New-York tribune., 1908-04-09
R1CING MEN REJOICE.
J. r. Keene's Opinion of Republicans
Who Beat These Bills.

The eight Republican Senators who voted against
the anti-ra cetracG gambling bills and thus pre-
vented their passage saved their party from an
overwhelming defeat next November, according 10
James r. Keene vice-chairman Of the Jockey club
and OF the largest breeders and owners or thoI
oughbred horses on the American turf. This opin-
ion given by Mr.. Keene last night shortly after
the news of the tie vote had come from Albany
Other well known racing men. while not touchlhg
the political Significance of the Senates action
expressed their pleasure at the news Ue Kew,
Thomas r. Slicer, of All Souls Church declared
that the bills were 'fanatica and said ne was not
surprised hear of their defeat
I'm naturally very much pleased SAID MT
Keene. like everybody else who is interested IN
racing. that the bills have been defeated II looks
now II had a clear field for brilliant racing
season. and I hope and believe that the Jockey
Club will be able to make many Improvements
in sport its enemies will in the future ma
much less objection 10 it
When asked regarding the assertions Of some oP-
ponents OF racing that the pro-ractng men mad
worked overtime to manufacture sentiment against
the bills. Mr.. Keene smiled and said well ootl
sides have made a vigorous campaign TO present
their cases. But was disappointed that the press
of New York, or a number of the newspapers. were
not more earnestly in favor OF the continuance of
racing, because racing is a sport that attracts
many persons to this city and because 1t is p
sport to which the newspapers give so much at
tention."
The owner OF the unbeaten Colin paused when
asked to the political significance OF the vote
on the bills Il believe, he replied that the elShl
Republican Senators who voted against them saved
the Republican party from one Of the most hu-
initiating defeats in November that II ever eA-
perenced in it's history. For It is absolutely GER
tain that had the bills passed very large part OF
the racing vote, which is very heavy, "oud hdNe
zone over TO the Democrats. Both in the election
OF a President and of a Governor the RepuDhcahs
IN that case would have been defeated Ihat Is
my opinion" ~
Frank X. sturgis secretary OF the Jockey Club
said. ~ am convinced t for the best that the
bill has been defeated The. action of the senate
will prove OF great assistance to US IN our summer
race meetings" Mr.. Sturgis explained that ne olu
not care to discuss the matter further until he mad
talked with his fellow stewards IN the Jockey
Club, who will meet to-day
Harry X. Knapp, member of the State Racing
Commission and steward of the Jockey CIub' was
equally plea and remarked that he could not see
what there was to be said further why he eX-
claimed. "the bill has gone under and that is all
there is to it. It's good news TO everybody who
likes a horse and clean sport"
Andrew Miller. editor OF Life" and a steward
of the Jockey Club, said: II was opposed to the
bill from the beginning. because 1 thought 1t was
born in the wrong spirit l don't think there
any real sentiment in favor of its passage. 1t
seemed to as if certain politicians used It 10
work up some sort of enthusiasm among their
stituents Governor Hughes said recently in OF
his speeches that who favor racing have
fought fairly, but I can't it that way. We
to regulate betting much as does anybody else.
Moreover. I can't understand how any one can
even imagine such thing a corruption fund
in connection with this matter. Our case has been
presented on its merits"
Schuyler l.. Parsons who for years has been
active in the Jockey Club, dismissed one of the
chief arguments of the anti-racing folk as absurd
'Of course the bill would be defeated" he said
The talk Of men stealing money TO bet on the
horses has been worn threadbare. Il has come to
be the plea OF every thief arraigned TO say that he
lost his Ill gotten gains at the track. As matter
OF fact, the poolrooms and the handbooks get the
money of men who can't afford to bet. and of boys
besides man who goes to the track affords the
time and the admission watch a noble sport and
if he wishes to hazard money on horse he is Bile
10 Go so without undermining the structure Of the
enure moral edhce. The people want racing and
am glad this has been shown by the vote on this
Dill believe also that the sport and the regula-
ton of betting will he improved every year.
The Rev. Mr.. Slicer when told BY a Tribune
reporter OF the legislative action said Il am not
at all surprised have not sought the late dis
patches because ! felt certain the bill would nor
go through. ! have thought from the beginning
that the Governor mistaken because if his
advocacy of these bills had been successful he
would nave increased the very evil he tried to
suppress. / have refused during the consideration
Of these bills to speak for publication because or
my respect for Governor Hughes and of his of7ca
But now L may say It seems strange that man
OF his intellectual strength should select such =
comparatively trivial matter the feature OF his
administration this winter. II Governor Hughes
had lent his weight to bills that have a far wider
effect he would have accomplished something If
for instance the telephone and telaerar,b cor,
panies were brought under the control OF the Public
Service Commission. a stop TO poolroom business
could be made If the commission did its duty
This bill was fanatical and narrow minded and
II deserved defeat. Understand, | do not approye
or gambling, but I do approve of horse racing as
grand sport Yet, 1t seems that men will persist
IN betting on race. Therefore instead of driving
them to poolrooms It IS better to let them bat
under the wise regulations at the tracks I have
found from experience with social evil that II is
better handled by regulation than by prohibition"