The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-09-28
Fleeing Into Another Evil.

Although we are satisfied that many will
agree with the suggestion Of our correspond
ent whose letter appears below, we feel our
selves bound to declare that our Judgment Ia
very much against it. There should be some
other method devised to ward OF the prevail
ing modern evil. This Is the letter:
sia: II seems that unless some change IL brought
about. those who have been 40 blessed with earthly
goods - to have horses, carrages and daughters
once will md them In view Of the prevailing
epidemic OF elopng should the custom for
the women to handle the ribbons themselves FArHra
We must record ourselves as against this
propositiCa. However Objectionable an elop.
Ing coachman may be. We don't believe this
Is the best way to get rid Of him. In short,
We are opposed to women driving horses.
Tho first and most serious objection Is that
they are not strong enough. When 1t comes
to struggle between horse and q man, In
case the former Is bent on running away and
still has his strength unexhausted, 1t often
happens that no driver and no number Of them
can hold him. They can break the reins. or
the horses jaw. or make him choke himself
before he will stop. Occasionally 1t doesn't
make much difference whether one or q dozen
tug on the reins, or whether thoy aro men or
can bring the performance to close, and tho
close Is frequently lamentable In the ex-
IRENE.
But there Is almost always q moment after
. horse has received his provocation to run,
when he Is gathering himself for the start
and before he has got fully extended |;
the moment when man who has
been there before. has time to ask
himself the question, "Am going of Heaven
knows where. or am going to stay quietly
about here?" Then the experience, power.
and decision Of q proper horssman
have strong chance OF turning the scale and
preventing a frightened animal from utterly
losing his head and perhaps his own and
bis masters life besides. Even II tho horse
finally breaks away, 1t frequently occurs that
superior skill and strength, more than q
woman possesses. can guide him past OBJ.
stacles or turn him along safe roads and up
certain hills until he Is brought under con.
troll again.
or course, there are some women who arc
good drivers, or. at least, pretty good; q
great many who can pass another wagon or
n country road without driving into the I'D
Joining field; and any number OF them who
stantly twitching at his mouth. But ever
among the very best Of them, say for In
stance dozen who have got as far as driv
ing tandem, there might not be one who, OF
the whole, would be as safe driver as goot
everyday sort OF man who knows something
about horse.
1t would be rather hard to say that
healthy, sensible girl should not drive
quiet horse In the country. There is risl
about great many things and still peopl,
OF good judgment think best to run 1t. l
would never do at oil to avoid everything
dangerous. But when II comes to the city, 70
example, in such densely crowded ways as tn
roads In tho Central Park, women had mucl
better not drive. So had great many meI
The best driver In the world Is helpless whe
he is tammed between couple Of senseles
jehus whose only right to Touch their rib
bons lies In the fact that they have bough
them and paid for them. But even undis
puted ownership doesn't confer the right I
attach them to the bit Of horse and jeopar
other peoples lives By holding on to II