The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1886-01-15
DRIVING AS AN ART.
A HoRsEMAN,S CRITICISM or. THE
MEN WHO HANDLE, RElNS.
Ana Imitation of Foreign Nonsense-Judg-
mento in Selecting Drivers-Harness
Should Be Inspected = Various
Points Worth Remembering.
New York Tribune.l

given from light wagon by reporters
horse-dealing friend as he pulled up in
Harlem lane. "Jump ia here and I'll show
you how fast horse can't go that's got q
big record'' The reporter took a seat in the
top wagon, and the horse logged at a COM
Portable gait up the avenue.
"I'm exercising this brute for customer
of mine who has gone abroad, continued
the horseman "He gave rippin' price for
him at some country fair last summer be-
cause he had a record of ESQ can't say
he never trotted it, but I'll bet or swear he's
reformed OF thinks it's wicked to do it
again.
The well filed thoroughfare caused the re-
porter. to remark that the business of driving
was enlarging yearly.
"That's So" said the horseman, land /
don't know of any other line where safety
of life and limb Is concerned that allows
the employment of SO 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.
soMF FOREIGN NONSENSE. =
snow look at this fancy affair alongside
of u.s." said he, pointing to alight-stepping
nervous bay team before an elegant carriage
dAA uI1NeA u Hl1l Cliiu LII
livery; ''do you know that money wouldn't
hire me to ride in g closed rig like that with
such drivers 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 to initiate some foreign nonsense
in holding elbows close TO his ribs and his
lines up near to his chin He!has the reins
in 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's
no pull on him to recover his bit. Then
again, if a spirited team like that
should take fright and want to rum what
control over it has a 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.
SIT 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 private drivers is that
they have to put up with low wages and
perform mixed duties at that First-ciass
men will not submit to SUCH terms; tip-top
American drivers kick at ivearing livery
duds at any price,
DRIVERS FITNESS.
"Driving ought to at least come under the
head of skilled labor; some of these DAYS I
believe you'll see a bureau established re-
quirisg an official test for 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 in
telligent but his charge allows him many
guides to go by. a gauge shows him the
pressure of steam, an unusual sound in the
movement of machinery notifies him that
something must be. examined or corrected.
A horse needs comparatively as much care
full 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 single
or double team at the risk of making para
graphs for you chaps
"Why, sir, there are hundreds of men
driving horses every day in this city-and
especially ON Sunday-who couldn't adjust
double or single harness in any emergency.
You've often noticed when horse has fallen
and has to be unhuckled tc loose oi. TO pull
men, 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 system.
POINTS WORTH REMEMBERING.
employers who lack horse sense are of.
ten deceived by the drivers who assume the
qualifications Here is u case: A nice old
gentleman living near lne, who keeps pri-
vate coupe and a fairish lump of a horse,
stopped me the other day and called my at
tention to the animal.
's'My driver said he says he's spav-
ined' I looked at the beast and saw no ev-
idence. Where is he spavineda / asked
of the driver I'm his foreleg. said he,
pointing with his whip Well I explained
TO the old gentleman that horses didn't get
spawned in the forclegs, and didn't en,-
brace the opportunity of a swap. So you
see there's some virtue in horsemans
'tHow can safe private driver be Sc
lected? Well, city and western stage drivers
are good line of men to draw from; al
most any of them with fair reputation for
sobriety would fill the bill. They are ac
customed to close and fast driving, and are
familiar with all details Of harness and
wagons in case nything needs looking
after.
'sColored men! Oh, yes, there are lots of
good darky drivers; they like horses, and
horses take to them with fondness Some
Of them are apt, however, to delight in show,
and will make free going team do more
work than 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 Il lady driver
will"