New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-04
Sly DAYS on THE TRACK.

The pestilence of walking matches is now
raging with renewed fury. During the last two
years these affairs had fallen into serious dis
credit that there was little or no profit in them
and the wretched creatures who depended on
them for a livelihood were forced in many
cases to turn TO more decent means OF subslst-
ence. But the big scores, the changing for
tunes the uncertainty to results, and above
all, the keen rivalry between the partlsans OF
the English and Irish champions in the match
Just closed have put new life into the old evil.
The contest was q marvellous test of the limits
of human endurance it is true. That is if the
scores can be credited. But the scoring ar
rangements were not in hands that had never
been soiled, and there were many things that
gave reason for suspicion. 1t must not be for
gotten that these so-caled contests are always
| in the hands of professional lawbreakers-
| keepers Of faro-banks and makers of racing
| books. Every one of the trcad-mill gang that
tramped around the Garden during the last six
days has backer," and as a rule these back
ers belong to the class whose proper distinction
should be suit of the variegatcd pattern IN
favor in certain stone Quarries which are main
tanned at the public expense. The gamblers
who control the walkers and get up the matches
do not arrange these affairs for recreation.
| They are after the publc's money, and they are
not dainty about the means they use for filling
their pockets The careful student Of the bet
ting on this match and of the shifting fortunes
of the contestants will be forced to the con-
cusion that the gamblers prOfited largely
while the watchful observer of the strife be-
tween Rowell and Fitzgerald must have
| thought that it was something besides mysteri-
| GUS law Of nature which made the issue between
| them so close and so doubtful just at the times
when the greatest crowds could be drawn, and
| the largest number of simpletons could be
| feeced.
| If Fitzgerald actually covered 610 miles in
141 hours, as the official score reports, Long
Island City may be pardOned for folding him to
| her ample bosom with maternal pride. But it
will require much more than the present evil
dence to convince any but the credulous that he
went around the furlong track 4,SS0 times
| The best previous performance, that of Hazael,
falls ten miles short of this, and Fitzgerald sur
passed his own highest record by 20 miles. 1t
was match of prodigious scores, Rowell, the
second man. beating Hazaels record by two
| miles, and no less than seven competitors reach
| ing 525 miles, while the third man, PanchOt
touched 500. When theses. walking matches
were first set on foot, 400 miles in six days was
thought noteworthy, and $50 miles the posi-
| BILE limit of human achievement. Now no one
but a Bridgeport buffoon or an idotic Indian
| from Dakota ventures in unless he can roll up
at least 500 miles.
| But even if these mythical scores were genu-
| ine would there be any real glory or honor in
piling them up7 The most important requisite
| for success in these affairs is the ability TO go
without sleep. These men could get only few
| hours of fitful, feversh slumber in their six
| days Of torment. In China one of the most cx-
| Quiste tortures formerly practised on con-
demned criminals was TO deprive them of sleep
| until death ended their sufferings. 1t may
| easily be understood then that the al hours
| were not hours of ease for the walkers In
| their struggles for the gatc-money they under
| went agony such as the Inquisition rarely wit
| messed Only the dull, british temperament
! could stand such strain Look at the winner,
Fitzgerald. Nature plainly fitted him for walk
| ing-matches and for the Long Island City
| Board Of Aldermen. There is not the least
| trace of sensiblity or intelligence on his stOlid
face. The multiplication table must be hope
less mystery to him. Glance then at Hazael,
| VINO maze OOO ulIlcs III OLA u"JS' "Sc, Hb UAc
and movements all like those Of a gigantic
African ape, and his idiotic babble an echo Of
an earlier age before evolution had done its
work! And the rest of the six days walkers are
of a class little higher.
| What is there manly or honorable or crafty
ing about such "sport" rs this In horse
racing there is at least beauty of form and
grace of motion in yachting, there is fine
and noble exclamation in athletic sports there
is an admirable symmetry of development
even in prize fighting there Is display of mar
/