New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-29
POLICY KINGS ELATED.
BILL TO DEFEAT THIS WORST FORM OF
GAMBLING PRACTICALLY KILLED
BY AMENDMENTS.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

ana their Repu olican allies IN the senate almost
accomplished to-day the utter defeat of the bill
to prevent policy gambling. Only three four
votes saved it from being sent back to the
Codes Committee with the order TO strike out
its enacting clause.
That the interests OF the policy were
powerfully defended in the Senate was first evil
denced last Friday. when Senator Grady,
backed by the Democratic contingent and
eral Republican refugees to the Tammany camp,
succeeded in amending the bill that its
trainers said it had been rendered worthless.
At that time the word knowingly was inserted
so that mere possession of policy slips would
not secure conviction, the original bill pro-
vided. The amending OF the measure in this
manner last Friday was apparently accom-
plished by startling statement from Senator
Grady the chief OF Tammany Hall In the Sen
ate. The Senator then said that the word
knowingly approved by Anthony Com
stock. who had come to him personally and
urged such amendment.
CoMsTOCK FAITHLEss
The fight to restore the bill 70 its original
shape and TO make the mere possession Of policy
slips sufficient TO convict was begun to-day by
Senator Elsberg Accordingly, the Senator
called the bill up, and moved 70 amend it by
striking out the word knowingly He took
this action he said because he thought that the
Senate had amended the bill by the insertion
Of this word last Friday upon a nisa pprehen-
sion. He thought that the Senate. therefore,
should have another opportunity to decide
whether or not 1t would pass a strong weak
measure. one TO secure convictions and kill the
evil of policy. to mould the statute
books. He then said that Mr.. Comstock had
not been true to his word. Continuing, the Sen
ator said:
Anthony Comstock agreed with the trainers
Of n iG ftn CT nd
originally. He promised that he would not sup
port any amendment He pledged himself
not 10 countenance the insertion of this word
knowingly which is being used by the
enemies of the bill to defeat il. AS proof Of
what 1 say, I would read the following letter
from Theron G. Strong. one of the trainers OF
the original bill
The Senator then read the letter, which ran
follows:
The bill which introduced IN the Senate
the which Captain Goddard and Mr..
Comstock agreed 10. Mr.. Comstock solemnIy
promised that he would support that bill We
conferred about the of the word knowing
! ly," and Mr.. CCmstock accepted the bill as it
was introduced
GRADY ACTIVE.
Senator Grady vigorously opposed the amend
nlent to strike out the word knowingly on the
ground that it had been offered by Mr.. Com
stock.
Anthony Comstock" continued the Senator,
policy. To show that this man fully approves of
the insertion of this word, want to read the
following letter. which he wrote to Senator Arm
strong. who introduced the bill in this house
This the letter:
I see by the newspapers that the bill which
was presented TO the Senate Committee on Codes
as a substitute to amend the Penal Code by
adding Section 344A has been reported favor
ably by the committee TO the Senate. with the
addition of the word knowingly
| 1GSir To hat has INV IN
Endorsement. I had put n in the original draft.
ard only at the earnest solicitation Of Theron
Strong and Captain Goddard it omitted.
My own judgment and conviction is that il
does not weaken the effect of the law, but
rather strengthens it. Certainly il adds to il
the protection which every law ought 10 throw
about the innocent citizen. No ought 10
be arrested for crime that he does not know
anything about, nor should he be arrested when
there is not sufficient evidence to show know-
edge on his part. where the laws "malum
prohibitum.' l had 10 yield several points to
these gentlemen which I first strenuously
eontended for, and one of them was the very
judgment, wisely attached 70 this bill
If the Legislature passes this bill. l am sure
that it is all that any intelligent man who
inal business could ask for. I wish you every
success in securing the enactment of the sub
stitute bill as amended Anything I can do, or
any fact 1 can send to you. I shall most gladly
place at your disposal
Senators Malby and DonneIly both supported
Senator Grady The latter ended his speech by
striking at reforms in general He said that
reformers always try to accomplish their am
billions by extraordinary punishment
E1sBERGs MOTION LOST.
The motion of Senator Elsberg was lost by a |
vote of Il ayes to % noes The Republicans
who voted with Tammany 70 defeat the amend |
ment were Senators Armstrong, Coggeshau |
G. A. Davis, Humphrey. Maby, Ranes Wilcox !
and Willis. Two Democrats who refused TO
support Senator Grady and voted in the aff1rma- |
tive were Senators Featherson and Wagner
Senator Brown then offered an amendment to !
make the possession OF policy slip presumptive |
proof OF guilt He said that this would sufi- |
GENTLY strengthen the bill render it effective
Senator Donnelly took a strong stand in favor |
of this amendment. Although he had voted in |
favor of the word knowingly he said, he had |
done It only because he thought it right. He |
said he was in favor of the most stringent meas
ures TO stop policy gambling. The amendment |
lost, however. by 2 vote Of "a ayes to % |
noes. A similar amendment was offered last |
Friday by Senator Brown and defeated Two |
Republicans who voted for it at that time voted |
against 1t to-day. They were Senators Raines !
and CoggeshaI. The other Republicans who |
voted along with Tammany in the negative were
Senators Wilcox. Willis, Malby and Armstrong |
The Democrats who voted in favor Of the |
amendment were Senators Featherson. Donnellv |
and Douglas.
Elated with his success in defying anv at |
ternpts TO strengthen the bill Senator Grady |
moved to weaken IL still more by leaving the |
punishment provided by the measure 70 the dis |
erection OF the Judge. The amendment was /
adopted by 26 ayes 10 20 noes Senator Grady
was assisted in this signal victory by the aid of |