be paid by uhe several racing
associations. the shares to be apportioned
by the State Comptroller. The Commission
shall report annually to the Legislature
The licenses for race meetings shall be
granted by the commission. They snall
have power to revoke all licenses State,
county, and other fair associations en-
titled to conduct trotting races come I'M
der the provisions of this act. Notices and
placards, in large type, shall be posted
In conspicuous positions ON the grounds
TO the effect that ell disorderly conduct,
pool selling. book making or any other
kind of gambling is prohibited, together
with a copy of the penal code, section S51.
Gull power ON each race track to preserve
stsder and enforce the rules, and to pre-
vent all violations OF the law with rela-
tion to pool selling, etc, to make arrests
and bring offenders before Magistrates
When these provisions are complied with,
no trustee director or officer of the corpor-
ation shall be personally liable TO prose
cution for any violation of the law IN re-
A
cent of the gross receipts Of every cor
poration shall be paid annually to the
State. When corporations fail to report
to the State. the comptroller is authorized
to examine their books In order 10 fix
the amount of tax due. Penalty is pre-
sDecad f0g fe "a ax wha
made against gambling In any way,shape
or form by horse owners or other persons
Persons a - MAKING 5g oF holding bets are Re- m
Also owners betting shall forfeit tifeil
horses.
The leaders were apparently very much
1t killed at once. Their first proposition
was to have 1t sent to the committee al
cnce and have the committee immediately
report 1t adversely. But it was found thai
such a course could not be taken under
the rules. and 1T WAS decided to let the
matter take the usual course and be killed
by an adverse report Monday night
None OF those things appeared to worry
Mr.. Armbruster. He declared that he had
enough votes to pass the bill through
the House and he would show some peo-
pie that the sentiment in favor of racine
was stronger than they thought The
only serious phaseTof the matter to Mr.
Armbruster apparently Is the action of tht
committee which he knows will report the
bill adversely and speedily too. He will
make motion not to concur In the com
mittee's report and will endeavor to make
& fight upon the bill Monday night Mr
Derousse and he had long talk over 'tlt
subject In the afternoon. The leader at.
tempted to get Mr.. Armbruster to with.
draw the bill, but he refused and said hs
bill was introduced and the Clerk an.
nounced 1t under its number Mr.. Derousst
what number IS tnat?"
Three hundred and thirteen" reptile;
the Clerk
well, that's unlucky enough" re
marked Mr. Derousse.
"Oh, that don't worry me any, re
torted Mr.: Armbruster. Il belong to tn
Thirteen Club.
At first glance the bill appears to pro
careful per1sai will show that in realit,
negative permission. One section pro
yides that placards in big type shah b
posted in conspicuous places on the race
tracks, forbidding gambling, and specia
officers shall be appointed to enforce tn
law by arresting all Offenders and takin.
them before a magistrate for trial. Witt
these apparent safeguards, another pro
vision exempts the directors, trustees an
officers of all race track association
from personal liability to arrest an
M iz3l l'Ss .s6 RI 5s