, 1935-02-27
LOCAL OPTION
RACE BETTING
is CONSIDERED

20 outlaw gambling on horse rae
ing In Texas for the second time In
three weeks Wednesday bore a ia
vorable report Of q committee of
the House OF Representatives.
At the conclusion Of a stormy
public hearing. the house commit
tee on state affairs. shortly after
midnight, recommended, 10 to 8,
with one pair, that the bill by
Rep. Harry Groves Of Georgetown,
bannig horse race wagering, be
passed.
1t also favorably reported a bill
by Rep. Traylor Russell Of Mount
Pleasant providing that counties
might hold local elections TO legal
ize OF prohibit racing with wager
ing within those counties. The vote
was IL TO Q.
Group I'm Uproar
All the tension of q previous
hearing before the house commit
tee on criminal Jurisprudence again
was present as proponents and OPP
poneSts praised or denounced the
measure. The committee was In an
uproar as the final vote was taken
and two clerks were used 20 verify
the tabulation.
Former Gov. James Z. Ferguson.
who advocated the Russell bill as
the best means Of determining the
attitude to the people toward race
horse betting, was bitterly de-
nounced by Rep. Graves as one
trying TO lead mtmbers Of the
committee and the people astray.
The Graves bill had been over
whelmingly reported favorably by
the committee on criminal juris-
prudence more than two weeks
ago, but was re-referred, by a close
. vote in the house. to the commit
/ tee on state affairs. IL vas the
first appearance of the Russell
] bill before a committee. A Measure
similar to that Of Graves. having
been given a hearing, is pending
before q senate committee.
Critics OF horse racing wagering.
as at previous hearings. denounced
the state law permitting pari-mu-
IAI NaBCAAAA6 90 AAAllAlAL0A W llAC
business interests of the state, o
menace TO homes and public NOR
atty and as leagueing the state In
an unholy alliance with crime and
vice. Proponents Of existing law
claimed IL had benefited business.
helped the s~tock-raising industry
and permitted no evil which repeal
would eradicate.
See Where You're At
Closing for opponents Of the
Graves bill, Ferguson said that,
insofar as members Of the legisla-
ture were concerned. the question
seemed to be TO find out where
you're at"
"Whats wrong with the Russell
bill?" he asked. That seems to be
the solution Of the whole matter.
We might go on forever without
getting anywhere with man
saying the people want racing and
another saying they don't.
Pass this law, as amended BY
the Russell bill, and then any
county that wants racing a have
II, and any that doesn't want II
won't have to. II they want to
run horses in San Antonio, il
won't hurt Dallas. It's a God-giyen
right to bet OF a horse race II any
one wants to.
Here's something TO give the
farmers a chance to make money
by racing horses. Give us a local
option bill. and then II the people
don't approve Of racing we can bow
70 their will. II you fix 1t so the
i people can vote on it. then you
have fulfilled your obligation as q
legislator"
AS Ferguson concluded, Rep.
Graves. closing for proponents,
leaped to his feet and shook a
finger at Ferguson. sitting ten feet
away.
4 honor Mr.. Ferguson as a
4 man who has been elected govern
or OF the people of Texas" he
shouted. his voice quivering. He is
an artful man. but 1 hope this Is
his swan song. and we will be re-
lieved hereafter from his baleful
influence. He Is attempting To
lead you astray as he has in the
past.
That bill (the Russell blu Is a
camouflage. let your conscience be
your guide. There still is virtue in
Texas; and will you sell 1t for a
silver dollar?"