The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-27
CAMPAIGN ENDED
LAST APPEALS TO JERSEYArEN TO
TOTE AGAINST GAMBLING.

sermons Preached All over the state Ye,ter-
day In Favor or tho Antt.Face.Tra
Amendment to tho Observation-Disclosures
Predict That II Probably viii Ne Defeated.
TRENTON. y. j.. Sept. 26.-Tho short campaign
made by tho churches In favor of the anti.race-
track amendment to the Constitution onded to-
night, when tho pastors OF many of them
preached against gambling and advised tho
male members of their congregations to vote
for tho amendment next Tuesday. The Law
and Order people express great confidence that
all three OF the amendments will be ratified by
tho popular vote, but experienced politicians
who have sounded the sentiment believe that
the racc.track amendment will DO defeated by n
large majority and that the ad interim appoint.
mcnt and woman suffrage amendments will 60
down with them.
The Republican County Committees in several
OF the counties have followed the recommended
ton OF tho Republican State Committee and
advised the voters to support the amendments,
but they are doing nothing to got out the Repub-
lican vote on Tuesday. and many Of tho party
leaders arc privately working against the race
track amendment, Notwithstanding It Is tho
product OF Republican legislation and that the
state Convention platform two years ago de-
clarcd in lite favor.
The Hudson County Democratic Committee
has declared against tho amendment, and will
work for its defeat. In the other counties no
action has been taken. and the voters arc to DO
left TO their pessonal preference.
Last week thsrn were rumors that q largo
purse had been made up to be used in defeating
the race.tracE amendment, but this was de-
MED by persons who were supposed to know
about the plans of the opposition. Monmouth,
Essex. Union, Passaic. Hudson. Burlington. and
Mercer counties, it is predicted, will give large
maiorities against. The vote is not likely to OK.
coed 10O.o 900. although there were over 81, 100
votes cast at the Presidential election last year.
With a light vote. and an adverse majority in
the largo counties named. there 10 little chance
for the smaller counties to'overcome 1t.
The argument OF the opposition is that II the
amendment is defeated o satisfactory law,
like that in New York, can be passed that will
permit racing under proper restrictions, and
allow the reopening of the big tracks at Mon.
mouth Park. Linden. and Elizabeth. while pro
hibiting the excuses that were practiced at
Guttcnburg. Clifton. and Gloucester that led to
the crusade against racing.
The official vote cast on Tuesday will be can
vassed at the Capitol on Tuesday, Oct. 10. As
the Election Boards must register voters for the
November election from / until 0 o'clock on
Tuesday, the result Of the vote on the amend
ments may not be known until Wednesday,
especially II 1t is close; but 1t Is expected to hear
from fSs, N, the i sTf ;rd counties les. on Tuesday night, and
E1IzABETn y. j.. Sept. 2e.-Two mass meet
inEs were held here tonight to express tho sen.
the amendments to the Constitution prohibiting
race track gambling. All but two Of the churches
on the platforms Of the First Pres6ytsrian and
FULTON street Methodist churches, where the
% peesiasa in T .se f ssla; The chSr ae1 nh &i H the eG Rs1.
Dr.. Thomas anlon of Pennington and Judge j.
Franklin Fort Of Newark made addresses. At
ADDRESSES being delivered p' By tho IHi HON. ptI Frant:
Bergen and DIR. Hanlon.
with the resolution Of the Pastors Union. ser.
mons were delivered in six churches tonight
urging SrrEiIng voters to see to II at the special election
to the State c9nsti.1tien K carried: .
tutional amendments in his sermon to-day, and
urged especially the adoption of the anti
MATAWAN. n. j.. Sept. 2s.1The anti.sambiine
amendment was the text for the ministers OF
the different churches here to-day. The Rev.
J. Hoffman .Batten, pastor of tho Methodist
Episcopal Church. was especially earnest. He
rehearsed the history OF horse racing, which. he
went on to call attention TO the immense amount
OF money that was invested in the several race
Of Monmouth county were OF the opinion that
with the reopening, OF Monmouth Park would
e sS@s IL E tsst wsr o. so eq Il WeSId IN be tn as c thu c |; put 1T
the honor Of those who patronized the track.
II have heard. he said in conclusion. that
against the amendment II this 10 true, I invite
them to call at the parsonage at once and sign
their designations as members Of the church"
The ministers of Jersey City made q final ap-
peal TO the voters to sustain the anti-gambling
pastor Of the Jersey City tabernacle. had what
he termed "a last shot at the gamblers" in .
1t is now generally understood that the OBJ
jet of this amendment is not to put a stop to
horse racing. No sensible person objects 70 that.
preferable to a slow one. Racing is not a sin.
but gambling at race tracks is a curse both to
had enough Of it in New jersey. and we are SO
we'll satisfied with the present a~nti:gambline
tuition OF the State. where it will be beyond the
tinkering of venal Legislatures, which not In
frequently insult and defy tho people who
at is well known that tho average Legisla.
ture can be bought as easily as men buy tnrnips
or potatoes. The State House is virtually q
market where statutes are on sale. Without
such an amendment as the ono we are now CON
tending for. the ready cash of the gambling
purchase the privileges they desire and again
inapgurate the disgraceful practices of Gut,
There is in this country a growing distrust
OF representative g~oyernment. and Il is emf,
selves and the welfare Of the State. The com.
people themselves will create legislation with
out the intervention Of untr'ed representatives
We shall make the law ourselves and not vote
that others shall make laws for us. This 10 pure
democracy, and ! believe in 1t. And ! hope the
day will come when this principle will apply to
all important legislation. and. not alone to
amendments to the Constitution"
Gambling was tho principal topic Of the Ho
boken c!ergymen. Tho Rev: Henry 7. Beatty,
summed up his Characterization OF the gam
bier by saying:
ale gradually loses his finer sensibilities. and
too often ends a drunken wreck or o successful