The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-09-21

ONE week from to-day the people of
New Jersey will be called upon to vote on
the proposed amendments to the State
constitution The one that seems to be
attracting the greatest attention is that
which is aimed at gambling in general
race track gambling in particular. There
is nothing partisan in these amendments;
the question is purely one of morality.
The remembrance of the days of G1ouces-
ter and Gnttenburg is still fresh, and the
people have not forgotten how they were
compelled to arise and assert their rights
In behalf of upright government. The
same forces that took part at that time are
at work now-the race-track people on
the one hand, the moral people on the
other. While there are many who be-
1ieve this question should be left to the
Legislature to settle, the majority hold to
the opinion that it will be safer to have
the constitution SO amended as to make ii
impossible for Legislators to act.
The State Citizens League, through its
president, Rev. DIR. Kempshal1, has sent
out the following circular to the press:
'The submission of the amendment is
the outcome of a determined purpose and
prolonged effort on the part of thousands
of good citizens of New Jersey to rid the
State forever of the evils of gambling up
on racetracks, which have so disgraced il
in the past.
If this amendment receives, at the ap-
preaching election, majority of the votes
cast, this purpose will be most. effectually
accomplished fit is defeated, not only
will all thus far gained be lost, but the
reactionary effect of such defeat will sure
ly bring upon our state all the evils of the
past in multiplied form and increased
magnitude. The possibility of such de-
feat exists not in the fact that a majority
of the voters of New Jersey are in favor OF
restoring racetrack gambling, but in the
apathy and over-confidence of the friends
of the amendment 1t is, therefore, ofthe
utmost importance that every friend Of
this amendment who has a vote to cast
should realize his personal responsibility
IN this matter, so that he shall be spared
in case of its defeat vain regret for hav
ing neglected to do his duty.
Rest assured, you who are in sympathy
with this effort to secure great and per
manent reform, that the owners of the
racetracks and the gamblers - being
brought now to the last ditch in the lone
battle-will not surrender without a severe
although it may be hidden-effort to
compass the defeat of this amendment
They have the incentive of selfinterest
the control of large funds, and, to a Ger
tain extent, political influence.
THE State Citizens League makes,
therefore, this its final appeal to the citi.
zens OF New Jersey-men and women-tc
arouse anew their former interest in thi,
great reform; to give heart and hand and
voice to the work of getting out strong
vote, and over and above all do we earn
estly entreat every qualified voter who
believes that racetrack gambling is essen
tally, and has proven itself to be, a curse
to our fair Commonwealth, not to fail tc
cast his ballot for the above amendment
on the twenty-eighth day of this month
We are confident that if this shall be done
great and glorious victory awaits oui
cause"