The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1911-11-22

state was to have racing. there has
been some investigation on the part
of attorneys as TO the law on horse
racing in South Care lima. So far no
law has been found to cover the
question and it is said that there is
no law to prohibit the operation of
race track. Horse races are held
at the state fair and at the county
fairs each year.
Sentiment in South Carolina is di-
vided on the question: and that it
just the reason that the question will
be brought before the general assem-
bly,.
Apparently No Law.
1t is argued that the promoters OF
the Charleston track would not ex-
pend $250,00O if there was law
against racing. The Columbia pro-
moters say that if the race meet is
held in Charleston, then there is no
law against the meet here
Attorney General Lyon has been in
vestigating the question to see, if
there is a law against racing or bet
ting on races. He has made no Off
cial announcement as to what course
he Will pursue in the matter The
governor has not yet issued an Off
cial statement as to his opinion on
the racing question.
The promoters of the racing in this
state will not depend on the receipts
from the entrance fees for their prof
it, but will make the profit by sell
ing information to the pools i'm the
larger cities of the country. Prepa-
rations are being made by the tel
egraph companies to run a number
OF wires to the state fair grounds
where the races are to be held
Public sentiment seems to have
progressed faster than Legislation in
II sections of the United States with
reference to racing" said we'll
known Columbian today in discussing
the situation. This statement was
made in discussing the fact that
there are few laws on the subject.
Gambling Prohibited.
The section of the act quoted be-
low shows that while gambling on
various kinds of games is prohibited
with penalty, yet there is nothing
in the law that would suppress rae
ing. The law prohibits the various
games enumerated to be played on
race tracks" and yet says nothing
of gambling on horse races This
brings about perpleXing question
and one that the courts will very
probably have to decide
1t is declared by those opposed to
racing that the race tracks might be
declared public nuisance" and
then closed up under the injunction.
There is certain to be some de-
velopments in connection with the
situation and the developments will
all depend on the next general assem-
bly,.
Several score fast horses have al
ready arrived in Columbia and are
quartered at the state fair grounds.
About 800 horses are expected to ar
rive in a few days These horses will
be brought by special train from
Washington where they will be as
sembled from the various tracks now
operating in the east
Section OF Code.
The following is Section SOC of the
code OF laws OF South Carolina of
1902, volume 2, which provides
penalty for playing at certain games
or betting on the side of those who
do play:
IF any person or persons shall
play at any tavern, inn, store for the
retail of spirituous liquors, or any
house used as place OF gaming, or
in any barn, kitchen, stable, or other
outhouse, or in any street, highway,
open wood, race field or open place,
or at any games or games with cards
or dice, or at any gaming table com
monty called A. b. c., or r.. o., or
any gaming table known or distin-
guished by any other letters. or by
any figure, or roly poly tables, or at
rouge and noir, or at any faro bank
under any denomination whatsoever
! Except the gamo ~ Jniiards, back
bammon. N."is, chess, draughts or
whist, when there is no betting on
the said games), or shall bet on the
sides of hands of such as do game
any magistrate may upon view or in
ff,tsY ~ Ton,