Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-04-09

pass the anti-race track gambling
bills, Gov. Hughes today sent to the
legislature a message renewing his rec
concentration Cor the enactment Of
this Legislation and asked for the en-
aetment or eight other propositions
now pending before the Legislature.
Gov. Hughes has decided TO issue
call for special election for May
IL for the choice of a successor
to Senator Francher. Republican Of
the Niagara district who died recent
~.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
In his message today, Gov. Hughes
recommendation include:
The passage of appropriate egisla-
ton to prevent the present so-called
discrimination OF the Percy-Gray law,
which practically legalized gambling
on race tracks.
Legislation to reform banking meth
eds.
Direct primary nominating elections.
Legislation which win place tele-
rhone and telegraph companies under
the jurisdiction Of the public service
commission
The passage Of bills which will IA
cilitate the construction of subways in
New York City.
The governor also urges investiga-
ton by commission:
First, Wall street speculation; sec
ond, the question OF immigration:
| third, the question of unemployed in
| this state and fourth, the relation of
| the inferior courts to certain GRIM
| inal procedure.
RACE TRACK GAMBLING.
| Relative 10 the 1Iat-Agnew bills, the
| governor In his message says:
Il again urge you 10 enact appro-
PIRATE legislation to abolish the exist
ing determinations in favor of race
track gambling
The failure of the upper branch
OF your honorable body to pass tho
measures designed to effect this pur-
pose after their passage in the lower
branch cannot be regarded as dispos-
ing of the matter. The constitution
With Its peremptory mandate. still
stands.
"The evil of race track gambling
flourishes not in spite of law, but be-
cause OF the law. Legislation pretend
ing to carry out the constitutional
provision in effect nullihes it. You are
not asked to accomplish the impos-
sible or to write upon the statue
books visionary scheme OF moral
| reform. You are asked TO rid our
! law of n vicious discrimination where
| by offenses equally condemned by the
| constitution are punished as crimes if
committed in one place and are en-
couraged by the absence of suitable
penalty il committed in another.
A MERE PRETENsE.
Chapter $40 of the laws of 1895.
known as the Percy Gray law. pre-
tends in its provisions With regard to
authorized race tracks to prohibit
gambling. This preteuse runs through
the act But IL chea.s the prohibi-
ton by providing that the only pen
atty. IL no memorandum or token of
the wagers be delivered. shall be liza
BILE TO civil suit for the money lost
IT ever 1t was supposed that this was
an appropriate law to prevent the Of
lenses mentioned in the constitution.
no one now cherishes the Illusion IL
is mockery of prohibition and pool
selling and book making flourish at
the race tracks as though they were
legally authorized. Not onlv Is this
the result, but The enforcement of the
law elsewhere is embarrassed by
these undemocrdtic Determinations 1t
Is not a question for The legislator.
whether this vice should be permitted
or regulated. Under the constitution
the legislature has no right TO permit
IL or 10 regulate It. The people have
spoken upon that question, You are
asked TO make existing prohibitions.
effective. Instead OF virtually protect
ing pool selling and bookmaliug upon
the race tracks-instead OF faYortng
them and subjecting them to an ade-
quate pen0lty-the law can and should
effectively prohibit them by imposing
penalties similar 10 those which arc
visited upon identical offenses else
where.
The demoralizing influences and tho
menace 10 the welfare OF the state
which are involved in the continuance
OF this evl arc obvious. Still moro
important Is the necessity OF vlndicat-
ing tho fundamental law OF the land
ana OF demonstrating that this is
state whore law and order prevail and
whore no interest Is powerful enough
10 keep on the statute books deceit
ful provisions whereby prohibition be-
comes profitable license and u favored
class OF law breakers are afforded sub
stantial immunity.
Respect for law 81 the security OF
our government and tho guarantees
OF the rights OF liberty and win not
long avail n the people are taught 10
view the constitution with contempt
- therefore urge you 10 discharge
n manifest duty ana 10 end the dis
elimination I'm favor of race track
gambling which cupldity Inspired and
now seeks 10 maintain"
Gov. Hughes recommends the crea-
ton OF q commission, the members of
which shall gye their services without
nav. 10 Enquire into the facts relat-
Ing TO speculation in securities and
commodities with tho Wow 10 ascer-
tanning the manner In which Legitimate
transactions may be prevented and le-
Ultimate business safeguarded