Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-03-03
THE RACING BILL.

Delegate Edwin P. Cox, OF Richmond,
was prompt to arise 10 the House yes
ierdsy morning aud request the recon-
initial of House bill AL, the seemingly
innocent measure which, according
to Commonwealth Attorney Crsndsl
Mackey, of Alexandra, js designed 10
protect the gamblers and sports ti his
section.
The House patrons Of the bill are
Messrs. Wilson and Pitts, and 1t has
been reported from the committee on
general laws.
Almost before he got through talking
Delegate Martin Williams, of Giles, was
on his feet to oppose the motion. As
Mr.. Cox failed TO get the required two
thirds vote, he failed to carry his point.
The fall title of House bill 42l is as
follows: "To establish State Breed
ers' Commission for encouraging the
breeding of horses in the State and
providing for the appointment Of the
mem bers thereof bestoWing upon the
said commission certain police powers
for the purpose Of regulating the orderly
and proper conduct OF trials OF speed
and endura ace, providing penalties ftr
poolselliug, bookmaking and other
gambling, and providing that 8 per
cent. OF the gross receipts shall be paid
into the treasury Of the State annually
for the improvement! Of The county roads,"
Mr.. Pitts said that naturally he, for
the present, took the statements of Mr..
MaCksY with a grain of salt. But
neither he nor Mr.. Wilson is dogmatic
about the bill, and if it actually bs so
heavily loaded as is charged, they wish
ils vicious features yiscerattd.
Messrs. Wilson and Pitts yesterday
gave out the following statement about
the bill:
1--WE were asked by gentlemen Of
high standing 10 Virginia TO introduce
House bill No. 42l, with the assurance
that it was their wish and purpose TO
have passed measure from which every
gambling feature should be eliminated
and prohibited, and while We believe
the bill as printed Is. sufficiently gusrde1
in this respect, il it is not, its friends
will sgree to suy amendments looking
to the prohibition ofsll kinds and forms
Of gambling"
Referring TO the attack made by
Commonwealth Attorney Crandsll
Mickey, of Alexaudfiq, on House bill
No. 42l, entitled "a bill to establish
a State Breeders Association" Sena-
tor Esrly, of Greene, who offered the
measure in the Senate, in answer to an
inquiry yesterday, said that Mr.. MaCkey
had entirely misconceiyed the purpose
OF the bill, and that his deductions
as to the effect OF the measure we're En-
rOneous.
A commission 10 be appointed BY the
Governor will have supervision Of mat
ters pertaining to breeding and racing
of horses, said Senator Early, and the
bill is amply safeguarded against any Of
the dangers OF race track gambling, that
Mr.. Mackey thinks he has discovered
10 it.
"If did not believe that the bill |
wss so ssfeguardee, aud was distinctly |
and solely for the benefit of breeders |
Of fine horses In Virginia, | would never |
have given it my enforcement" de-
clared the senator. "rhe bill came to |
me with the recommendation Of some |
Of the most responsible horse breeders
10 the State, OF the most responsible
horse breeders in tie State, of whom
am at liberty to mention R. J. Han
cock q Son, Of Charlottesville, and the !
Hon. Henry Fairfax, and from my
own examination Of the measure.
was convinced that the State would be
benefited By its pass ga."-[ Richmond |
Journal.
Get DeWlff,s Carholiza1 Witch Hazel /