The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-10-20
From tho Michigan Farmer.


At the Dexter Park meeting we see
that Mr.. Smith, the reporter of the
TuEJ, Ficld and Farm, was assaulted by
the driver of the mare Lucy, because
he reported that in the race at Kalama-
zoo that the mare was not allowed to
win, when it was supposed she could
have beaten Goldsmith Maid very easily
in either heat. We were present at
that race and watched it with good
deal of interest, as the entries were all
noted for speed, and it was the general
hope that Goldsmith Maid and Lucy
would let out a link or two on the time
made at Buffalo. In this we, in com.
mon with many others, were disappoint-
cd, and we were also disappointed in tho
manner i'll which the horses were driven,
Tor 1t was patent to every practiced eye
that it was a set thing that Goldsmith
Maid should win In each heat Lucy's
driver made no effort whatever to out
trot Goldsmith Maid. 1t was, in fact,
hlppodromc performance, in which we
think the Association would have been
justified i'll withholding the purses.
When Mr.. Smith reported that race as
being driven in such q manner as to
lead to the conclusion that Lucy was
held, he expressed the opinion of every
reporter on the stand as we'll as that
of the most practiccd and experienced
horsemen who were present. The as
sault on Mr.. Smith is, therefore, not
only an assault on him personally, but
also on the whole press which reports
the races. 1t is an attack on its indie.
pcndcnce, and also will prove a most ia
tai occurrence to the trotting interests
If 1t is not promptly punished to the ut
termoSt extremity allowed by the rules
and regulations of these establishments.
We arc very well aware that Mr.. Smith
was somewhat captious in his reports
and remarks Oh the races at Kalamazoo,
and the events that came off at that
place, and that a little more generous
allowance for the newness and freshness
OF the management would have done just
as much service as the very severe an
imadvcrsions, poured out without stint
or Judgment, on judges, managers, and
the village generally, and which we think
were not deserved, and seemed alto
gcther too much like seeking for occa-
sion to find fault. But no assault on
him is justified by his reports, and the
very best and most serviceable part of
his reports was that which related to the
driving of Lucy. We had seen her
driven i'll tho same way at Buffalo, and
now this hippodrome arrangement was
carried out second time at Kalamazoo,
very successfully. 1t was his duty to
expose it, and every horseman ought to
thank him for his exposure. We think
tho Turf, Field and Farm is quite
right 10 insisting that the Dexter Park
Association shall punish the infringe
mont upon the rules committed by tho
driver of Lucy, to the utmost extent
that the rules permit. Such an attack
as that is one upon the whole press, and
cannot be overlooked by any respccta
bic association. Had it been committed
at Kalamazoo, the offender would have
been not only sent off the course, but
he would have been committed by the
law, aud his apology to MIR. Smith
would have been ignored. No such oc-
currencc would happened there without
prompt and speedy justice having been
melted out to the offender.