The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-20
THE pOLO CLIFFS 0ROoM.
Ills Trial for Docking "a rony's Tail EnA-
ing In "a Verdict OF Not Cuiity.

sporting men who speed fast roadsters in
Harlem lane filled the General Sessions when
MIR. Hall rose yesterday to deliver his opening
for the defence of james Frazer. the Polo Clubs
groom. who was on trial for docking" tho tail
" Mr. Harry Oelrchs's pct polo pony. Mr..
Hall said that lie could not say. rs
was said to Desdeuoud. according to
tho Count Joanncs. Il will ulain
unvarnshcd tale deliver" because the tail lie
was about to unfold there he unwraprcd from
newspaper the dry and vanished bone Of the
part that was locked" or the pony's taiD is
not plain and Is vanished lLaughtcr1 III the
Jury should convict Frazer. they would make
one hundred thousand Of their follow citizens
liable to wear the stripes on BlackwclTs Island.
The Keynote Of his defence would be that the
prosecution was instGacd by the malice Of
discharged groom. and the vanity OF the Prcs-
dent Of Mr.. Bergh's society. lie wished to de-
tail the defence, If not curtailcd hy the court.
tLaughtcrl
Mi. Hall then called Mr.. August Belmont. Jr..
and asked him whether Mr. Harry Oclrichs
had given him message for Frazer. directing
Frazer to " dock " the pony's tail Mr.. Herring
objected
This is the very marrow Of my defence.
your Honor" pleaded Mr.. Hall. Mr.. Bel
monts answer will show that the docking was
neither wAntun nor needlcss.'
Judge Gilderslccve ovcrrulcd Mr.. Hcrring's
objection. and MIR. Belmont answered:
" Mr.. Harry Ocrichs requested me to tell
Frazer that he wished to have the ponys tail
locked and | told Frazer this" He added
that Mr.. Harry Oclrichs rodcth pony in playing
polo The ponys long tail was regarded M an
obstruction in the use of the mallct. Polo is
| highly recommended ns n means Of healthful
exercise and amusement, and ia now in vogue
in the British army. with the strong approval OF
! the Governments
Al Mr.. Hcrrng's request Mr.. Belmont began
| detailed account OF the game OF polo.
" perceive your Honor" Mr. Hail said.
that Mr. Herring intends t. consume the re-
mainder of the day. game Of polo IL To- loo
/ played this AFTERNOON, and am auihorlzrd 10
| "A theoretical knowledge of il is sufficient for
! this ease" Mr.. Herring replied, meanlngly
| | am drSiruus OF seeing the game, SAID
Judge Gildcrsleeve. " but the invitation IS
Polo" Mr. Bemont resumed. is moro
ponies fore feet are handagcd. and they cannot
| hc hurt hut the riders sometimes iall or arc
| thrown of and injured,
George W. Bishop. who has been n horseman
| FOR ility years testified that docking has
been done Throughout this period Tho old
| method. spoken of In Tho Horse Owners En-
| cyclppcda." il incomparally more cruel than
that which has b"on used within the last thirty
| Of tho modern method. There il not much
Iain, ns ihe 9rera,.on my pc ieriiarmcd wiinin
| 2U.OOu horses. Mr.. brrgh here made an entry
IA dainty hiile slli-cdsed Russia leather mem
1.s principal object Of docking" Il horse.
| tail. MI Is shop continued, In To- Keep % out o
| the way uf the r"ins IN driving, pr tp save th,
| inl.- OF the rnnd. A tad morse will always tax,
| advantage of the reins getting undor his tail.
=. W hut : the percentage U! bad horses 2 Mr.
We'll" tho old horseman answered. delhi
a. 2