New-York tribune., 1908-04-01
RACING LINEUP TO-DAY
BOTH SIDES CONFIDENT.
Bitter Parliamentary Battle Looked
For-Rmnes Says Victory.
[By Telegraph to The Tribune,

Albany March 3l.-Tne long expected hne-up on
the Governors ant-racetrack gambling piiis VIII
take place tomorrow. when the Senate taxes up
both measures as a special order for advancement
to third reading. On the of what seems likely
to be a bitter parliamentary battle both SIDES pre-
dict victory, positive and unqualified.
Senator John Raines, veteran majority leadeF'
said he believed the September / amendment to
the Penal Code measure would be wiped out to-
morrow and the bills passed as the Governor wants
them. Senator Agnew their sponsor. feels conh-
dent that that will be followed He says
he has twenty seven votes
Senator "Christy" Sullivan, owner of racehorses;
Senator McCarren, a confirmed racetrack follower.
and their cohorts say just positively that they
can deliver votes enough not only to retain the
September 1 amendment but to kill the bills Their
confidence. shaken somewhat last week. seems TO
have returned tenfod. AS to their ability to kill
the bills the most conservative observers here ex-
press great doubt. The Governors measures. they
say. will passed either at this legislative ses-
sion or a a special session called to take up this
subject again. -
The real fight tomorrow will be to retain Nc
Carren's amendment making the Penal Code pro-
vision of one years Imprisonment for gambling
take effect September 1. thus permitting hait
the racing to be held with Its present ac-
compartment OF professional gambling. There are
few Republican Senators who will vote 70" this
pronoSiton who would not dare TO kill the bills,
although Governor Hughes is as much opposed to
that amendment he would be to a vote against
the bills.
The racing forces in the Senate have been busy
as bees to-day with these Senators. Sullivan, Nc
Carren until he went to Brooklyn to attend to his
primary fight, and Grady have been doing mis-
sonary work of the most energetic order Ap-
parenty they have finally succeeded in getting
Emerson to their side, though much doubt is ex-
pressed whether he will stay there Gilchrist Of
Brooklyn; Sandy Smith, Burr, Wemple and White
are credited to them on the amendment, and most
of them on a vote kill the bills in any shape
There will be a call of the Senate tomorrow to
insure a full attendance Senator wilcox is in
Colorado with his son. who is Ill, indefinite
leave of absence, there will be only fOrty-nine
votes The Hughes will have to have twenty
five votes to defeat the amendment and twenty-six
to pass the bill.
Yet in spite of the apparent success OF the racing
propaganda with Republicans. others counted
positively against the bills admitted to-day that
they would vote for them. Knapp, of Essex County,
where influential politicians using every en-
deavor to prevent the bills passage, OF
these. Aids. considered doubtful now says he will
vote against September and for the original bills
Grattan of Albany, will be for the bills though his
position the McCarren amendklent - somewhat
doubtful. The campaign OF public sentiment
for the bills is producing the most peculiar twists
and turns in individual cases Friends of the bills
despite the work of the Jockey Club and its
agents In the Senate, would not be surprised TO
a veritable stampede tomorrow to get behind
bills On the other hand. If the September /
amendment is retained, despite Senator Agnew's
efforts to have it repealed. doubt exists in the
minds Of the leaders about the outcome.
Much interest has been shown here to-day +,
Governor Hughess speech at Herkimer last night
where he spoke for the bills and indicated beyond
peradventure his intention to press vigorously
the passage Of the direct nomina tons. official pri-
mary ballot and public service amendment meas
urcs
His friends interpreted that as fair warning
to the Legislature that he about
his methods of last year, appealing the public
for support and urging the Legislature work by
messages showing the need of action. They expect
that If tfe weakening amendment is not killed the
Governor Will send Il message to the Senate show
ing emphatically why he believes 1t would be un-
wise and improper to delay bringing the laws into
ton.