The New York herald., 1879-09-21
THE GREAT WALK.
Public Estimate of the Men and
Preparation in the Garden.
NEARING THE OPENING.
The Undercurrent and the PREF
udices on Both Sides.
GOSSIP ABOUT THE MEN.

The fifth contest for the Ashley belt is close at
hand and morning at one o'clock. it is ex-
pected that thirteen will be the track to enter
upon what promises to be creditable race. Inc
questions which have occupied the attention OF the
pedestrians and their representatives lately-the
wrangles and diferences-have all been settled. and
the men now await the time when they will be called
to start for the race
The workmen were busy in the Madison Square
Garden yesterday and under their energetic Efforts
the place rapidly changedit appearance. The trans
formation was complete Twenty-four hours before
it was an elegant summer loungng place, then
it became vast athletic arena. The work
of preparation for the walking match has
been pushed forward SO vigorously that
everything will undoubtedly be in its place by loon
to-day All the contestants visited the hall during
yesterday, with the exception of Weston 1t was
said that he was his farm, and would only
arrive here Sunday evening. The others were mostly
accompanied by their "backers" and friends,
and quite mixed gathering kept going and
coming up to nightfau The mysterious Jackson
was there with his family smoking long cigar and
looking wisely every and again at thetrack. He
is reported to be from New Bedford and fresh
man. Most of the knowing ones laugh quietly at
his pretensions and his chances. but there is
determination about him and seeming latent
force in his light. thin figure that may disap-
point them before the end Of the week. Ennis
iounged about during the day and appeared to be In
fine condition He had apparently very many
friends, and much sought after. An attempt
was made to break down the heavy odds in
betting against him, but it failed. owing to
the fact that the was badly managed
and the rival bookmakers through the
movement Ennis himself was. in all prob
ability not Of this action, there is like
llhood that it done in the interest Of rival bet
ting houses than in that OF the pedestrian. Hazael
everywhere-in the Garden and at the other out
lying resting places of the profession He was laugh
ing. chatting and cracking jokes with all that came
in his way The near approach of the struggle
changed nothing in his manner; he was as lively
il he of the belt. The sporting world
has called him "the puzzle" because they cannot
make up their minds about what his performance
may be. So far they have only been able to esti-
mate by his record, but they all say he is
likely to fling that to the winds and aston
ish the town he is to drop out OF
the game at an carly moment Rowel in the
Garden almost the entire day. and while some de-
clared he was looking stae'' others again insisted
that he in fine condition. Very little has been
of Hart, and his friends retcent the sub
lect of his training They betting heavily
though, and so are the admirers of Guyon.
FEELING CITY.
test the interest increasing Thisis shown in var
ways. Scraps OF concerning the men, the
con ton they in and all tho details relating
them and the match were eagerly devourcd and car
red from the OF preparation to all parts of the
town. Crowds of men. boys and women be.
deg the entrances to the Garden from an
early hour in the morning waiting for stray
rumors and glance at the men. The betting houses
thronged all day. and in the evening the side
equally burdened. Large sums of money were
wagered few of the men. and their relative
values were continually changing. There is no
doubt. from the feeling manifested yesterday.
that the match will be the most exciting
of any that has yet taken place. The managers are
of the opinion that they have q formidable week
before them, and they admirably equipped for
their duties. Mr. c. d. Hess and the Kuntz
Brothers have been liberal in their outlay, and
the arrangements for the accommodation of
those concerned in the affair will be as per-
feet as the magnitude Of the undertaking will per-
NIT good deal of dissatisfaction is still expressed
about the prices. Mr.. Hess has received a volumi-
nous correspondence the subject. He remains
drm, however, to his determination and will make
change. The writers OF the letters sent
him say they would like to the match
but the price will force them to remain at home.
and several insist that it is the who
should not now be deprived OF the opportunity of
indulging their curiosity and having some of the
follow at the same place and point out that If hfy
cents cents VIII . pay the OLeary .,c contestants to
sey m ought he to talking a as Ss sss
ever. Indeed. it anything, it was more frequent
and louder yesterday than it has been for several
days. The opposition to Mr.. Hess. which SO marked
the inaugural getting together of the pedestrians
reduced itself INTO intense admiration the
minute he granted them privilege or two
took shape again yesterday and burst forth
unexpectedly upon the scene. For week past
they have been delighted with all he said and did,
though the fact he said very little. leaving the
discussion exclusively to them Suddenly yes
and tongues were let loose. The burden Of ss the
argument-and there has been much of it
Is money" the pedestrians can only
emulate their talk with perform the
track the walk will be the most wonderful, we'll
ss the greatest exhibition of skilled endurance the
world has ever witnessed. Mr. Hess, Mr.. Atkin-
son. Mr. Potter. the kuntz Brothers and the twelve
representatives OF the men are AL actively
OF the match, and it would seem that It
ought to be well attended to and satisfactorily.
content with 1t, and In their opinion the best thing
walk and not bring their into turbulent play
by much useless excitement.
THE UNDERcURREST PREJUDICE.
An unpleasant and dangerous element has risen 10
the surface by this want OF confidence in the man
agcnent by the men. A gentleman conversant with
AL tho bearings of the question and outside senti
mcnt said openly yesterday in u hotel corridor:-
There has been too much mystery in this
thing all along. A disposition to hide what
was going and to push the Ameri-
cans to the wall has been noticeable from
the start Weston is an American by birth, but Eng
lsh In heart. The other men offered them choice of
tents. and what did they do? took two beside
another The of all this talk is that peo-
Ile fancy the walk could not nave been ar
ranged here If they hadn't crossed the look
efter II. square, open dealing is what
customed here. and we don't want any nonsense.
Meetings with locked doors and the press airing its
heels in the hallwaysthas been the way with 'cin.
Now the press tins country is the watch dog of the
o,,1 k.fn all
will, they'll get the bottom OF IT. don't
pretend TO reflect anyone. They're all nee gen.
temen, but they're not alive yet to the fact that
this Is New York and not London. Now, here's this
Ashley bclt-why Ashley belt? Sir John Ashley never
contributed dollar towari IL, and where do his in
tcrests come ia that he must be represented
and make all tho poMwow2 The belt