The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-07-04

Friend, r. o. NIincr.,
NEW ORLEANS, June 16, 1875.
Editors Turf Field and Farm:
The astonishment Of the New Orleans public at
the wanton and unfounded aspersions cast upon
the management of the Louisiana Jockey Club IN
Fordham's communication In your issue OF May
10Th, seemingly inoorsed by you, was only eX-
ceeded by learning authorifatlvely that the
author was none other than sour young friend,
F. o. Minor" as he complacently styles himself.
OF the good taste displayed Ill writing about
ones SELF as he does, even over nom de plume,
tect the management from vindictive and I'M
founded aspersions, which else might receive
some attention abroad, our local press having
already for the sake OF right, done full justice to
the complaints, which. as well as we gather them
from the not over.clear theme, are these:
\ l. That the race meeting, which should nave
commenced April 3, was postponed to favor MIR.
3. That the club did not wish Cottrill's string,
the only one prepared for business, to carry all
the money of. ~,
! The simple truth is that the pestponement OF
the meeting from April was an admitted neces-
sity, of which, we presume, mo one was better
aware than Mr.. Minor himself .USc.
-Four months OF almost uniu terrupted rains had
SO saturated our level lands and completely filled
ali drains that. Notwithstanding bitches aud
draining machine, the last rain flooded the whole
track and grounds. From Wednesday evening
to Friday just before day, q drenchlng rain feiI,
with hardly moments cessation. "A careful sur
vey Of the course satisfied the management that
it would be unsafe to run over it for some days.
At this time, after noon of April g. the weather
was lowering and threatening, and ''Old Proba-
bilities" foreshadowed still further rains. -
Under the circumstances 1t became the duty OF
the Stewards to decide upon the length OF the
postponement, for we repeat the necess lty for q
postponement was universally conceded.
In forming just conclusion, several consider
atoms entered, among which were: the best H.
terest Of the club; that Of stable owners the pub
Experience has taught that nothing is more
detrimental than postpOnements from day TO
day, when these have TO be suecessively repeated,
either to horses, which have to be "drawn"
llc. who, becoming unsettled as to the certainty
of events, at fixed days, lose all interest, and,
failing to patronize make the meeting q failure.
On the I'd Of April, owing to the preceding rams
and to the then unsettled weather, this apathy IN
the public v as everywhere apparent. We were
now fast coming upon the season Of the year
when "bright skies and genial suns c0mpen-
safe for the rains Of our early springs, and the
extraordinary quantity OF water which had lallen
made our expectations of early good weather,
after the then. threatening storm passed over,
but the more certain. A few days OF good weather
would give us good track and dry grounds, and
infuse into the public mind an inclination for out
door recreation.
No race mt citing was fixed for an earlier date
than the 4th of May, except that at Galveston,
which. we had the assurance, would postpone,
necessary. to accommodate itself to the necessities
Of our case. "a
In view Of these facts, the Stewards. using the
discretionary power vested In them by'tne rules,
postponed the meeting one week, instead OF post
poning it to the ensuing Tuesday, as had beer
m Minor saws .st ow the writer called upon
all owners of horses, except MIR. Howard they
to man said they were opposed to postpone
mt mt for week." Major Bacon and Mr.. William
eon. OF Mobile, the intimate friend and accredit
ed agent Of Mr.. Cottrll, speaking Tor the latter
both advised the postponement made In the pres
ence Of several gentlemen, after full discussion
and consultation; and MIR. Hitchcock over mi
own signature, in your issue OF June 4, says he
thoug6t the club should have postponed the
races" He and such others as could be found
were consulted on Friday morning, and as the
report came back, and we believe the fact TO De
| ali were in favor Of pOstponement, though IL
| possible some preferred an earlier day What II
| IT, re asserted can be substantiated at any timt
| by men whose word no one doubts. Eacn one
| must decide for himself whether or not these
| parties advised postponement OF the meeting
and in the next breath told Fordham they Wer'
Mr. Minor states that the postponeInent wal
made in the interest of Mr.. Towards horses. W.
deny it; as we deny that his horses were or coul(
be benefited by 1t. Every one In the least con
yersant with the condition OF these horses know
/ that the two of them on which his trainer de
nended were threatened with letting down
Eyery tyro in the business knows the longer
horse in such condition is trained the greater ar
the chances against him; snch horse will ru'
successfully on soft, muddy track, when or.
i and harder track will break him down. Had MI
| Towards horses run on April B. 1t Is but falr u
saw they would have done much better
Being fuzzy advised Of this, when Mr.. Howard
voted for postponement, he knew he was actln'
against his own interest, an act totally incompre
bens;ble to a narrow minded, selfish nature. a
= tnrned out. both horses broke down IN thel
first races. a. not unforeseen result OF the post
ponement to many. The fact, while seeming
Syatifying to Fordham, only illustrates the spite
| FL sn,rit of which his communication IS born
10 much for the postponement; now for tn
second csuse Of complaint. a..
there WAS only one stable prepared for bushes
tMr. cottrirsj and they dil not wan. that str in
to take all the money off, We demand % q M
-. 80 .b;s ort The accusation is q serlOu