New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-19
THoRoUGHBRED RACING.

Racing folk are breathing easier. The oppo-
Edtion 20 the Csssidy-LaTsing bill at Albany on
Wednesday, which would amend the present rae
ing law. was Of a kind 10 make its passage even
~ 10 should be reported, extremely doubtful
The opposition aid not come only from those
interested IN the sport or who might be con-
si6sred benehca-ies indirectly, but from men
who have made a close study OF betting from
q sociological standpoint and have no interest
IN racing either as a business or a sport II
wEs brought out that the instinct to gamble is
born IN ell normal persons and that from a
geological standpoint It could not be sup
pressed. and should therefore be safeguarded
ana restrained Il was pointed out that the
present law had been upheld by the courts as
g compliance with both the spirit and the letter
% Che constitution, and many citations were
made 20 show that Il was not unusual that acts
IN one place or under one set OF conditions
should be treated differently from the same act
done n another place OF under different con-
6ftioEs. II was argued that, a rule, statutes
have not attempted the suppression Of specu-
istion OF betting but have been directed against
specially Objectionable and cOrTupting forms,
against places where II is conducted as a bust
ness and constitutes the only business, against
Ehs parapheTnaIia with which such speculation
OF betting Is conducted; that legislation q not
Rtned against places where betting is an incl
dent OF something else quite legitimate. Along
this line 81 was said:
The racing law attempts 10 regulate and not
20 suppress betting upon horse races. It
p,icitly makes all such waEers unlawful, that
no contract rights can arise upon them Il seeks
20 limit bets to transactions between individuals.
and makes any transfer Of a memorandum or
token OF the bet offence punishable with
Imprisonment II recognizes distinction be-
tween a bet made at q place Of recreation re-
moved from homes and business places, made
under the surveillance Of the police authorities
as q mere incident 10 attendance at d place Of
scure room, amid vile, communicating and
criminal associations close at hand to the place
OF business Of clerks and persons Of small
property. The one form of betting the Legisla-
ture has treated as a minor evil; the other
having been found 10 be perniclOus in its re-
suits, has been dealt with by a severe penalty
In answering the objection 10 existing racing
legislation that If It is unlawful 10 do a thing
on one side Of the fence Il IS unlawful to do il
on the other side Of the fence. Il was said.
On one side Of the fence. and representing
large interests tn an industry employing many
worthy persons, there is the incorporated racing
association. controlled Ev rules Of the Jockey
Club. and conducting ifs operations under the
supervision 0t state officers. on the other side
Of the fence is Only the corTuptiuE pooroorn and
gambling house.
The hin may he reported and It may DO passed
and then signed by the Governor. who has ev-
pressed himself iu favor Of the measure b17t
those who are quick 10 see the way the wind is
blowing in legislative matters express The
opinion that ir VIII meet the fate Of other az
temIts 20 XIII racing fl this state.