The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-27
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY q. 1900.
ppcE1y,NG THE LEGISLATURE.

The attempt to slip through the Legis-
lature bills ito authorize certain so-called
fair associations TO permit gambling on
their premises is not to be laughed away
rs a venial trick. II is a most serious
matter, and deserves the most serious
consideration. There was an audacity
about the whole thing that is almost ap-
palling There is a law in this State
against -.bool1-makinE and pool sell
ing and ii was enacted in response 10 a
demand of the great mass of the Virginia
people, yet studied attempts were made
by parliamentary leserdenain TO get
bills through the Legislature which would
set that law at defiance.
There are two OF these bills, as we
stated In Sundays paper-one introduced
in the House and the other in the Senate
They are innocent enough in the title,
and pretend to be merely local 1nea-
sures'' to conduct agricultural fairs. The
plain language that the association shall
have the privilege of racing horses and
making books on the result But
Senator Gold. who introduced the bill,
by request, did not dream that it con-
tained any such provision. He was de-
ceived into making a statement before
the Senate that the bill was entirely
harmless, and upon his representation
the Senate took it up and passed 1t under
suspension of the rules, without refe-
renee to any committee
The House bill, however, is SO adroitly
worded that it passed muster without
being challenged by any member This
bill makes no mention of ''book-mal1ins"
or '.pool-selling," but attempts to ac-
compIish Its purpose by cunning. 1t con-
tains a clause providing that the anti
gambling laws of the State shall not
apply 10 this particular corporation, but
these laws are designated, not by name,
but by citing chapters. In order to dis
cover the real purport of the bill 1t is
necessary to refer 10 the chapters of The
Acts of 1867 cited, and it seems that
no pfcmber of the House took the trouble
TO do this. The bill appeared to be harm
less, and 1t passed the House under a
suspension OF the rules. without taking
the usual course. The patron, Mr.. Hume,
assures us that he had no idea that the
bill contained a clause that permitted
pool-seliing.
We say that it is serious matter for
any man or set OF men thus 10 tribe with
the people of Virginia. It is serious
matter for any man or set of men TO
attempt. by indirection, by ingenuity, or
by any other device, TO sneak through
in open defiance of public morals, of pub
1ic sentiment, and OF the written law OF
She Commonwealth. The ethics of gam
bling and horse racing is not under con-
sidera,ion. There is no question before
the Legislature as TO whether or moi
book-inaking and pool-sellirg shall be
permitted That question was disposed
OF several years ago. and there is nc
doubt that the law which was then en-
acted is sustained by public sentiment
If the mon who want 10 race horses and
bet on the result had come before The
Legislature with a bold proposition to re-
peal the anti-gambling laws they would
have been clearly within their rights. for
no one Is denied the right OF petition
Btu these men knew that Il they shoulc
make an open fight they would be inslo.
riously defeated. And SO they attempted
10 get by indirect;on and cunning wha'
they knew they could not get in the open
So far as these particular measure:
are concerned they have already beer
virtually killed. AS soon as they swer,
discovered they were undone. and the,
do not need to be attacked. But the in
ciaent should not be permitted to pass
without imprcssing upon the law-rnaker:
of the land the danger of hastS and Ill
considered legislation and the need o
watchfnlness. 1t is infamous for a MAJ
10 attempt To deceive the law-makint
body of the state. and by such deceit t
secure harmful legislation for his owl
profit Eut there is no law against snci
attempts. and the only protection that thi
State has is tie fidelity and vigilance O
+ her representatives. No member Of tn