New-York tribune., 1908-03-06
GOVERNOR HUGHES
ANSWERS MIR. BLACK.
QUOTES HIS PLE.f FOR
CONSTITUTION.
Calls Percy-Gray Las Brace
Game IFS Easy to Stop Race
Gambling as Lotteries. He Sans.

gdmDHng nearing IN Albany on " NetineStSy At
the dinner of the North Side Beard OF Trade.
held in Ebling's Casino in The Bronx last night
The Governor referred to the Percy-Ciray law
brace game on the people of the state.
and said gambling on hOrseracing could be
stopped just the same as had been lottery
gambling. and heatily cheered-
He recalled are recent speech by Mr- Black.
in which the former Governor had protested
against anything that tended to confuse public
Judgment with regard 10 the saCredness and
supremacy of our constitution and had pro-
tested against the violation OF law by those
chosen and to administer il. and then
quoted the provision OF the constitution OF the
state in regard to gambling
Governor Hughes pointed to the plain and
unambguous language of the constitution
q why there can be only one issue tn
this trial"
GOVERNOR HUGHES'S SPEECH.
The Governor said:
We are having an interesting time at Albany
just now There are questions before the Legls-
lature vitality affecting the welfare of the people.
questions which test the consciences of legls-
lators and the sincerity OF their promises 10
uphold the constitution of the state
They are trying most important case IN the
Legislature. 1t is the case Of the People Of the
State of New York against bookmakers and
booksellers and those who are seeking to arnass
wealth by defying the fundamental law under
cover of a statute which resembles the tricks
of the gambling profession To use Of their
own phrases. the Percy-Ciray law is nothing but
brace game" on the people Of the state
There be only one issue 10 this trial IL
is one Of those cases which permit OF no
debate and where You can point TO the PLAIN
and unarn biguous language OF the constitution
1t Is simply question whether the people ana
their constitution are supreme In this state. or
whether We are ruled by gamblers and those
decided in only one way And IN my judgment
no political party or political leader can aH95a
N yaI,o he cid ~ gamblers against
people.
We all know the evils incident TO rscetrack
gambling They have been testified 10 by asso-
Citations OF business men. by labor men. by the
clergy. by teachers. by broken hearted parents.
by betrayed employers. and by men IN every
walk OF life and in every occupation
THE FARMERS UNDERSTAND
Do not mistake the attitude of the farmers
upon this subject. They understand There
isn't farmer whose boy leaves his home Z"
try TO make his way in our great cities WHO ~
not anxious that he shall not be engulfed IN
this vortex OF temptation practically created oy
Ubiquitous laws
and order may be upheld and that among our
people there may be genuine devotion 70 our
Institutions and sincere desire for the main
tenance of just authority Would any cnurCn-
man. breathing that prayer. dare 70 give hts
counsel and support TO open denance OF or ne Ne
constitution of the state, a defiance which, IN
its cynical disregard OF the expressed VIII or
the people. breeds contempt for our laws
II any man says and honestly believes that
he prefers some other way then let him devote
himself TO securing an amendment OF the con.
stitutiOn, and not TO encouraging dlsTeeard OF
its explicit provisions.
Not long ago a distinguished citizen Of this
state. who mas held It's highest office and -
tested with vigorous invective against Whatever
might tend 10 confuse the public Judgment with
regard 10 the sacredness and supremacy OF our
constitution.
Said he: 'If the laws are violated by those
chosen and sworn to administer them, can the
result fail to be increasing disregard for all
Iay in general DIIhllC TDi1d1 And again hA
said: Am / wrong when | say that the con-
stitution seems less regarded q guide and
Where is the end and what viii IL be-
Now I should like TO be referred to any
palmer constitutional provision IN the federal
constitution or in any state constitution than
Nor shall any lottery. OF the sale Of lottery
tickets poolsellfng. boOknaking. any other
kind of gambling hereafter be authorized o.
allowed within this state: and the Legislature
shall pass appropriate Laws 10 prevent onenceS
against any of the provisions OF this section
DUTIES or THE LEGISLATORS.
And with respect to this matter. should Ike
to see anything more explicit with regard 10
the duties of the Legislators than their oath OF
II do soIenlnIy swear cor affirm) that will
support the Constitution Of the United States
and the constitution of the State OF New York,
and that 1 will faithfully discharge the duties OF
the office of ---, according to the best OF my
ability
does not know that the Legislature has failed To
pass appropriate laws TO prevent poolselhnS
and bookmaking at racetracks; who does not
know that In effect poolselling and bookmakiux
on racetracks flourish under the evasiYe and
tricky law which has been passed Does the
anything? Does the oath g
office mean anything? Have we reached point
where We are to debate the fundamental prtncl-
pies of government? Do the opponents OF the
sn1i-gambiing bills now before the Legislature
mean that the constitution is a good thtns
when IL doesn't interfere with their pleasures or
their money making desires. but that II may De
r4al y1han their DOCkorOOOkS
opposes their philosophy Those who give tnat
doctrine to the people will one day reap a ter,
ribIe harvest We either have constitutional
government or do not have IT Do not oo
deceived, The people are not mocked. ~ ~ -
an easy thing 10 override the constitution IN
order to protect gamblers some day u VII pa
an easy thing to override the constitution IN
its protection OF property
CONFUSING POPULAR JUDGMENT
Nv friends. important as are the evils aowins
from public gambling. there is still a deeper
question. and every patriotic citizen must ieet
the deepest sorrow in his heart when he sees
any effort that would result in confusing tho
popular Judgment with regard 10 such a funda-
mental natte- or in leading the representative
II the people 10 ignore their explicit OathS OF
office.
All kinds OF gambling and that 10 IL hunlbUss
10 deal with racetrack gambling and not 10 deal
With betting OF boxes OF candy and the petty
vagers of common experience
Is this sensible? Is any thoughtful man really
by such argument? Suppose it b.
impossible 10 deal with petty private wagers. -
hat any reason why the constitutional provision
should not be enforced where II can be enforced
n YOU cannot reach every bet of a cigar or every
chance or grab-bag. IS that a reason why Vs.
should repeal the law relating to lotteries and
revert 10 the scandals Of earlier days? Re-
,ause every bet OF a box OF gloves cannot Ne
reached. would you repeal the laws 10 gam
bling dens and poOlrooms? But why should We
make favored class of booksellers and book
makers at racetrackS? Shall We erect Monte
carlo and iegalize gilded gambling saloons.
where the inherent failings of human nature
nav have. free exhibition. and not indulge in rhs