Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-10-31
From the New England Farmer,
HORSE RACING AT CATTLE
SHOWS.


sign three reasons for this dissatisfaction
the exciting nature-and demoralizing
tendency, real or supposed, of these trials
of horse-speed-the overshadowing by
them of other departments of the cattle
show, and the changing by this means of
the whole affair from its original pur-
poses.
1 believe you are right, Mr.. Editor,
and for one, am truly glad that you
have the courage to come out with your
honest convictions on the subject. The
truth is, this practice of connecting horse
trotting with our cattle shows has sprung
up so suddenly, that the sober thoughts
of the community have not been heard
or consulted respecting it. But depend
upon it there is deep and strong
ground-swell of public opinion under the
apparent popular current, which will, ere
long, make itself felt in the management
of our cattle shows and the legislative
aid afforded to them. The majority of
the sober-minded farmers, and the staid
people generally of Massachusetts, will
not encourage cattle shows, nor consent
that the State, by her bounty, shall en-
courage them, if they are to become, in
fact, only sort of licensed horse racing.
The protested object of our agricul-
toral societies is to promote the cause
and the interests of agriculture, and cat
tie shows are one of the many adopted
for this purpose. Premiums are offered,
and the State furnishes part of the
funds, for the encouragement of excel
lence in the several departments Of hus-
bandry But is the trial of the speed of
} horses-and on a race track-a legiti-
: mate object of such encouragement? Is
the speed of horses matter in which
4 farmers are specially interested, and is it
!. essential to advancement in the practice
Y of agriculture Farmers must have
: horses, but they do not need fast horses,
s they want only farm horses-work horses,
: such horses as are adapted to their pur-
d poses-and surely the fancy fast horses
: are the very last animals they would &C
n cept, even as gift, if they were obliged
!" to keep and drive them.
1t 1t is very different class Of men that
e require such horses, and perhaps, it may
be said that farmers should therefore
e raise them to supply this demand. No
+ so, as / humbly conceive. Let it frs
= be shown that raising fast horses, is
,e profitable business in our State, before i
st can be recommended to our farmers
ID But even if it were so, it would no
he follow, by any means, that it should b
: made special object Of encouragement
re by our agricultural societies, and tina
of race-courses should be established on on
&c show grounds, to test the merits of sue
es horses. There may be so many counter
Or balancing evils as to render such a prac
Sc tice very undesirable. And these evil
he are, in fact, now beginning to develo
e. themselves, as you have pointed out i
d, the last NeaO England Farmer.
he True, the advocates of horse-racin
ms deny the existence of these evils, G
We rather contend that what, by some, al
es, considered evils, are not such in realit,
en- that it is only prejudice, and conservativ
he notions that make up their Judgments
is But who is to decide upon this question
H. The majority, of course, and it may safel
he be left to the intelligent, moral and sob,
re minded men of Massachusetts, who col
W. stitute large majority of the people,
es- render this verdict on the subject.
re- But, say the advocates of horse-racin
strike out this trial of horse speed fro
your cattle shows, and you make the
Of far less attractive, and the receipts f
Ter admission are consequently diminishe
ay Suppose this to follow-which NAV we
Ike be doubted-what then? Are Gait
Ter shows to be mere amusements to ca
of crowds together? You can get men f
ed gether in cheaper way, if that is a
de, but certainly, this was never conten
be- plated by the founders of cattle shows
lpe They had higher and more useful O
led Ject in view, and it would be well, we
yht it still kept in view. As TO makii
ing money out of cattle show, by hor
er, racing, why not then introduce 9th
nee sports, or trials-a foot-race by youI
"a men, or climbing creased pole-ar
'ity thus go in for greater swelling still
re- the receipts of the show grounds
self But l leave the subject, only hopil
18th that attention may be directed to it |
IS the managers of our agricultural soci
by ties, before they become ultimately di
the erted and perverted from the true O