The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-06
THE CALIFORNIA TURF.
Interesting Information Regarding the
Tracks Of the Pacific Slope.
THE BAY DISTRICT COURSE.
Breeders Encouraged by Fair
Associations.
NOTED CALIFORNIA REE-YEAR OIDS.

SAN Francisco. Nov. &C. 1878.
Though the turf year in California only to
close with the last day OF December from present APP
pearances there will not be much to add after this
date Still, this is country Of surprises and it is
hard to tell what day may bring forth. The dia-
mond drill penctrates few feet further and stocks
which had been dull at 81 a share bound to s10 A
'cross cut develops than the drill exhibited.
Ind day after day there multitude of purchasers
nntil what sold for 81 in July brings $3.50 i'll Sep
TENDER. There may be big matches between those
who have bought Union and Sierra Nevada before
Christmas. or large purse to bring the flyers to-
gether on New Years Day.
The regular race meetings Of the year have not
been as successful as formerly while the fairs have
been much more The California fairs have always
given liberal amounts to encourage the breeding Of
fast horses. and though this has undoubtedly been
detrimental to the spring gatherings it has kept up
the sport, which otherwise would have languishcd.
There is not country III the world where racing and
trotting well sustained with the same popula
ton. Tho whole of the Pacific sopedoes not contain
as many inhabitants as New York and its suburbs
still the fairs attract attendance from San Diego to
Victoria, y. c., from the crests OF the Rocky Noun
ains to Japan. But the citizens of California would
rather wait until the songs Of the harvest home are
chanted and the grain is in the sacks ere they turn
out in numbers and even the dentzeus Of the towns
are promo to postpone their visit until the time
There is an attraction in crowd, and the games
not enjoyed with gusto unless there is multitude
to cheer the winner.
THE BAY DISTRICT COURSE
twas great misfortune that this course should
have met with It is one of the best i'll the
United States, and the track, hotel club house. stands
and stables the equal of those which in
the large places of the East To make them perfect
the expenditure had been lavish, and when organized
the members represented more wealth than any SINH
lar institution the continent In the flush times
1t race could be the balcony of the club
house men whose united wealth would figure consid
erably over hundred millions. A millionaire was
considered in very moderate crcnmstanc and one
with paltry hundred thousand worthy of commits
Grafton on account Of his poverty. Then
Consolidated Virginia and California were worth
500 share, and the dividends came in so
fast that the trouble to spend the income A
great mistake in organizing the club in not pro-
v1ung for the future. The member ship fee was
$780, but that covered the cost for ten years There
were no annual dues. and thedniatory fee absorbed
the revenues from this were anticipated long
time in advance Then the stocks began to droop.
There were rumors that the monthly dividends Of
$40 on the original shares would be passed, and
those who held on margins sold out. and those
who owned hoped for a 'rise." which never came.
regular attendants at the races were in the same
Ak Mining stocks furnished the dollar which paid
the way into the gate. and that was cut Of There
was an unliquidated claim of $4,000, and when
cost s2so.ooo. fell into the hands Of the the
gentleman who WAS security for the debt.
Ge q sas
his only chance to secure himself Since it into
his hands It has been closed to public racing though
everything il kept in first rate order. and when the
street railways AFFORD the OF direct transit it,
will probably. be again opened. The cable rail
ways OF San Francisco solve the problem of rapid
transit. without the objections which arc urged
against those above below the ground or course.
these only be buh in a climate which is without
frost snow. but all other obstacles are easily
overcome. The California street railway surnlounts
or sraas s, so steep t%t an empty wagon is load
mp SO swiftly and smoothly that the occupants
arc only aware Of it by the incline Of the seats.
This road can be constructed the Bay District
Course. and from thence TO the beach; but
under the mad crusade which is going here
shape-it is hazardous to invest in enterprise of
magnitude. no matter how much 1t may benefit the
street railways in city OF 100000 Inhabitants
over to fare of five cents. and the whole peninsula
The road is built fully this low rate Of
fare will pay, and there are few philanthropists
among those who have sufficient money to accom-
plish 1t who will accept certain loss of large
amount to benefit those who are anxious to
destroy them One great drawback to the Bay District
Course was the difficulty in getting there otherwise
than in carriages. The nearest point ON the street
railway milo and half away and it took longer
to reach the course than it did to go to tho track
across the bay. Hackmen charged from 81 80 to 40
TO take passenger there and back. and occasions
like the big four-mie races the highest rates would
be doubled. Forcing people to pay such sum, when
railroad could be constructed which would make the
trip in the time and for OF fine cost
may be wisdom, but TO ordinary comprehension
1t would appear that II the monopost-a la Kear-
neyshould make dollar while 1t saves me five the
wisdom Is not so clearly apparent
Ex-Governor Leland Stanford is the president and
main stakeholder in the California Street Gable Rail-
WuV her ID mats Imam DontA
takes more interest in breeding fine horses or who
would do more to sustain legitimate sport. There is
ocean, from the parallel of So to the northern
limit of Alaska, who has done one-half much for
the material benefit OF this and adjoining States and
Territories and It is safe assertion that never before
was man so villified for doing that which has
suited IN such great benefit While this state OF affairs
iasts while convention, ne-third of whom mad
men cndeavoring to frame measures subjugatise OF
lhe rights OF property. are in session. it can
the sober of that country oycrco,ncs
these fanatics Then the Bay District Course may be
reopcncd and be made convenient OF access that il
will be virtually in the city 1t may appear singular
that the rawlings of Kearney or the balderdash of
welock should affect the racing interests OF Calfor
MIA but such was the case at least those and cognate
OF the finest appointed course west Of st. Louis.
GOLDEN GATE FAIR
This was the first of the large associations TO give
Its exhibition which commenced OH the 9th of Septem
Der. 1t IL new organization, and that in September
was It's first meeting. The locality is, without doubt,
hendQuarters and with doubtful prupricty IL
solved to call II district fair" the district he the
counties Of San Francisco. Alameda and Contra Costa.
Alameda. outside of San Francisco. is the richest
eounty in the State. Contra Costa is OF the hest
Of the agricultural counties. Oakland is the county
seat OF Alameda city OF 10000 Inhabitants.
and bears about the relation to San Francisco
that Brooklyn does to New York. The location is
beautiful, and, what may appear paradoxcal to an
Eastern man. the climate is FAR superior to that Of
Hun Francisco, though only few miles intervene.
When there dense fogs in tho metropolis the sun
will bc shining in Oakland. In the former there may
be rough winds, in the latter the air il bland
that Ct June In New York. Though the surface
is undulsing enough to afford complete drainage
there are no hills until the base of the coast
range IN reached, aud this Is near enough so that
the elevation can he used for villa residences, en-
Drscing views OF ocean. bay, mountains and plains;
and still inore singular Circumstance than the diff
ference III climate Of the opposite shores Of the bay
Is that on these elevations there IL less wind than
the plsin bnloM. Then Oakland Is q city of eharn-