New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-20
BETTING WAR GOES ON
LITTLE HOPE FOR BILL.
The Governor Misrepresented m
altitude on Measure.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune.l

Albany March 1s-Fearfng that the Cassidy
Lansing anti-racetrsck betting bill may be
beaten before Il reaches the Governors hands
the advocates Of that measure have begun
fight ia and out Of the Legislature almost fran
tic in its energy. CIergymen of nearly every
denomination IN Albany met to-day and passed
resolutions outlining a campaign for the passage
OF the bin Each one agreed 10 write TO the
Governor urging him 10 help the measure
through the Legislature by a special message.
The Rev A. s Gregg. field secretary Of the
international Reform Bureau, who is the chief
champion Of the bill. tried 10 put the Governor
on record as an advocate Of the bill by announc-
ing that II the Executive had been seen IN time
he would have urged the passage Of such bill
IN his annual message.
I, may be said author.tatively that the Gov
ernor. while he approves the ethical effect sought
by the bill does not care to have it said that he
tavors the passage Of the measure itself. The
Governor Is out II town. but one Of his advisers
said this afternoon that he had more interest
in this BIN than I'm any other. He said further:
He hasn't considered is as yet, and woesnt pur-
pose 20 until il gets 20 him after going through
the Legislature"
This statement came a shock 10 the cham
piOns n the bill. who had been resting on the
inference conveyed ia the Governors remark
three weeks ago that he could not see any
or without a racetrack fence
Tremendous upstate influences have been
brought 10 bear against the passage OF the bill.
Legislators have been told that II racetrack
betting is prohibited the county fair VIII become
Z moribund institution within year and that
the farmers won't forget either the Legislature
or the Governor who deprived them Of their
annual holiday. The county fair advocates de-
clare that II pool selling upon the fair grounds
is STOPPED the trottng race as an institution is
bound 10 die at once. and with # the success
Of the fairs.
Such an appeal from such source is moving
and its effect is more clearly seen in the Legis-
lature every day. Indeed, it IS doubtful II the
Cassidy-Lansing bill could be passed in the
Assembly If IL were proposed on the floor this
week
Assemblymsn Percy Hooker doubtless ex-
pressed the sentiment Of the lower House in an
interview to-day when he said
! shall not vote for the Cassidy-Iansing bin
because don't believe the public generally
wants IL passed II IS drawn in such a way that
Il VIII operate wholly IN the interests of the
poolrooms. which in itself IS a sufficient reason
for killing it, 7 think the people look on race
as evils which cans he stopped so should be
regulated a. much as possible and tolerated
because some real demand Is behind them.
Those opposed 10 the measure point to a reso-
luton adopted recent meeting Of the Road
Drivers Association Of Buffalo showing how
those who have no interest IN thoroughbred rae
ing look on the BILL The resolution follows.
Whereas A bin has been introduced IN me leefs-
larure 10 so amend the so-caIled Percy-Gray law
70 make Il a felony 20 bet h0rseraciug within
the limits ~ a raCetrack.
Resolved. That the Buffalo Road Drivers Associa-
ton. an Organization OF upward Of three hundred
and fifty members, interested 81 driving and devel-
uplUE the froitinE horse, does hereby protest most
earnestly against the passage OF such an amend
Tueur on the ground that far as trottiuz races
are concerned. it would subserve no public good
ana "a an uncaed-for and unwarranted interference
with the honest and legitimate business Of breeding
and developing the trojting horse In which r7ffo1s
a dollars invested
Resolved. That 81 Is the earnest desire 80 ,rfs
association that the Senators and Members OF AS
defeat the passage Of such BIZ