The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-01
The Drivers, Ring.


The past season OF tr0tting has fully developed q
ion OF many patrons calls for thorough sitting at
the hands Of our National TrottinQ Congress. The
men composing the drivers ring have carried mat.
tiers with high hand, and their glaring disregard
OF rules and decency has rarely been punished
by censure from the judges stand. The feature OF
Offering heavy purses to induce the entrance OF
large number OF horses mas afforded the drivers
most convenient opportunity to play their little
games with but small risk Of detection from mere
spectators, who pay their money to witness sport
and bet their dollars on reliable information. O In
most cases this reliable information is derived from
some member OF the ring who has his pckets on
duty among the crowd to chant the qualities OF the
favorte OF the day and to whisper confidential adj
vice to parties who have money TO lose. The pool
sales on the eve OF race botn frame the odds and
ofcialy proclaim the favorite to the outside world,
and the sure winner Is eagerly picked up by many
who are anxious to have their names enrolled on the
list OF sports The drivers hover round these magic
auction sales, hobnob for moment with each new
vlctlm WHO'S soon convinced OF the drivers almost
supernatural ability N inc mysterious realms Of
seem almost strangers to each other, and rivalry
appears to exist between them which borders the
wins the first heat with apparent ease, and the odds
which were, say 100 to 49, before the start become
of: with the second heat begins the unraveliing
Of the horse drama OF the day. each driver playing
his special roe. Scoring Is usually the first thing
another as laid down In the private programme and
start is erected until the prime favorite is scored
the ere the quarter is reached and is heard Of
no NO. more In 1.-The Ine race. He is o gutter,
the the various cappers FOR the ring who vehe.
mently curse the dispenser OF reliable information.
Some horse not mentioned In the betting wins the
race and first money and IL not unfrequently
that the flag falls before the prime favorite In the
second heat Is ended Some knowing ones may
hedge and get out WHOLE but the mass OF the dollars
bet on reliable information derived from the drivers
ring IS scooped up by the drivers themselves. II
arst heat is ended. It is rarely safe to stake your
| money at long odds on the prime favorite. 1t Is
absolute FOLLY to place your hopes ON "reiable" In
| formation; for that can always be traced to the
drivers ring,
Harlem Lane.
Thanks to the Board Of Public Works and the in
defatigabe zeal Of the roadmaster Harlem lane Is
In better condition than any other driving road New
Workers ever enjoyed That this fact Ia appreciated
can be verified any fine afternoon by witnessing the
crowd OF splendid turnouts and the display of the
| magnificent quadrupeds, unequaled In the world.
For the acquisition OF these high-bred steppers
money has been spared, and New York has been the
market where high-priced flyers are sure to meet
| with purchasers. Our Harlem lane would not be
surpassed by any track In the country were 1t
| the fact that the upper end is continually
l aouscu Ny the tcdmSVers employed IN grazing
| the new boulevards and avenues. Dali,
these men drop from their trucks larg
pieces OF stone, large enough to be classine,
as rocks. directly the roadbed, and in nine case
out Of ten they left where they fall until the roa
master can collect sufficient force for their reno
val. II there were no other road for these teamster
to travel they would doubtless be right in avaiIn,
| themselves OF all the privileges guaranteed by thi
constitution OF the United States and be justified IL
asserting their rights not only to the best road Blu
to the best part OF that road to the great annoyance
| OF thousands OF pleasure-seekers, and show the
| world that they were free American citizens and
put In full force the doctrine that capital must give
right or way TO labor. The contractors, and espe
/ cialy those who have now control OF the improve
ments going forward, give daily evidence that they
ENJOY fast drive, for they take delight IN
| displaying the feetness OF their HamDi6f oman
pets over the lane These men have ample
proof OF the nuisance complained Of and as 1t Is
occaslOned by men In their employ. can easily
remedy this useless and serious drawback to the
sports OF the lane. Other avenues OF travel may
not be quite so agreeable to the drivers of these
trucks, but they are far from being impossible for
| slow work. II the contractors would have Harlem
lane kept up to It's present high state of excellence
| as q driving road and prevent serious accidents,
which liable TO result from the caress deposit OF
boulders upon the rOadbed they can, by an order to
their employees to take some other route receive the
thanks OF the trottng public ana make all serene
and happy once more on Harlem lane.