The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-10-12

Some Criticism of the Way In which tbs
Running Races were Managed.
10 he Editor Of TIE InlelIigae5.
SIR:-The West Virginia Exposition
and State Fair Associations Fifth Annual
Meeting was grand success in exhibits
and financially, for which the managers
have received many expressions OF justly
merited praise. But in some things they
have done they as Justly deserve censure,
and by pointing out their mistakes, l may
proven itsrecurrence another year.
In article 10, the Board say all articles
and animals for competition Except horses
in the speed classes must be entered on
the Secretary's books by Wednesday, Sep.
TENDER 2, by 0 o'clock p. VI, at which time
the entries close for live stock, and none
will be received after said date. To this
rule so far as l know the Board rigidly
adhered, and this being the first ruling OF
that kind was overlooked by many that
would have entered and added much to
the display OF stock. When the Board SO
rigdly adhered to that rule, 1t would have
uSGu pIuutklt " AhNG CD GIOsGlI hQuEEeu
to some other rules.
They say in their published programme
Of races they will be governed by the
rules and regulations OF the National
rrotting Association, as amended Febru.
AIRY s, 1852.
We will now see II they did not violate
the rules in the running race in every
point OF benefit. to the horses and their
owners.
First, as to the start: In this case the
starter stood on the outside OF the track
some ten feet above the Grand Stand, with
flag in hand, to give standing start, noti-
lying the jockeys Tor riders il they started
before the flag fell they were liable to
fine OF S25. Thus lettering those not
regular jockeys, who knew there could be
no such fine imposed.
Now, the rules which the Association
decided shall be adopted says in rule 20,
section ): an all cases the starting word
or signal shall be given from the Judges
Stand, and in no instance shall a standing
stsrt he given" ..
The rule is wise and Just one, as
Jockeys mounted on fiery steeds, anxious
10 get away, cannot so control them as to
keep watch for the drop OF the flag in
the hands Of man on the side OF the
track, and directly opposite the starters.
AS to a distance: In this case no
measurement was made for distance, yet
about forty yards was given, after first
making twenty-five yards the distance.
Now, the rule (27 section ~ is that in
races OF mile heats eighty yards shall be a
distance. Here it will be seen this rule
was violated, and had not this rule been
violated Judge Spoford could not have
been declared distanced. In the Ameri-
can racing rules in force on and after Jan
uary l, 1885, rule 81 says: "In the d.
Gliding heat OF race there shall be no dis
tance." The declaration does not there
fore justly bar Judge Spotord from third
money in the race.
The rules on decorum 40 and As section
| makes Mr.. A. A. Hanley, OF Pt. Pleas
ant, sheriff OF Mason county, W. Va,
guilty OF foul for which he may be fined
500, in endeavoring to run across the
track in front OF the leading horse, who
was followed by Judge Spofiord at dis
lance Of not exceeding twenty feet, and
within nine feet Of the inside fence and
twenty feet after crossing the score, be was
interiered with by said sheriff in his
course, throwing said sheriff forwards and
across the track, the horse then jumping
over eald sheriff, but in alighting wrench.
ed two plates nearly off his feet, and by
the severe shock was injured then and
now shows evidence OF injury.
Respectfully. OBSERVER.
WhEEling, October o.