The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-02-21
Race Tracks Barred.
A Strong Protest From the People
of Cecil County Against
the Race Track Bill.

In response to call for mass
meeting of the citizens of Cecil
county, to protest against the pas
sage of the bill to confer certain
powers upon the Elkton Improve
ment Company, large and enthu
siastic gathering assembled in the
Opera House in Elkton last Tues
day, every district in the county
being represented.
Rev. John McElmoyle called the
meeting to order and in his opening
remarks said it was his painful
duty to address a meeting called
for the same purpose as one called
in 1S97-that of protesting against
race track gambling. Mr.. Neil
moyle spoke at some length and
in concluding placed in nomination
the name of George A. Blake as
chairman of the meeting.
Mr.. Blake being the unanimous
choice of the meeting, responded
with an eloquent address and de-
nounced in forcible terms the pro-
posed bill. He said if the bill
passed the company would have
the right not only to conduct "trials
of speed" but to indulge in the
selling of pools, opening a lottery,
the sale. of liquor, prize fighting,
and any form of gambling and de-
bauchery desired; and further that
they would have this right 365
days in the year, nights and Sun
days included.
Victor NJ. Torbert was elected
secretary and Rev. H. A. G. Yves
terrified assistant secretary.
Rev. r. X. Stephenson then read
a lengthy list of vice presidents.
The secretary read a letter from
George Balderston, expressing his
regret at not being able to be pres
ent and commencing the purposes
for which the meeting was called.
A committee on resolutions was
named, with representatives from
each district. The committee,
through its chairman, Rev. John
McElmoyle, reported the following
resolutions:
Waereas: Bill has been Introduced into the
Legislature OF the State of Maryland, entitled an
Act to amend the Charter of the Elkton Improve
ment Company of Cecil County, corporation
which owns the grounds of the late Cecil County
Agricultural Society at Elkton, changing its name
enlarging its powers and comforting certain prvi-
leges throughout. And
Whereas: scrutiny or the provisions contained
in said bill makes it evident that if enacted into
law it will give unlimited license to said Improve
ment Company, its successors or assigns, either
upon the grounds now owned by said Company
or upon any grounds or premises it may hereafter
acquire in this county or in any part of the state
to carry on the ubiquitous business of horseracng
every day in the year-to sell pools upon the re-
suits OF said races, to sell whskey and iGtoxicat
ing drinks of any kind upon the premises without
license, to barter and sell al kinds of goods
wares or merchandise exempt from license to
exhibit any game or gambling device or give any
immoral exhibition, including prize fighting and
to desecrate the Sabbath, free from all moral re-
| stsaint and exempt from the cognizance, opera
ton and penalties all eysting laws Of the state
general or local. And
Whereas: 1t is further evident that the effect of
this bill enacted into law will be the re-establish
ment in our midst, in the interest of private indi.
viduals, of outlaw racing with all Its attendant
evils and the creation in our community of an
| oligarchy of gamblers, free and immune from the
penalties of the Act of 1898, Chapter 49, as from all
the Public General and Local Laws imposing
penalties therefOf. And
Whereas Those extraordinary ana extremely
demoralizing privileges asked for in said bill are
solely intended to advance the pecuniary interests
| OF the projectors of this infamous scheme at the
e&pepse OF the good morals of the people, in the
judgement able lawyers, but will be permanent
and irrevocable. Therefore, be it
Resolved: That we the citizens of Cecil county
now assembled in mass meeting for the purpose
of considering said bill. do hereby earnestly pro-
test against the passage of this iniqutops measure
and appeal to the Legislature now in session and
especially to our Senator and the other members
of the House of Delegates from this county, in the
name of peace and good order of orr country
which is thus attempted to be Gloucesterized. to
ment of this extremely dangerous measure or of
any similar measure that has been or may be in.
troduced under whatever guise-aud We demand
that they shall secure the exemption of Cecil from
the provisions OF any BILL local or general, that
would invalidate, abrogate or repeal our anti
gambling law-Act of 1898, Chapter l3-which
this bill seeks to repeal And be II
RESOLVED That the following named gentlemen
Il. NJ. Haines, A. l.. Crothers, W. 7. Warburton,
w, S Evans, Alfred Wetherll, W. H. Mackall.
Rev. R. x. Stephenson, Rev. J. McEImoyle. +. P.
Price, W. D. Rratton. DIR. j. H. lamar, H. II.
Brady. Rev Mr., Poole, R. 4 Dnhamel, ], Mccoy,
A. &. McVey, j. T Dewitt. Robert Maekey, G. o.
Carey Rev. Mr.. Wise, Rev. d. Il. Shaw, W. T.
Fryer. A L. Duyckinck, Rev. A. S. Mowbray,
Rev. W. W. Shaw, Wilson L. Coudon, Mr. Nesbitt.
pr. Roman, j. NJ. c. Carhart, etc citizens of
CECIL county, are hereby appointed to look after
said lneasnFe-aHd II necessary either a body or
through u special p0mmittee of their number to
go to Annapolis to oppose this or any other meas
ure that may seem to imperil the peace and good
order of our county. And be it
Resotred: That a reprt sentative committee of
which the chairman of the committee shall be
appointed by The cRairmen of this meeting to CO.
operate with slmiiaF eempittees lip other counties
of the State In arousing and consolidating public
opinion towards securing at the earliest possible
moment an amendment to the Constitution of
Maryland that shall permanently relieve our
people from the periodical agitation of this ques.
ton and from The eyer threatening danger of an
invasion from the outlaw faos track and other
gamblers that have been driven from sister states
All OF which is respectfully submitted.
RV Sfan6inU VOta tho pocOlu