New-York tribune., 1908-05-05
MIR. HUGHES SWEEPS
CROWD OFF ITS FEET
BURST OF ENTHUSIASM At
BIG MSS MEETING.
Governor Makes Stirring DeHuucia-
ton of Racetrack Gambling
at Carnegie Hall

Governor Hughes speaking in Carnegie Hall
last night in his campaign for the passage of
the anti-racetrack gambling bill the extra
session of the Legislature next week carried the
vast audience. which crowded the auditorium
from pit TO dome to such point Of enthusiasm
that it surged to it's feet as one man
To the opponents Of the law to the bosses
who delivered votes in opposition % the wishes
Of the people, the mighty that burst forth
from the audience would have sounded Ike
the approach Of the storm Of popular condem-
nation that viii sweep over them Z the law
fails Of passage second time
With the fire Of battle in his eye and defiance
OF the forces Of unrighteousness in his voice.
the Governor stood forth and in ringing tones
declared
4 would rather be before the people in Al
effort 10 bring to pass the abolition OF an
iniquity CT this sort and witness the denonstra-
ton of desire to maintain honesJ representa-
tive government than TO hold any Office IN the
gift OF the people
The Governor had won his audience almost
with his first words There were parts OF tis
speech where each successive sentence. crisp
epigramrnatic. forcefuI. was followed by ap-
plause As he shifted rapidly from description
To argument from humor to pathos. from dec
Iaratfon TO appeal the auditors grew tense with
interest Then came the sentence quoted and
as il was being spoken the audience vas being
brought 70 It's feet as by some irresistible
power Men who are familiar with the Gov
ernor's speaking career said il vas the greatest
speech he has made
NOT \ PARTY MEASURE
With cIearness the Governor showed that the
anti-racetrack gambling law not d party
measure Those who are against II are for the
gamblers. he said. with the exception OF Z few
well meaning. misguided people. whom I hope
will understand the matter better later
We're going 10 have it impressed on some
people in this state that they don't dare deliver
4 Senator" said the Governor. while his voice
grew tense The Iniquity back Of the political
machine is not merely the boss. but the special
interests that use the boss
And again the Governor leaned over and
tapped the desk with his forefngsr TO ernpha-
size every word as he said. legislators are men
They are not puppets. The people vill not stand
for puppets.
After reviewing the course OF The 5iI n The
Senate, where it failed - pass tie vote.
the Governor exclaimed: oh. If Ue-csuid- -ssgs
a history or ~the solicitations and negotia-Ions
which preceded that vote
with telling effect the Governor produced and
quoted from q copy Of the Penal code 70 show
the pitifuI fnadequacy OF the Percy-Gray law
to stop gambling at the racetracks. With rare
humOr he depicted the bookmaker at the track
trying 10 conceal the plying OF his trade for fear
Of the terrible penalty 10 vii. What could be
through a civil action
After disposing Of the specioUs arguments that
the Percy Gray Iau has been upheld BY the
Court Of Appeals and that racetrack
gam bling as conductad vas contrary 70 -he con-
stfrutio1 IL could b STOPPED By the Governor.
he said he knew that not only the religious men
and organizations Of the state were with him.
but that the business men were standing a. is
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