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PROPOSED RELIEF FOR NEW YORK. Albany, N. Y., April 1. The Legislature, following the election of a United States senator yesterday, took a recess until April 17, when it is expected that tho quarters of the Assembly and Senate, damaged by fire a few days ago, will be in condition for occupancy. When the Legislature reconvenes, Senator Brackett of the Saratoga district will introduce in the upper branch, in which he figures as the minority leader, a bill similar to that already presented in the lower house by Assemblyman Martin of Saratoga to relieve officers and directors of racing associations from personal liability for violation of the so-called anti-betting laws. The bill proposes to strike .from the present law the words or any other enclosure or place," also the words "or the officers." It amends the penal law in relation to keeping gaming and betting establishments as follows: Sec. 973. Keeping gaming and betting, establishments. Any corporation or association or the officers thereof or any copartnership or individual, who keeps a room, shed, tent, tenement, booth, building, float or vessel or any other enclosure or place, or any part thereof, used for gambling, or for any purposes or in any manner forbidden by this article, or for making any wagers or bets made to depend upon any lot, chance, casualty, unknown, or contingent event on the future price of stocks, lKnds, securities, commodities or property of any .description whatever, or for making any contract for or on account of any money, property or under any action so paid or wagered, or being the owner or agent, knowingly lets or permits the same to he so used is guilty of a misdemeanor. This section : shall not be extended so as to prohibit or in any : manner affect any insurance made in good faith for the security or indemnity of the party insured and which is not otherwise prohibited by law, nor to any contract or bottomy or respondentia. Sec. 2. This act shall take effect immediately. i Mr. Martin in an interview says that ho expects his bill will bring the relief so much desired by race- track owners, and that his constituents are vigorously urging the passage of such a bill. He expressed himself as amazed ovr th number of officers of the State Grange who had resigned and sold out their stock since the passage ot iti ! track liability law last year, feeling that under Its provision they could not accept any office in .ttje .state or county fair and agricultural societies, which are the promoters of the country race meetings throughout the state. Mr. Martin, who is a member of the State Grange, said lie was familiar with the obuoxious results of the present law., and that he was anxious to do all in his power to- bring about a condition -which will give the harness breeding and racing interests of the state tho relief they desire in this matter-There does not appear to be any doubt in Albany that these bills will pass. They do not in any -sense reflect party opinion. Republicans and Democrats alike- are foe them Republicans especially;. The Republicans in the Senate and Assembly are keenly alive to the harm they dfd "to themselves and to their party last winter and two winters ago. when, they put through Governor Hughes anti-betting program.
