New-York tribune., 1908-05-29
TALK OF O'NE[L SHIFT
Racing Agents Say He Would
Change Vote or Be Absent.
tBy Telegraph TO The Tribune. J

Albany. May 2-Much apprehension among the
advocates of Governor Hughess enti-racetrack
gambling bills caused to-day by the confident
assertion of agents OF the racing interest that II
vote ever reached that project at the
extra session Senator O'Neil, Of Franklin County.
either would change his vote be absent. Either
contingency counting Senator Foelker's pres
and vote in favor of the bills would kill them
again.
Senator O'NeiII is only one of three or four Sen
ators whom the gossip among the racing people
here singles out likely TO shift. White. of Onon
dags, who never has concealed his oposition to the
measures or the feet that he voted for them
merely for political reasons Smith. of Columbia,
and Cordts. of Ulster, others.
Racetrack Senators predict with much confidence
that Senator Foelker will be here at any time
in the week of June g. This is in direct contradic-
ton Of the information received by the Governor
that Foelker's condition is such permit his
turn TO duty by June or before. It is significant
In connection with the fact that the Assembly has
passed a resolution for adjournment sine die on
June II, and the declaration to-day by one prorni
nent Senator that the anti Hughes men had the
votes pledged to adjourn that day over the head
of Senator Raines anybody else who tried to
prevent it.
Senator O'Neil has been known as g consistent
Hughes man. who voted the anti gambling bills
before though he felt that the repeal the Percy
Gray law was AT the best experiment of doubt
full result. largely on the belief that Republican
Senate should sustain a Republican Governor in
any poilCy ne hdd at heart. q Nell close friend
Of President Roosevelt
During the first campaign vigorous efforts were
made by the racing interests get his Their
agents 1abored with him night and day and al one
time they announced that they had him landed.
What probably saved the day then was petition
from numerous constituents declaring that they
would work against him for reelection IL he voted
against the Governor. Among the names was that
or his own wife. For least two weeks back
racetrack interests have had agents going through
ONeils district working up sentiment against the
Governors measures He. like the other Senators
who voted for the bills, has been deluged with the
racetrack peoples letters
Several Senators who have received huge hatch.s
OF letters from alleged constituents whose names
they did not recognize, demanding that they vote
against the Governors bills, have determined 10
investigate the genuineness Of these messages In
many instances these letters do not give addresses
ana the whole thing is recognized as a clumsy
eHort OF the racing interests to simulate popular
demonstration against the racing bills Senator
rage declared to-day that he intended to have
every signature with address attached fnvest-
gated as there is a suspicion abroad that names
were used without their owners consent. Senator
AsneW. TOO, will have some investigating done
short time. had his attention called to these mat
ters and expressed much contempt and indigna-
ton at the employment of such methods.