The Washington herald., 1908-03-27
HOUSE KILLS RACING
Overwhelming Vote in New
York Assembly.
PRISON FOR TRACK GAMBLERS
Measures Make BoOkmaking a Penal
oGense without the Alternative of
Fine, aud Their Effect VIII Re to
Put an End TO Racing-GO TO the
senate for Concurrence.

Albany, March 26.-The amendment to
the Percy-Gray Law eliminating The clause
permitting betting at race tracks. and
the amendment TO the penal code. pro
viding Imprisonment for bookmakers.
without the alternative Of a fine. passed
the assembly this afternoon by an over
whelming majority
The vote by which the Percy-Gray law
amendment was passed was announced
by the clerk as ayes 126. noes 9. Those
voting in the negative were
CuvilHer, Graubard McCue. and Oliver.
Of New York; Donneily, Fay. Geoghegan.
and schutta of Kings, all Democrats; ;
Staiey. Of Montgomery. Republican.
The penal code amendment was passed
by a vote of ayes 126, Eoes Z. McCue and
Staley, on this roll call, voted for the bill
The bills now go TO the senate for con-
currence. The corresponding senate bills
introduced by Senator Agnew. Of New
York. and identical. save in one particu-
lar. are a special order in the senate for
next Wednesday. In the house the penal
code bill has been amended in committee
so as TO take effect September /. Senator
Agnew VIII try 20 have this amendment
eliminated
Palmer Attacks Republicans.
During the roll call, Palmer, the Demo-
cratic floor leader. made an attack on
the Republicans who, he said. were4admit-
ting that fer ten years they had been
violating their constitutional oaths OF
Office. However. he added. as the COVER
nor and the Republican leaders now pro-
posed 10 bribe the upstate farmers by
taking $4,000 from the people 20 make
up the loss under the new Percy-Grey
law. lie, for one, intended TO accept the
bribe and would accordingly vote aye.
The assembly by its action fulfilled ex-
pectations by passing the bills Of Assem-
| blyman Hart. designed to abolish the
legal protection of gambling al race
tracks in this State, in accordance with
the recommendation of Gov. Hughes Ia
/ his second annual message TO the legis-
| lature. A number Of amendments were
/ defeated by large majority. the first
test vote being los TO IS.
Amendments Voted Down.
/ Among the amendments offered were:
! To make the bills take effect Septem-
Der l, October l. and December 1: to
provide for payment of wagers out of a
general fund made up through increased
admission fees; 10 provide an alterna-
tive penalty of $50, whereas the bills
now prescribe Imprisonment only. as. rec
/ commended by Gov. Hughes
| Assemblyman Oliver -(Dem., New York
! City, led off the attack. speaking first
/ in support Of his amendment deferring the
taking effect of the bills until December
/ l. He took the view that il was pro-
| posed TO coniscate property Of men who
/ had made large investments. under pro-
lection OF the Republican legislation. and
! that they should therefore be given time
in which to dispose of their investments
Mr.. McCue Dem.. New York City) took
/ similar position, adding that the
/ legislation would throw hundreds OF
men out Of employment. 'aTheir busi-
ness" he said. has been legalized by
the State of New York. and they ought
TO be given q fair chance TO get out OF
| the business. 1t is true that men have
been ruined by racing. but look around
the assembly and see how many men
have been ruined trying to be poll
ticians"
Plea for Track Employees.
| McCue's principal argument was a plea
| for the 1900 men employed directly or
| Indirectly by the tracks. He criticised the
Jockey Club for not frankly admitting
that they were interested al least indi-
rectly, in the gambling end of racing.
Mr.. Cuyillier claimed that in addition
I