New-York tribune., 1908-04-10

sentiment ito the gravity OF the scandal involved
in the domination OF our Senate by the gambling
interests and the Rev DR. Walter Iaidlaw. chair
man of the citizens anti-racetraCk gambling CAM
paign committee, predicted in an interview con-
tinued agitation for the passage of the bills
The pleasure of the racing men was expressed
by August Belmont. chairman of the Jockey Cub,
who said THE community is to be congratulated
and termed the measures ''nsdirected reforms.
with the continuance OF honest and strict super
vision such evils as surround betting at the courses
and are curabe have brighter prospects for correc
ton and regulation he said This is and has
been the aim of the Jockey Club 1t has always
had the earnest cooperation OF the racing asso-
ciations and has the assurance OF the same in the
future"
Mr.. Cuttings statement follows:
The defeat by the Senate Of the bills repeating
the laws which now permit gambling on racetraclSs
IN this state in defiance Of the express mandate
Of the constitution, s public disgrace this chal
should be answered by the retirement from Of,
nee of at least some of the Sena tors responsible
pretation; gambling was prohibited in the State
OF New York and the Legislature directed to en-
act appropriate legislation prevent il. The
structions by contemplate subterfuge which still
HSebe 70 our o % Il [oT .oDeGnor
pertormance Of its duty, and the Assembly passed
From the Democratic Senators generally oppo-
Sacfad St4n 10 , (toyernor Hughes policy might be ex
] IheIT action on the anti-gaInbling bills is quite
TO rheir action the support Of the Governor by the
fSt9s DoeFaIf I'm senators ruler and dayor ] sns
earned Among the Republicans who voted against
senator GiichTsi Of ' the 10Th District in Brooklyn
o,I, The part payed by three-quarters OF New York
F oFlnE TO any self respecting community sense
votes necessary to make the division tie were
o1 rsdd oy tRe City OF New GorH Tncn @ IS
bling mania than all the Of the state.
dtion The senate has been been so r far mpervious to
the demand for the higher standards which has
Tent They have chosen 10 take issue with 5 the
would destroy they first make mad.
After declaring that Governor Huehes's attitude
on the gambling question is right, DR. Laidaw
said: Democratic government Is imperiued
throughout broad land # an oligarchy Of
gambling promoters override the constitution
of the Empire State. The PerCy-Gray law is an
ineffective preventive of racetrack gambling Mr..
Belmont personally stated to that gambling on
the tracks has grown far beyond the expectations
Of the Jockey Club. and reaches an annual
total of S5,OOOO00.
The Jockey Club has allowed this evil to grow.
and It's rejoicing over the growth is keener than
its regret for the protection of the gambler within
tracks is automatic advertising for it's meets.
The will Of the 10000 who approved the constitu-
tional amendment in 1894 Is the will of millions of
people to-day, and if the Albany Legislature is to
be the implement Of protecting the few stockhold-
ers in public nuisance We are no longer living
under republican government
Governor Hughes will have the overwhelming
support OF the common people of the state in any
thing that he may do. His message had its origin
in the appeal of incorruptble offical-Mchael
J. Flaherty, ex-Sherif of Kings County-whose
brief on the situation fully justified every structure
hitherto passed upon the racetrack gambling mo-
nopoly and curse"
DR.. Laidlaw said his committee would go right
along arousing public sentiment and that anybody
wishing TO help could send checks TO Harvey e.
Fisk, the treasurer, at No 119 East 18th street
The board Of directors of the Merchants AssO-
citation Of New York adopted a resolution yester-
day approving the recommendations Of Governor
Hughes on racetrack gambling. urging that the
Legislature act them.