Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-27
DRIVING AS AN ART.
A HOrseman's Oriticisin Ofthe Incompe'
tent Men who Handle RsiDs.
From, the Neio York Tribune.
a. - L1,utrr ryrG


tent Men who Handle Keins'
From tho Ne,o York Tribune.
Jump in here" was the hearty greet
ing given from light wagon by report
er's horse-dealing friend as he pulled up
in Harlem lane. Jump IN here ana
Pll show you how fast a horse can't go
that's got a big record"
The reporter took a seat in the top wag-
on, and the horse logged at comfortable
gait up the avenue.
"rm exercising this brute for custo-
mer of mine who has gone abroad" con-
tinued the horseman. ''He gave rip
pm price for him at some country fair
last summer because he had record OF
$3.50. | can't say be never trotted II, out
pll bet or swear he's reformed or THINKS
it's wicked 10 do it again"
The well-filled thoroughfare caused the
reporter TO remark that the business OF
driving was enlarging yearly.
That's So" said the horseman, land l
don't know of any other line where safety
Of life and limb IS concerned that allows
the employment Of 80 many inexperienced
incapable persons. You'll see them at all
times on the read and in the streets IN
charge Of public and private turnouts,
and it seems to be know nothing, fear
nothing
"Now look at this fancy affair along
side of US" said he, pointing to high
stepping, nervous bay team before an ele-
gan. carriage and driven by man gor-
geOusly clad in livery; ''dO you know that
money wouldn't hire me to ride in closed
rig like that with such a driver too
much style, too little sense. That fellow
has been told to sit up straight ana stln
so that his toggery can be seen, and to i'm
itate some foreign nonsense in holding his
elbows close to his ribs and his lines up
near to his chin. He has the reins In one
hand and his whip in the other. Now
suppose one Of those nice horses should
stumble or slip, be might get bad scratch
or sprain, for tn RES no pull bearing on
him to help him recover his bit. Then
again, If a spirited team like that should
take fright and want to run. what con-
troll over it has man in that position?
Why, before be could gather his lines and
get himself into shape. such a pair OF
horses could make from three to five
jumps, and that's where The luck would
have to come in.
1T seems to me that people WHO are
bright enough to make wealth and direct
wOrkmen should have better judgment in
selecting drivers. OF course there are
many expert drivers in the employment
OF our best families; they get good pay,
know their business, and are allowed to
manage it. The trouble with many pri-
yate drivers is that they have to put up
with low wages and perform mixed du-
ties at that. First-class men will not
submit to such terms: tip-top American
drivers kick at wearing livery buds at
any price. Driving ought to at least
come under the head OF skilled labor;
some Of these days | believe you'll see a
bureau established requiring an official
test OF a drivers fitness. Men who have
charge of boats and boilers are all under
some sort of supervision; an engineer, Of
course, has to be skillful and intelligent,
but his charge allows him many guides to
90 by. A gauge shows him the pressu z
Of steam, an unusual sound in the move
ment Of machinery notifies him that some
thing needs to be examined or corrected.
A horse needs comparatively as mucn
careful watching as boat or boiler, and
life is as sacred by the carriage load as by
the boat load. AS it is now, anybody,
boy or man. can rattle through the streets
with a single or double team at the risk
o! making paragraphs for you chaps.
Why, sir, there are hundreds OF man driV-
ing horses every day IN this cltT-and es-
pecially on SuLdays-whO couldn't adjust
double or single harness in any emer-
gencY, You've often noticed when a
to rise or to pull the shafts out Of his
way, gOOd-natured cartmen, bystanders
or policemen have had to do the
business. Speaking of harness, If / had
my way I'd have an authorized harness
inspection for all public service where
the wear and tear are severe; much
safety could be provided for by such a
system.
"Emplovers who lack horse knowledge
are often deceived by drivers who assume
the qualification. Here is case: A nice
old gentleman living near me, who keeps
private coupe and has a fairish lump
Of a horse, stopped me the other day ana
called my attention to the animal.
my driver, said he, says he's spa
yined.' looked at the beast and saw no
evidence. where is he spawned?
asked of the driver. I'm his foreleg,' said
he, pointing with mis- whip. Well, | ex-
plained to the old gentleman that horses
didn't get spawned in their fOTelegs, and
didn't embrace the opportunity for a
swap. SO you see there's some virtue in
a horseman.
How can a safe private driver be Sc
lected? Well, ity and Western stage
drivers are a good line OF men to draw
from; almost any OF them with a fair rep
utatiOn for sobriety would nil the bill
They are accustomed TO close and fast
driving aud are familiar with ali details
Of harness and wagons in case anything
needs looking after.
"Colored men? Oh, yes, there are lots
Of good darkey drivers; they like horses
ana horses take 10 them with remarkable
fondness. Some OF them are apt, howeV-
er, to delight in show, and will make a
free-going team do more work than a
white man will. Unless he's bossed
pretty sharp our colored brother will
often use up a good horse about as quick
as-well, about as quick as a lady-driyer