New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-21
JEROME BILLS HEARING.
LITTLE CH4NCE OF LIFE.
CifrgymcR FGr0T McasurcS-Fdrm-
crs AID Racing Ncn Oppose Them.
ny rs,.rroph 70 Tie Tribune

fBv rs,aErnl,l 20 Tie Tribune
Albany. March 2o-Clergymen from al over
the state called or the codes Committee Of the
senate and Assembly to-day TO report the Je-
rome bills introduced by Senator Agnew and
tho late Asscnblxman Stanley, to prohibit race
.rsc's betting Protesting against the practice
which they said. was undermining the moral
character II countless numbers, they were met
hv tho opposition Of the agricultural societies,
which nov receive > per cent Of the receipts
from racejrsc hs. and tho legal representatives
az racing associations. who charged the evils to
poolroons instead Of the betting a racetracks.
The bills have small chance for favorable
consideration by tho committee. Arguments to
70, well enough alone" which all through
the opposition 10 tho bills to-day. appeal TO
many legislators. and advocacy OF tho bills by
:he preachers and o.2urch organizations is. 10
LARGE extent, discounted with upstate members
by the open opposition Of the farmers. while II
docs not seem to appeal much to man. city
members.
Advocates u The Jerome bills spoke first. re-
versal Of tho usual custom being requested by
the opponents Senator AgIew road District
Attorney Jerome's letter. saving that convic-
tions Tor a misdemeanor could be obtained where
convictions for felony. imposing heavy prison
sentence. under the existing law were difficult.
The Rev Or F. F. Sanford. secretary Of tina
college president in me state was FOR the meas
ure and read letters from Chancellor Day II
Syracuse and President Raymond Of Union.
DR. Walter I-aiGlav.. secretary Of the New York
city Federation Of Churches. presentel me-
MORALS from the New York Board Of Jewish
Ministers. signed by the Rev. Or. Joseph Sill
VerInan. Of Temple kmanu-Iii- as sec:eta' :. and
g petition signed by catholics The Rev. Peter
Farrell. Of -. Joseph's Church. represented
Archbishop Farley
Or I1idlan said thar all the District Attor-
news in New York City favored this measure,
thinking IL better 30 obtain many convictions
for msdemeanOr. when the principals might be
held. tilan TO convict one poor Clerk or felony
Special Sessions Judges could be held respon-
sible 10 punish the principals, he went on
District Attorney Jerame's interest Is TO abol-
fish vicious class legislation. he declared
Danger to society lies now rather in the ar
ar-hv Of high society than in the anarchy ~
lhe poor. IL NoE permit The ri'E man to enjoy
his little pleasures Nhici. are denied the poo
men. sou are encouraging one Of the dangers
Canon chase. Of Brooklyn termed the race
tracks colleges OF gambling iegalized 10y legs
lation." Y here the youths Of the land were cor
rupted. Nr. Wright. Of the City Cluf. argued
that 1he inisce'neanor feature -Wouio perm
more convictions ~ gamblers and poolroom
men. Bishop Coadjutor Nelson. of Albany
whose work Eos largely in the farming districts,
declared that ne could rot see how II helped
the agricultural interests to make the county
fairs gambling schools and put the farmers
societies in league Syith the gamblers
al racetracks and clerks who defaulted and
committed suicide because OF money lost at the
tracks. the Rev. a. 8. Gregg said this was not
a Of strict law.
Our case viii not be won by logic he de-
ciared III YOU decide TO report the bills YOU
viii do SO because Of moral convictions The
issue is squarely one Of public morals versus
property, The real object or attack in these
bills Is the boOkmaker. The destruction of tho
system Of gambling is what we want"
For the farmers J. II. Durkee. president Of the
County Agricultural Associations, said that
uniIl The bill appropTiatinG S2loGO for the So
Ciet5eS vas PASSED the farmers would oppose the
Jerome bills. He said the advocates Of the
help on tho appropriation bin.
II YOU got thai VIII you favor these bills"
asked Senator Cassidy
we viii crop out Of the game" answered Mr.
Durkee
But would you sell your opposition for
S2loft02' persisted Mr.. Cassidy.
heated dispute ensued. in which the farmer
maintained that the societies would oppose these
bills until they got their appropriation
Joseph s. AueThach. representing racing as
sociations, maintained that the present law was
constitutional. He cited many decisions by
justices that point. and read from the report
Elihu Root and subsequent arguments i'm court
70 sustain his view.
I am prepared 10 admit that with poolroonls
people lose more than money. they lose char
acter.' said he But with the Wiping out OF
pooirOorns after this plan you would wipe out
IN Industry worth millions YOu Will be justi-
Ted ia GOOD conscience and good law, if YOU keep
lhese hills in youI committee. You viii not be
gustiied i You Jet them out