The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-10-26
Foul DrIvInk.

Il
code that should be rigidly enforced,
says the Breeder and Sportsman, it
is that which relates to foul driving.
The term is well applied, as unfair
advantages are anything but sports
manlike, disgusting those who are
the chief patrons of the sports of the
track. The only escape from the
evils which are sure to follow if un-
checked, is for the judges to enforce,
with memorable firmness, the penal
ties for every breach. When the
offense is SO palpable that there can
not be doubt of the intention of
the guilty party, the extreme pun
ishment must be awarded. The
most fragrant cases are those when
the perpetrator commits the foul ON
purpose to assist others, not caring
for the slight punishment he re-
ceives, so long as he can accomplish
the task he has undertaken. He
carries out the nefarious compact,
being well aware that the crime will
be condoned in such q majority of
instances that the risk lie small and If
he be given the last place or his horse
distanced, he chuckles over the sac
cess and plumes himself on the
smartness he has shown. Were he
conscious that he stood an equal
chance of being heavily fined, sus-
pended or expelled there would be
more hesitancy in undertaking the
job and an example or two will
surely put stop to the practice. AS
all frequenters of the tracks are
aware, there are a variety of mis-
deeds which are termed fouls" The
particular and specific offense
which we desire to call 8tten-
ton to now is of the
kind that often occurs, and which
will require heroic treatment to
overcome. One horse trots steadily,
and another keeps In close company
by INDUCING in few breaks which
are not very far outside of the rule.
But on the backstretch the trot is
forsaken, and partially screened by
being hidden from the judges, he is
dashed into a run, though skillfully
handled, go as to keep the trot-
ter up to the fastest pace with
out showing in front. Other runs
are given during the heat, and
when the lead is obtained, then
there is swinging to the right and
left in order to retard the one be-
hind. When so close to the score
that the judges cannot fail to take
recogniZance, the trot is resumed,
and, between trotling aud running,
the winner is forced to open a gap
on all others The winning has en-
tailed, however, exertion which
would not have been necessary if
the other had trotted, and the one
"hard heat" has a more potent eff
feet than two or even three would if
a trifie slower. With many horses,
the excitement following a horse
galloping by their side is lar greater
than when the contestant trots.
Even a steady run is not SO trying to
them as when there is change from
the trot to the gallop, a success
sion of leaps, which rests
though there be no absolute
gain discouraging the staunch-
est, and completely demoralizing
those which have soft spots in their
composition. There may be some
excuse for a driver who, in his eager
ness to win, exceeds the latitude
which the laws allow; but when the
object is merely to defeat to aid an
other; when he is merely a helper, a
hired tool to assist in wearing out a
dreaded competitor, there must be
no temporizing. If fines will not
remedy, try suspension. If ostraclsm
tor limited period does not afford
a remedy, let the sentence be for life.
Should the clods prove useless, try
what virtue there is in stones.