The Washington herald., 1908-02-03
WOULD END BETTING
Gov. Hughes Addresses Meet
ing of RefOrmerS.
MUST ELIMINATE DISTINCTION
Before Packed House Executive
Declares that He Il in for PreserVH-
tion of the Organic Law Under the
state COnstitutiOn-AIOraI Regener-
alton 3iust First Come from People.

New York Feb 2.-GOv. Hughes ap-
peared before a packed house at the Ma
jesJic Theater this afternoon at "a meet
ing held under the auspices of the citi-
zens' anti-race track gambling commit
tee to tell just why he had recommended
the repeal Of the Percy-Gray law, and
urged upon the legislature the necessity
of framing an effective measure which
would do away with gambling at the
tracks in this State.
The governors speech was short and
succinct. His plea, plainly put waS for
The preservation OF the organic law under
the State constitution, and for the eIimi-
nation of the distinction that has been
made under the other attempt at racing
regulation between gambling outside and
inside OF the race courses.
Il don't synpathize greatly said the
governor with any scheme for the
moral regeneration of the people through
legislation. The impetus for moral re-
generation must come first from the peo-
pie themselves. Nor have I much sym
pathy with any attempt TO do away with
time The question now urge upon the
legislature and the people of the State is
not whether all gambling can be stopped
but whether We can put an end to the
legalized race track gambling under the
construction put on the Percy-Gray law
by the courts"
Joseph H. Choate Presides,
Among those who appeared on the stage
and among the audience to give the meet
ing their sanction We're the Rev. Lyman
Abbott Dr. y. NJ Butler, Robert Fulton
Cutting. Robert Erskine Ely. John H.
Finley, John II. McCracken. Robert c.
Ogden, W, N. Kingsley, Canon Chase.
Eugene A. Philbia, Edward NJ. Morgan.
7. \. Seligman. Harvey L. Fisk. William
II. Maxwell, Charles SDragUe Smith.
MOnay Williams, and J. Edward Sim
mons. Joseph II. ChOate presided as chair
man.
When Gov. Hughes came on the stage
he was greeted with cheers. In intro
duciug Gov. Hughes, Mr.. Choate said:
I believe il the duty OF every good
citizen to uphold the governor in all of
his efforts for the promotion Of public
-tiJ+ tl4H- NtNs hughes OuElL not 10 De
left alone to fight for the abolition of
race-track gambling, as he has been left
alone in so many of his other fights"
Gov. Hughes received another round Of
applause when he arose TO speak.
After Gov. Hughes had finished. Rabbi
Stephen s. Wise, Of the Free Synagogue,
spoke. He denounced the Percy-Ciray
law, saying that it gave COUntenanCe TO
apparent wrongs of TaCe-traCk gambling
William A. Marble vice president of
the Merchants Association Of New York.
took the floor 10 state that last week his
associates had sent out 0000 appeals to
its clients in the country urging that
they support Gov. Hughes in his race
track legislation Then Mr. Marble Of
fered resolution thanking the governor
for his message 10 the legislature on
that subject and urging upon the com
mittee OF the senate and the assembly
the necessity Of reporting favOrabIy upon
the Hart and Agnew measures now be
fore them. The resolution was carried
by acclamation.