, 1888-07-31
AN HONEST MPl
Lawrence L. Myers Gives Some interest
Ing Australian News.

ing AUSTRALIAN News.
Lawrence E. Myers, the great American
s~printer, has been for some time In the anti
podes, but is due in New York in a few days.
Larry is one Of the most popular athletes
in America, having earned his popularity by
his wonderful performances on the cinder
path, where he has upheld the glory of
American athletics against all corners, by
his gentlemanly conduct and his honorable
methods. He will be even more pop
ular than ever now when it becomes
known that he has steadfastly refused
many opportunities to do crooked work
and make big money, and has beaten all
the crack runners of Australia at various
handicaps. In a letter dated at Liverpool,
N. S. W., to a friend in England, Myers
gives some interesting information abou.
running in the antipodes, which VI repro-
duce from The Manchester Athletic Journal,
in which the letter was printed by Myers
friend:
1 eIpected to be home long ere this, but the
temptation to stay out here has been great,
t. e., in the way Of foot racing events. ] am,
as you must know, a big loser, so am trying
to win a handicap. won a quarter handi-
cap, but the event was run off just before
Melbourne cup time, and there was little or
no betting, so 1 only won about ESQ over it.
There are some splendid runners out here.
Amateurism is hardly known, and true
amateurism doesn't exist in any branch of
sport
The nearest man to me is the black fellow,
Samuels, who gets five yards. l have COM
peted in five quarter miles, of which / have
won one from four yards in a trot in 49s. on
a very, very bad track; won my heat from
scratch in another easily in 49s, and was
beaten by six yards in the final in At 1-5s.
In the next l was run out in my heat by the
uba rot oarnnI Rrnp, NbErtr ,,ard,N
doing my full quarter in 4Sks. around nine
men, and Jumping clean over the PROSTATE
body of the favorite for the division, who
had fallen at the home turn.
The fact of the matter is that / am so han
dicapped that l have not the heart to train.
Think of AZ Is, AT 25, Al is, AZ 7-10s. being
hung out for these races. Even timers get,
or have been getting, from 10 to %, and even
30 yards from me. l think, fit and well, / can
do certainly, beyond the least doubt, 47Ls.,
but not around nine and ten men, some OF
whom take the trouble to get In my way.
But II / have reason to be proud of my quar-
ter running, and you know 1 am, l have
more reason to point with pride to my sprint
performances. | am running faster than
ever.
You wouldn't believe the number of run
ners there are here; 872 nominated for the
present handicap, and there are in New South
Wales at least 1900 men in active training.
Every one runs-lawyers' clerks, dry goods
men, store keepers, etc. Many of the men
are in fair positions.
The people are mad over sprint running;
but distance running-in fact, anything
above a quarter-won't go down. They even
term 40 yards 'long distance"
They tell me l am too honest to make
money. / don't think SO; certainly / won't
rob. l could have made money by runninga
crooked" race, but I'd rather plod along in
poverty all my life than sell what little honor
and reputation | may have left. | don't
think I'll ever run again after l go home.