New-York tribune., 1907-01-25
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
RURAL TASTE FOR TAINTED MONEY.
Correspondent Takes Exception to Imputa-
ton on Upstate Legislators.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: I read your editorial in Sundays Tribune
in which you indicate that there is objection TO
tainted money" by the rural legislators or their
constituents. and that the reason they oppose the
repeal of what is known the Peroy-Gray Racing
bill is because OF the 'rake-off they receive for
the benefit of the agricultural fairs think the
lmputation that their opposition is founded on any
such sordid consideration is unjust and implies
standard Of morality their part which they will
not complacently accept.
That there is objection to the revival Of puri-
tanical measures and restrictive laws 10 regulats
morals and private conduct there is doubt: that
II Is stronger in the rural communities than in the
metropolis is a surprising social phenomenon IN
dicating that they have more regard for personal
liberty and are not sanguine OF the potency OF
restrictive legislation when applied to moral or
personal conduct the city reformeFs. They real
lie that the sum OF human happiness has been
immensely curtailed and human society often mads
most intolerable. by the attempt Of portion OF
the people TO impose its moral notions upon the
rest. Inere IS instance where such attempt
has been beneficial. Failure is the invariable rule
Yet there forever those who willing to re-
new the experiment. Every moral regulation that
good OF the people. The attempt TO prevent men
from betting is Of the character. What rea-
same ''''''N ''''' =
Horseracing is a sport which is much enjoyed In
nearly all civilized countries Betting adds Hest 70
loss. What business does not? Its Influence on
society a whole has not been harmful. States
and progressive and I believe more so, as states
where Intolerance prevails and laws regulating
personal conduct enforced. That the majority
Of the people Of this favor the abolition OF
telligence who IS familiar with the tastes habits
ana inclinations of the people. This. and not the
miserable pittance that is given TO agricultural
fairs, is why legislators do not warm up TO the
When Morris Tekusky president cf the Liquor
Dealers Association, introduced his amendment
prohibiting poolselling and bookmakhg in the con.
vention OF 1894 he acting, it claimed at
the time, for the poOlroom mon. who sought re-
Vense on the racetraCk pToprietorS because they
were allowed privileges that they did not enjoy
themselves. The big of the convention, ike
Root Choate. Dean and mclaughlin, were decided
ganic law. 1t was, IN fact sneaked in among q lot
Of other amendments and embodied with a constt-
tutionRl provision that existed for a long time
Not one voter in a hundred knew he was voting
for any such provision. To show that It did not
reflect public sentiment, at the very next session
the Legislature passed the law complained Of and
there has been demand for its repeal except thai
which has originated with the poolroom men, VINO
claim they Disseminated against. In no part
of the state outside of the metropolis is there any
serious attempt 10 suppress poolselling or other
forms OF gambling unlesS II is known to be crook
ed and Il cannot be honestly said that the people
are greatly demOralized by this freedom, The
same section Of the constitution which prohibits
poolseilInE and bookmaking prohibits other forms
Code that f9rbds these forbids betting on elections
and political contests, but Is ignored without COM
plant by the general public
That because legislators do not fall in with every
clamor OF a few unbelieying preachers and protes.
sional reformeYs insist It IS unfair TO assert that
they are controlled by purely mercenary considera-
tons; that instead OF being condemned for resist
ing ntolerant restraint The personal freedom OF
the people. they deserve commend rsSnsr & t1an
Oneida N Y, JAN q 1907