The Washington herald., 1907-10-15
VAR AGAINST RACING
Closing Of Churchill Downs
Victory for Movement.
SHERIFF GIVES HIS REASONS
says that Betting Is Against the
Law, and Under No Condition VIII
Ky.-Meeting Scheduled to Open To-
morrow Has Been Called on.

The movement against horse racing and
its attendant evils has won another dis
tinet victory in the closing of the famous
Churchill Downs
When several Western tracks were
raided, the promoters of the Louisville
Jockey Club gloated over the claim that
their course was immune, and that even
when the sport was suppressed in other
sections Of the country. the meetings at
Churchill Downs would be continued
without interference
The Louisville Jockey Club is one OF
the oldest organizations of the sort. the
present year being its thirty-fourth, but
this will be its last season, for the meet
ing scheduled to open tomorrow has
been called off for fear of the threat
made by the sheriff of Jefferson County
that he would raid the ring if any bet
ting should be attempted
Letter from Sheriff.
The following letter from Sheriff Bull
lit to c. F. Granger. president OF the
club, explains the stand which the au-
thorlties have taken:
The New Louisville Jockey Clab, Charles F. Grain
ger, President, Louisville, KY:
Geutlemen-It is my understanding that at the
fan face meeting, beginning Wednesday. October 10.
1907. and lasting several weeks the practice Of bet
ting and taking bets with the public upon horse
viii be exercised by various persons commonly
known as "bookmakeTs and that said betting win
be conducted upon the premises of the Louis
vile Jockey Club. iust outside the city limits
der a supposed concession or license issued by said
club.
This s,-s-or, q t,s4ting at the trsck ~ ..hool-
making" as il Is called is clearly Illegal and.
der the Law II IS upon exactly the same footing
what Is commonly known as pool room. The
only difference in this county is that the book
making al the track would be Just south q =
street while the late pool just north Of
street 'the method Of operation being practically
the ia both.
It Is nay opinion that both ''bookmaking' and
pcoi rooms are in violation Of the laws Of this
State. and that the -bo0kmAker' and the pool
seller" and persons with whom they bet ass al
equally guilty Of misdemeanor and liable 90 = fine
Of $50 to 500 for each ofsnse. Ky Statutes. Sec
1871
In the case Of Cheek vs Commonwealth. 100 Ky
Reports. page the Court q Appeals expressly held
that bet a horse race" is an ofense against
the laws of Kentucky, nd that any one who per
mits persons % habituaiy frequent a place under
his control 20 there in betting horse
is guilty q keeping what is termed in law dis
orderly house According 20 recent decision Of
the Court Of Appeals. Il makes no difference how
orderly IN other respects peaceaby inclined said
persons may De-
Il Is therefore. my duty peace officer q this
county 20 70 be promptly arrested all persons
engaged Ia violating the law IN the manner above
specified, and far possible 70 preTent any con
tinued violation thereof
That duty viii be performed unless an enjoincd
by the court otherwise iudicially instructed to
the contrary.
7 understand tha the new Louisville Jockey Club
claims sort Of exemption from the operation Of
the general laws forh;dding betting horse races,
and claims that sid exemption also extends 70 such
persons as its officers may permit % establish
bookuaking' or betting stands upon its premises:
IN other words, that It has special immunity fFem
the operation Of penal statute which is not en-
lOyed by other persons corporations.
If you are legally entitled 10 any such exemption
it seems proper that you should have ample oppor-
tuHity 70 establish the fact J. Therefore give you
this formal notice of my purpose To enforce the law
IN olIer that YOU may If you see ht bring the
matter 20 judicial test before the opening day of
tie races Yours truly. 4. SCOTT BULLITT.
sheriff