The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-07-23
wv JOCKEY CLUB.
lew WITH A WELL KNOWN
fURFGTE ON THE SUBJECT.
mt the Prospects of ltS Success ar,

X DluD,
With this idea In view the DEMOCRAT dispatched
a reporter to interview George l.. Bright, ESQ
on the subject he b9ing. 1t was stated, aoquaint.
ed with the matter.
Arriving at the Office of Mr.. Bright the re-
porter entered and found the gentleman in
question quietly enjoying his dolce far njette.
Reporter-Is Mr. Bright IMP
Mr.. Bright-Yes. sir. That is my name,
Rep.-Mr. Bright, | represent the DEMOCRAT,
and as there has been considerable talk relative
to forming new jockey club | have called to
SEQ IL you will allow yourself to be intervied on
the subject.
Mr.. B.-Well l do not know much to tell
about the matter. But take q seat. sir.
Rep.--I have some few questions to ask you:
will you answer them2
Mr.. B. Certainly; am at your service.
Rep.-Well, then. have you heard of such
project as mentionP
Mr.. B.-I have heard 1t rumored that there
was o project of the kind on hand, and also
that party would call on me in relation to the
matter
,Rep;-Then you do not know anything posi-
Mr.. B.GNot exactly; you see all I know Is
what Madam Rumor says Several gentlemen
have spoken TO me on the streets In this con-
nection. but rs yet have not been approached
by any one authorized to enter into negotiations
Rep.SUf believe that you own the Oakland
Mr.. B.-Yes, do. aud consider It q very de-
sifa9le location loE "a, race course. Il Is now
mediation for forty horses.
Rep.-What, is now required to make 1t COM
plste g racing ground 2,,.,
q grand stand The track Itself could be put In
order In five days.
Rsp.-Do you think the Oakland Course has
ALL THE REQUISITE ADVANTAGES
Tor such o purpose2
Mr.. b. do not think there Is better locality
in the city. II you remember, nearly all the
shell roads Of any importance In the city CEN
ire near It, and nearly oil the people who drive
30 by or near It,
Rep:-Is 4 as easy Of access from all parts of
:, Elf. B.-Much more So By the formation Of
me city, II is as almost equi distant from the
Third District as It Is from Garrollton.
.., A.e2-Uome to think Of It, l expect It and its
vicinity are frequented by more people than
with me? "s'A'0
very close to II. aDd ell the men who visl the
lake either go by these trains or drive out by It.
Rep Is the property well drained2
Mr, BIT ls perfectly drained AZ IN exam
Il does to drain st. Charles street.
Rep.-Mr. Bright, do you think new jockey
club would meet with suGcess2
Mr.. B. do indeed. / think that new club
would meet with great success.
Rep,-I suppose the grounds could be used
Tor other purposes than races.
Mr. Boz course. The place could be made
TO pay all expenses by being rented for pfcnics
and the pasturage OF horses and cattle.
Rep.-Are there no
OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE
TO- be derived from it2
Mr. B.-Yes. | think IL q public house was
erected on the grounds. 1t would be a source of
great revenue, 1t could be laid out in walks
with flowers and shrubbery, and made as at
tractive, as some of the suburban resorts in
Rep.--Ts this new movement gotten up by dis
satisfied members of the Louisiana Jockey
Mr.. b. think not; In fact know of no dis
satisfaction among the members Of the Louis
lana Jockey Club. In fact, there is no Louisiana
Rep.-This is news to me. viii you explain
what you mean2
Mr.. B.-Yes sir: the Louisiana Jockey Club
clubhouse, which has been sold by the sheriff
p.-How about the Fair Grounds?
Mr; B-The Fair Grounds have also been
Rep. is It owned by the club2
Mr.. Bit is owned PRINCIPALS, by insurance
Rep.-Was the Louisiana Jockey Club badly |
managed2
Mr.. b. cannot say anything about that
know of no mismanagement.
Rep.-Now. sir: can you tell me who are the |
parties most largely interested in
THIS NEW PROJECT?
Mr.. RI cannot, do not know who they !
are. have only heard of 1t from persons on
the street, in conversation. ...o .r,>
n
Mr. B.MMost certainly l would. would be
pleased to see a movement of the kind succeed
Rep-What do you consider would be the
best plan for the originators OF thls pro'ec0 70
Mr. B-I do not think they could do better
than rent the Oakland Course from me. In this
way they would require but a small capital.
Rep.-May ask what you would rent the
Mr.. b. do not know exactly what would
charge for Il: 1t depends altogether on circum,
stances With club OF the kind spoken OF
would be willing to make Just and fair arrange
Rep.-what do you suppose 1t would cost to
nut the grounds in tirst-elass conditions?
Mr. B.-I think SIS, 900 would build all the i'm
Drovements needed, and put the grounds In
hrstclHss condition.
Rep,-How would they supply accommoda-
lions for all the members2
Mr.. B--Well have no doubt that If the club
is started they will build clubhouse
Rep.-Now, Mr. Bright do you think this plan,
il carried out, will be successful2
Mr.. B-I think. IL well managed, the plan
could be carried out most successfully.
ReD.-l want to ask you question which you
may not like to answer. 1t is this Do you think
Charles 4. Howard will be connected with this
Mr.. b. have no objection to answering that.
! do not think he will l do not believe he wants
Rep.-What do you consider the most neces-
Bary ingredient towards the success. OF this en-
Mr.. Bone or two
ENTERPRIsING AND ENERGETIC MEN,
n such men could be placed at the head Of it. 1t
would be bound to succeed.
kep.-Do you know Of any time set for
meeting on this subject
Mr.. B.-I do MOI know OF a meeting to take
place. As said before, all know consists OF
rumors.
Rep.-suppose this is a success, will racing
men avail themselves of the lew course as
readily as they did of the oldP
MIR. B.-I think racing men would prefer to
go to the Oakland Course. You see the Fair
Grounds was so muddy that racing men TOOK
their horses to the Oakland Park to exercise
them, in preference to Furnishing them on the
heavy track at the Fair Grounds.
Rep.-Do you think the new club would make
any Improvement over the old. in the matter of
prices of admission
Mr.. B-T do; thing the price of admission
at the gate should and
WOULD BE LEssENED.
Rep.-What would you consider a tair price ?
Mr. b think 81 would be sufficient to admit
to ali parts Of the grounds except. OF course
the club-hou
Rep.-Where would you suggest that club
house should be built2