The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-10-07
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.


Jone Editor Of the Dispatch;
a.. w,ov are organizing a jockey club for
,he stste of Virginia, with headquarters al
I1chmond. This time they are going Ia
s,,ccecd.. There have been two or three
attempts i'm yesrs past to revive the turf in
Virginia. but the full time had not come,
and the movements failed because prema-
ture. Richmond had not regained heI
wealth and capital; Virginia had not re-
covered her prosperity; old men had toe
much TO do; young men bad not grown M
TO tske hold Of such things. Now all the
old, discouraging conditions have passed
away. all the new conditions exist, and
there ~ no longer danger OF failure.
Is II not time for Virginia 10 ressscrt her
interest i'm the thoroughbred running
horse. and 10 reestablish her once en,iable
and unrivalled reputation rs breeder oil the
best racers OF the turfy Who OF our OLD
men does not long 10 see once more the re-
yiyal Of the four. three. and two-miie-
heat races, In which endurance first and
fieetness second combined were awarded
the palmy Who Of our Young men but
wishes TO see the resppearance OF the Sii
Arches, Sir Charleses, Bostons, Ninas, Rev
enues, Engineers, and Planets, horses Tor
distance, the true thoroughbredS, again
champions OF the turfS
The breeding ana raising OF breeds for
short dashes have become so chronically
established in the North and West that
there Is no chance for a restoration OF the
old and true system Of breeding, which
looks to endurance and speed, except in
Virginia, under the auspices Of well-0r-
ganized. well-conducted. and wealthy State
Jockey club.
or course Richmond is The place for the
meetings, spring and fall. In The fall they
can be held In conjunction with the state
Fair. In the spring they can be held UNI
der the exclusive auspices OF the cluD.
We can now be much more conveniently
provided with a course near to the city
than formerly. We have not only the
course now used on the FAIRGROUNDS, nut
il the city choose, the spacious public
grounds lying between the new reservoir
and the river could not only be parked
handsomely for public drive or COrS0,
but race-track could be laid out upon It
which would be one of the finest in the
world.
Ii is too late OF course TO bring the jockey
club into organization and action i'm the
present season. but the time is ample 10
bring matters 10 head in time fora spring
meeting. Let il be done. What Pimlico
does for Baltimore and jerome does for
New York in attracting visitors, fashion.
and wealth. and to build up trade and accu-
mulhe capital, well-conducted system Of
races will do for Richmond.
Yours, BENTINOK.
Webster's Speech Here.
To the Editor Of the UlSpdtch:
beg leave respectfully to correct the
memory OF one of our city papers in regard
TO Daniel Webster's famous October sun
speech" The Wing Convention Of that
wear was in session here. and on the .ffn
day Of October, 1S40-forty-three years
ago-they had grand procession and the
speech. Though quite young | witnessed
the procession. and shall never forget il.
In il moved a log cabin on wheels, upOn
and III which were displayed a barrel OF
hard cider, with One-legged Billy C.
from Caroline county, on il, coOn-skins,
brooms, dc. As the procession moved
along the streets there was the finest turn |
Dut ever saw OF ladies, with white, waving |
Ii was memorable day in |
he history OF the then great Wing party, |
md in many other respects. and my mem |
,ry has never failed to call il up on its an
lversaries. Respectfully. \. l.. W.