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HUGHES ATTITUDE ENCOURAGING. New Yorks New Governor Declines to Take a Stand Aqainst Racinq in His Messaqe. "The best gift that has been handed out to racegoers at the start of the New Year is the position, lo remor Hughes has taken in regard to the sport in New York state." says the New York Evening Mail. " Influences, and poweifal ones at that, tried to get the Chief executive to take a decided] stand against racing in the first message he sent to the legislature. The reformers from other slates who saw the way to a little cheap glory by attacking the main form of aniUM-ment of more than a million New Yorkers had interview alter interview with Governor Baghes, and showed l im. according lo their light, how the great commonwealth ol Ne-v York was being debauched by the racetrack gamblers. They even went so far as to obtain all indorsement from that great apostle of parity, The Allen, testifying to the evil effects of racing, particularly poolrooms, out of which Mr. Allen has made et ough to keep him in comfort for the balance of his life. Despite all this. Governor Hughes declined to go off at half cock and condemn the sport in his first official attenuate. "That is the message of good cheer to those who can see a little good and a little innocent recreation in a contest between thoroughbreds. It proves to them that whatever position Governor Haghea may eventually take in regard to racing, it will not be until after he has well considered the situation. And that is till the friends of the sport ask — simply a fair consideration of their claims that racing is a legitimate apart and that it is not the breeder of thieves, thugs and robliors that those who have never seen a contest claim. "With Governor Hughes keeping his hands off and letting the people settle the question of racing or no racing, the outlook for the sport during the coming summer could not be brighter. There should be letter racing, more consistent racing, than has lecn enjoyed in this country in the history of the sport. "The consistent part will be brought alvout by the tighter rein that the authorities will hold over those who have been inclined to take all sons of hances to get the money, and the better end will be accounted by the fact that there will lie better end more handicap horses than appeared on the eastern turf last year."
