The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-01-17
SHARP STICK FOR
EMPIRE STATE
RACE TRACKS
Governor Hughes Addresses
New York Farmers
GAMBLl ING SERIOUS MENACE
His Mail Burdened With Letters Com.
planning Of Homes Ruined by
Betting Mania.
GAMBLING SERIOUS MENACE

ALBANY, n. u. Jan. 17.-Interest In
the situation of the antirace track
gambling legislation recommended In
the annual message of Governor
Hughes to the legislature became in.
tense in connection with the annual
meetings of the state associations of
county and town agricultural societies
held here.
The feature of the day was speech
which the governor made in the execu-
tive chamber to the members of the
societies when they called OH him, as
they do annually. Standing at the CEN
! ter OF big semicircle of the farmers,
100 or more In number and represent
ing every nook and corner of the state.
the governor gave them first cOrdia!
greeting and then ten minute speech,
in which he declared himself emphatic
ally on the subject Of race track gam
bling and challenged them all with the
assertion that every man of them knew
in his heart that his position was right.
The farmers listened with a degree
of interest which might fairly be de-
scribed as anxious, and when he con-
cluded the applause was by no means
unanimous. for good part Of the big
delegation was from the organization
of the town societies, which at its ses-
sion has adopted resolution opposing
any change in the racing law unless
there could be assurance of a substan-
tial appropriation annually for premi-
ums at the county fairs, to which now
is devoted the tax on receipts of race
meetings, which the law gives to the
agricultural societies.
Governor Hughes said:
II fully appreciate the awakening
which is incident to the work of the
agricultural society. I fully appreciate
the great Importance Of having these
societies In flourishing condition,
and there Is nothing that would will.
ingly do that would in any way de-
tract from their efficiency. They are a
very important part Of the activities
of the state and represent an interest
of first importance, and want to as
sure each of you that in all your work
to promote them successfully to the
highest degree you will have my ear
nest support.
Now, emphasize that because In
my last message to the legislature
said something which you probably
have in your minds and which you
may think to have direct bearing
upon the success of the work of these
societies. made the recommended
ton in my message for a change In
the law which would result in the
abolition of race track gambling, in
accordance with the intent of the con-
stitutlon, first and foremost because
it was right. And do not think there
is man here, whatever his interests
may be in agricultural societies or
whatever his opinion may be with re-
gard to the relation Of the present law
to their success. who does not know
that what said was right.
II may add to that that we are deal
ing with matter which is a serious
menace to the morals of the commu-
nifty. My mail is burdened with letters
from fathers and mothers, from en-
ployers, from those who come in close
contact with the decentralization that
is spread through the encouragement
of the gambling instinct-nOt with ref
erence to matters that are beyond the
public KEN not susceptible to proof and
impossible of change on account Of
human nature, but because Of things
that are encouraged and made posi-.
BILE by the direct action of the state In
contravention Of the spirit of the con-
stitutional provision.
Nov, in saying that want to go
back to what said in the first in
stance. The agricultural societies are
either entitled to the support Of the
state or they are not. Some say that
they shouldn't receive any money
| from the state and that 1t Is Illegal to
give 1t to them. Well, my friends, If 1t
is illegal to give it to them directly
right out of the Golfers of the state it
is illegal to tax and then pay 1t to
them. The illegality exists not in the
particular state fund from which the
tax or the amount is paid, but In the
fact that 1t is paid. But assuming, as
under the present law we assume, that
it is proper in recognition of the inter-
ests of agriculture and Of the work Of
these societies that payment should be
made from the state, then let us pay
it in manly fashion. Let us pay 1t
from the resources of the state.
"Let us pay it, recognizing the i'm
portance of agriculture. Let it not be
done as a bride: let 1t not be done at
the cost of respect for our law and de-
moraization of our youth but let 1t be
done with the support of the moral
sentiment of the state, because 1t Is
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