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WILL MCE IN TENNESSEE. RICE-LIGON LAW IS DECLARED VOID BY STATES HIGHEST COURT. Chief Justice Baird Hands Down the Decision Pronouncing Unconstitutionality Horsemen Are Jubilant Flans for Racing. Nashville, Tenn., February 17. The Supreme Court of this state has declared the Rice-Ligon law forbidding and penalizing letting on horse races to. Ie unconstitutional and racing for another year at least is assured at the tracks here and at Memphis. There is joy among the lovers of the thoroughbred horse in Tennesse tonight and there will be a feeling of jubilation among horsemen everywhere when the good news reaches them. The sport has been saved to the people of a community iu which It has been nurtured from days far back of the memory of living man. It Is safe to say that another such bill fathered by alleged reformers will not be spread upon the statute books without the determined opposition of those who stood idly by last winter, safe in the belief that a Tennessee legislature could not be influenced by the propounders of puritanical doctrines. The Supreme Courts decision, confirming the decision of two lower courts and declaring the law to be unconstitutional, was handed down by Chief Justice Baird this morning. "The bill contains two separate and dlsticnt titles," says the jurist in his decision. "It was in conflict with the constitution oE the state and is therefore void." As to the future racing at Cumberland Park, matters are just now in an unsettled condition, the property having been sold to the State Fair Association; a member of which says-that the new owners, will not foster the sport. A new racing association will be formed, probably on Monday, by the horsemen and breeders of this section and in the future racing will be conducted under their management. The stake program for the spring meeting will be announced next week. "
