New-York tribune., 1908-03-12
TIRE AyTEGANBLING BILLS.

Tho Senate Codes Committees reporting II
the anti-gambIing bills. presagns as IL does
their massage by the Legislature IS q great VIC
tory for Governor Hughes and for the best sell
timcnt of tie state. The Governor called atten-
tion. as no one had before. TO the indefensloie
s,lbtcrfuge by which gambling was forolideE
Inv the constitution and yet permitted by the
law and the public opinion aroused by MIN hiis
sreut all before It, until now there is little
do,,h, tI,at - bc oyposes. as ii is his reported
intention t. do the amendment by which lhe
cuaration cf the law is postponed until sep
teulhey he will succeed in defeating that con-
cessfon and in restoring the legislation TO IT'S
original drastic form.
Ma compromise should be accepted which i'll
any WAY impaired the substance OF the leelsla-
lion The will OF the people in regard to gam
bling is clear beyond dispute 1t is prohipteo
in the constitution. and the remarkable outburst
of public Indignation AT the legislative hou'ihs
of the fundamental law shows that the public
mind is made up to stay. On this ground, Il
on no other there is no reason to fear. should
the Governor and the Legislature decide th"t
fhe ,dontion of September / as the date "ii"h
the legislation should go into eject was q red
sonahle concession. that this would mean It's
rane,l neyt winter 1t is suggested that Gov
ernor Ivghes would then be out OF the way
and that il would be simple matter 10 restore
OLD conditions at the IT8chS. buC '''NAH'h
Hughes is not the sole obstacle to racetrach
gambling lie directed attention to an obnoX-
ious situation and potent factor in stir
ring up public opinion. but after ALL Ii the
hills are passed il will be not because the Coy
ernor wants them but because the public IN
sists on having them and because the Legs
lature does not feel safe in Gef!ing the popular
will 1t would be just as perilous proceeding
to oppose the general conscience next year 10y
repealinc the bills as it would be this year TO
do so by defeating them. The people are not
TO be trified with like children.
With this dsingenuOus argument out OF the
WAY. something may be fairly said in favor of
the concession contained liz the amendment. The
racing managers have proceeded with their ar
raneements for this season on the basis OF the
existing law. which had been declared constitu-
rional by the Court OF Appeals and which they
had every reason to expect would continue 10
be the law of the state. They were therefore
CARRYING on lawful business and one for which
plans have to be made months in advance. Ar
rangements for some of the great races are
made two years before they are held. II all
1ba races were overnight events that
tracks could adapt themselves instantly to new
conditions which will greatly restrict revenues
the hardship involved in changing the law With
ont notice would not be great. Then, too
making the law operative from September
l would not be special favor 10 the tracks
ON The contrary. il would simply be making no
execution 10 the usual custom in regard to
changes in the code. But it must be understood
that there is 10 be Juggling with the bills
ANY attempt to procure further concessions
should lie taken as the signal for putting them
through in the original form.