The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-02-04
DRIVING AS AN ART.
A Horseman's Criticism of the Incompetent
Men who Handle Reins.

Men who Handle Reins.
'.Jump in here was the hearty greet
ing given from a light wagon by a re
porter's horse-deaiing friend as he pulled
up in Harlem lane. Jump in here and
III show you how fast Il horse can go
that's got record. The reporter took ii
seat in the top wagon, and the horse
. logged at comfortable gait up the
avenue.
I'm exercising this brute for Gus
TONER of mine who has gone abroad"
continued the horseman. ''He gave
rippin' price for him at some country
fair last summer because he had record
of $50 can't say he never trotted it,
but I'll bet or swear he's reformed or
thinks it wicked to 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
I don't know of any other line where
safety of life and limb is concerned that
allows the employment of so many mex
perienced, Incapable persons. You'll
see them at all times in the road and in
the streets in charge of public and pri-
vate turnouts, and it seems to be know
nothing. fear nothing.
Now look at this fancy affair along
side of us, said he, pointing to 4 light
stepping. nervous bay team before an
elegant carriage and driven by man
gorgeouSly clad in livery; .'dO you know
that money wouldn't hire me to ride in
a closed rig like that with such 4 driver9
too much style, too little sense. That
fellow has been told to sit up straight
and stiff so that his toggery can be seen,
and 10 initiate some foreign nonsense in
holding elbows close to his ribs and his
lines up near to his chin. He has the
reins in the one hand and the whip in
the other: now suppose one of them nice
horses should stumble or slip. he might
get a bad scratch or sprain, for there 5
no pull on him to recover his bit. Then
again. if Il spirited team like that should
take fright and want to run. what con-
trol over it has man in that position?
Why. before he could gather his lines
and get himself into shape. such 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 employ
ment OF our best families: they get good
paw, know their business. and are alloW-
ed lG manage it. The trouble with MANY
private drivers is that they have to put
up with low wages and perform mixed
duties at that First-c lass men will not
submit to such terms; tip-top American
drivers kick at wearing livery duds al
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 driver 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 go by. A gauge shows him the pres
sure of steam, an unusual sound in the
movement of machinery notifies him
that something must be examined OF
Corrected A horse needs comparatively
much careful watching as boat OF
/ )iler, and life is as sacred by the car
age load as by the boat load. As it is
Low. anybody, boy or man, can rattle
through the streets with a single ol
double team at the risk of making para
graphs for you chaps. Why. sir there
are hundreds of men driving horses every
IIN Ill tIllS CITY --Sttitt especially
who couldn't adjust double or single
harness in any emergency. You've
often noticed when horse has fallen
aud has to be unbuckled to rise or pull
the shafts out of his way. gOOd-natured
c.trtmen, bystanders, or policemen have
had to do the business. Speaking OI
harness, if had my way I'd have an
authorized harness inspection for al
,1f1hilT. Sa1.yina xUbnpa tho and faaI
are severe; much safety could be provid
ed for by such 4 system.
employers who lack horse know
ledge are often deceived by the drivers
who assume the qualifications. Here is
case: A nice old gentleman living
near me, who keeps a private coupe
and has a fairish lump of Il horse. stop
ped me the other day and called my at
fention TO his animal.
"My driver said he.says he's SPAWN
ed / looked at the beast and saw no
evidence Where is he spavined?'
asked of the driver In his foreleg,
said he, pointing with his whip. Well,
I Iexplained to tI0 old gentleman that
horses didn't get spawned in their fore
legs, and l didn' t embrace the opportun-
ity for a swap. So YOU see there's some
virtue in a horseman.
''How can a safe private driver be
selected? Well. city and western stage
drivers are a good line of men to draw
from; almost any of them with fair
reputation for sobriety would till the bill.
They are accustomed TO close and fast
Arriving and are familiar with all details
of harness and wagons in case anything
needs looking after
''Colored men? o, yes, there are lots
of good darkey drivers; they like horses
and horses take 10 them with fondEess.
Some of them are apt however, to de,
aight in show and will make a free-going
team do more work than 4 white man
will. Unless he's bossed pretty sharp
our colored brother will often use up q
good horse about as quick as-well
about as quick as lady driver will. y
A. T. Tribune.
Ella Wheeler-Wiic