New-York tribune., 1908-04-07
GOVERNOR ATTACKS
PERCY-GRAY LAW
CUNNING TRICK, DUE TO
4V4RICE, HE SAYS.
Denies Any Vested Right in Gam
bling PnJ1Iege-Prdises
Assembly.

Governor Charles z Hughes pressed his fight
against racetrack gambling in a speech last
night at the tenth annual dinner Of the Brooklyn
League, at the Clarendon Hotel His attack
on the Percy-Cray law and racerrack owners
was particularly pleasing 20 the League. as il
considers itself the father of the present crusade
Nearly 200 Of the best known men os Kings
County were gathered in the large dining room
when the Governor arrived late in the evening
Everyone seemed TO be a partisan OF the
Governor. and almost the first words that hs
said was 70 express his realization OF this fact
He sat at the speakers table and heard his
father. the Rev. Dr. D 9 Hughes. make an
address American Ideals" The Governor
then took the floor. Scarcely an idea that he
expressed failed 10 secure hearty approval from
the diners
The Governors entire address was devoted 70
the fight against racetrack gambling He said
the present law simply "a cunning trick
devised NOT for the purpose of regulating vice.
but for the purpose OF afording opportunity 20
make money out OF gambling privileges through
unjust and hypocriticaI Determinations
What FARCE it is" he exclaimed What
a humbug and pretence 70 talk about ehe
wisdom Of policy OF regulation in connection
with the Percy-Gray law and with regard %
the plain enforcement OF the constitution OF the
state II was not enlightened policy. but mere
avarice, that dictated the Percy-Cray Iaut
Whatever they say It is evident that the racing
interests want poolseIIing and boozrnsking at
the tracks"
Then he passed to the cry OF Vested rightsr'
No VESTED RIGHTS AT ISSUE
Vested rights he cried Are We 70 -eco--
nize vested rights in the profits Of Iavbreak-
fng?"
The Governor then dVelt upon the supposed
fsurpation OF the Executive in seeking the
in
violation Of the constitution
How much they are willing 70 endure which
all honest men depIore.r he said but how keen
their resentment when the Executive lays Be-
fore the people the merits OF the cause in which
they are interested and the manner in which
+ the fundamental law has been evaded~
He praised the Assembly for its stand against
gambling, and the Senate for the stand OF the
majority thus far. The Democrats ne said
were standing by him. and he laid particular
stress upon the support which he had received
from Brooklyn Democrat, Senator c H Full
Ter. The question. he declared was not one fora
politics
When the Governor sat down the diners rose
and gave three cheers and a tiger
for the speaker The Governors train vas Al
hour and half late. or he would have appeared
at Historical Hall where the Brooklyn Insti-
tuts Of Arts and Sciences was opening 10 the
public the exhibit 'Congested Population
GOVERNORS ADDRESS
The Governors address follows.
/ congratulate you and the other citizens ot
the state upon the progress that has been made
toward securing The abolition Of racetracA
gambling.
1t proves the strength OF the moral forces OF
our state IL is a tribute 10 the general apprecia-
ton OF the Importance OF maintaining our con-
stitUtion in is integrity And well may the
people be alive To the Importance OF this issue
nlcetIes OF argument II IS plain question
whether the wealth and the power. the cunning
and unscrupUl0us methods Of those who profit
oy gambling prIvleges on the racetracAs SHAH
override the constitution OF the state
There are those who say that public gambling
should be regulated and not prohibited But
the Percy Gray law is not a regulating act II
does not pretend TO be 1t IS not regulation az
all Talk about the advtsa5-lIty OF regulation
is simply intended 20 throw dust IN the eyes
1t has no pertineace 70 the question now before
US II Is SIMPLY for the purpose OF HlSleadinS
some good people who have not looked closely
into the matter. The Percy-tiray act Is simply
q trick-a cunning trick devised not Tor the pur-
pose of regulating vice. but for the purpose OF
affording opportunity make money out OF
gambling privileges through unjust and hvpo-
critical Determinations
If the Percy-Gray law purported 20 be q regu-
Iating statute and TO permit public gambling
stitutionaI its face If any one really desires
10 inaugurate the policy OF regulation OF gam
bling let him try 10 secure a constitutional
amendment. but let him not Try 70 trick the
constitution and seek 10 nGLLify it by deceitful
legtSla ton
The Percy-Cray act requires every corporation
having a racetrack 10 post conspicuous notices
that pool selling. boOkmak king and any other
kind OF gambling are prohibited Is THIS Tegu-
Iating statute2 Why does the act require that
such notices should Re published Simply be-
cause the constitution OF the state provides
Nor shall any lottery the sale OF lottery
tickets pool selling. bOokrlaking, or any Other
kind OF gambling hereafter be authorized
allowed within this state. and the Legislature
against snT 81 he PROVISIONS a. rhts secrion
he Dar~ f<~ay TavE for
plaCardS at the racetr4cks mat pool sellnS and
booknaking are prohibited II goes further. II
authorizes the trustees OF the racing corporation
TO employ special policemen whose duty IL shall
be TO prevent all Violations OF the law with
reference TO pool selling. bookmakins and other
gambling"
deCeitful statute-that the only penalty for pool
selling and boOkmaking a. the raCerracks. pro
shall be the recovery OF the amount wagered IN
a civil action. Thus pool selling and oOOknak-
ing at the racetracks are noulinally prohibited.
while practically. because OF the absence or
proper penalty they are permitted and en-
co,1raged although pool selling and bookraakfnx
elsewhere are punishable as feIOuies
VICE AND POCKETBOOKs
What a farce II is, What hurnbug and pre-
tence 70 talk about the wisdom OF policy -
regulation IN connection with the Percy-Cray
LAW. and with regard 70 the enforcement OF the
plain provision OF the constitution OF the state
II not enlightened policy but mere avaric.
that dictated the Percy GRAY biUs Whatever
they say, il is evident that the racing interests
want pool selling and bookuaking ar the tracks
M one has tried 20 curtail racing privileges -
opportunities % race horses They pOsr rHef-
pacards that pool selling and bookraking are
prohibited We want 20 carry their notice into
effect Why do they object Is u because thew
are interested in restricting vice. Is II because
they desire control the evil instincts of our
nature BY some scheme Of regulation Go 70 trs
racetracks and witness the heroic efforts that are
made 20 that end No They simply varr 70
make money, and they desire 70 make II the