Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1908-06-19
SICK MAN ENDS
RACE GAM b ING
IN YORK STATE
SENATOR FOELKER'S VOTE PASSES
THE ANTI-BETTING BILL,
rs TO rs.
BIG VICTORY FOR HUGHES.
BIG VICTORY FOR HUGHES.
Man Who Casts Deciding Ballot, Weak
ened from Operation, Travels Sixty
Miles to Say "Aye"
GOVERNOR CALLS HIM A HERO.

ALBANY. n. Y. June IA legisla-
tive battle which for dramatic interest
and intensity of feeling on both sides
rarely, if ever, has been equaled in this
state. came to an end today, when the
heroism Of Senator Foelker of Brooklyn
made it possible to place upon the stat
ute books two bills, repeating the legal
discrimination which for thirteen years
has protected public gambling within
race track enclosures while it was a fell
ony elsewhere in this state. The vote on
each of the bills was 2G to %.
The lineup was in general the same
as that i'll the regular session, when the
bills failed of passage by a tie vote, %
to %, but since then Senator Wallace of
Niagara Falls has been elected to the
seat then vacant by reason of the death
Of Senator Franchot. and his vote made
the necessary twenty-six.
Senator Foelker, who underwent an
operation May 10 for appendicitis and
whose condition for much Of the interven-
ing time was critical, came up from
Staatsburg last evening, the journey of
sixty miles being a severe tax upon his
strength. He was somewhat stronger
this morning and was taken to the Senate
chamber just as the roll call on dilatory
motion was being taken.
Suffers from Weakness.
He was plainly suffering from weakness
and his response when his name was
reached was scarcely audible. He was
encouraged by his fellow senator's sym
pathy and on both of the roll calls on
the final passage of the bill voted with
the majority.
Afterwards his doctor said
Senator Foelker stood the ordeal as
well as could be expected. He is ex-
tremely nervous. We have not decided
when we shall return to Staatsburg."
us Senator Foelker in a dangerous
condition?' the doctor was asked
mo, he is not" the doctor repliel
Foelker Is Bewildered.
When Foelker's name was called he
looked bewildered, said hesitatingly,
What is it," and did not answer until
three or four other names had been
called. Then in a mutfied tone, he an
swered No"
How does Senator Foelker vote?"
asked the assistant clerk who was call
ing the roll.
NO" replied the senator and sank
back in his seat.
After Senator Foelker cast his vote
infavor of the bill he was taken out of
the chamber by his physician and Canon
Chase. Every vote was then watched
with intense interest, but the opposition
appeared to have abandoned hope.
Hughes Is Gratifed
Gov. Hughes said when informed of
the passage of the bills:
II am deeply gratited at this result
1t is a victory for law and order, the
importance Of which cannot be over-es-
timated."
Referring to Senator Foelker, who
left his sick bed to cast his vote for the
bills, the governor said:
THE act of Senator Foelker in COM
ing to the Senate in his weak condition
was most heroic and worthy of the same
praise that we give to distinguished
service on the battlefield"
Will Soon Sign Bills.
The governor would not say when he
would sign the bills, but left no doubt
that no time would be lost after they
reach him from the Assembly where
they originated. Both bills take effect
Immediately after approval by Gov.
Hughes.
Opposition Had Hopes.
Up to the very last moment the oppo-
sition to the bills entertained hope that
the measures would fail. Rumors flew
thick and fast that Foelker had col
lapsed and that some other senator who
formerly voted for the bills had been
induced to Switch" There was even
the report of an attempt in some desper-
ate way to prevent Senator Foelker's
presence at the critical moment. Every
step of his progress from his house to his
seat in the Senate chamber was guarded.
Leaning upon the arms of his doctor and
Assemblyman SurpieSs of the Kings
county delegation, and guarded by Rev.
Canon Chase of Brooklyn, who has how
cred about him and hardly allowed him
out of his sight since his arrival in Al
bany, he came up one of the back ele-
yators in the capitol and made his way
through waiting and most sympathetic
crowds TO a seat in the closely packed
chamber, where the issue was in his
hands.
Cheers Greet Appearance.
Senator Foelker's appearance in the
chamber was greeted with volley of
handclapping which was sternly sup
pressed after moment by Lieut.-Gov.
Chanler in the chair, who threatened
that if it was repeated he would have
the floor and galleries cleared.