St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-05
A LETTER FROM "MAC."
He Gives His Opinion on Horses,
Horse Racing, Morals and Gam

He Gives His Opinion on Horses,
Horse Racing, Morals and Gam
bling.
To the Editor of the Globe.
Having received the following COM
munication from valued friend and
being asked to reply in the GLOBE, l
cheerfully do so. Here 1t is: ''My Dear
Mac: Do me the kindness to answer
the following questions in the GLOBE:
First, do YOU not think that betting on
horse race or buying pools on race is
confessedly opposed to the interests of
morality? Second, do you not think
horse racing, as now conducted, an in
stitution of gamblingT'
Now, Mr.. Editor, why these questions
were fired at me is past my comprehen-
sion, as am not an owner or driver of
an officer of the Twin City Driving
club or the State Agricultural society.
l am simply lover of the horse, or, in
fact, any well-bred animal. Now l
would have rather far that he had
drawn on Secretary Hoard, as he would
have been the proper one to call Oh for
the desired information, but as he has
loaded his gun aud fired at me, will
do the agreeable, trusting that no Of
Tense will be taken at any reply | may
make, as shall give my opinion only.
To the first question answer no. Con-
sidered in itself it is fair and just. If
you win wager, has not the losing
party consented to give you chance of
winning? Now, if gambling is wrong,
the greater part of all business opera
tions are wrong, for they certainly in
volve the element of risk. You may
call it immoral in itself, but would not
this appear as absurd as to call blasting
powder, keys and lanterns immoral SIM
ply because robbers use them. Now,
legitimate transaction or speculation, as
you may term it. Do you not purchase
lots in ST. Paul. Minneapolis or Duluth
and hold them in the hope of realizing
large advance upon the purchase price.
Now, suppose my friend buys ticket
for Chicago or any other city, and the
polite ticket agent says: "Do you
not want to invest in an acct
dent policy. 1t will give you
a policy for $1,000 for forty-eight hours
for so cents or 81 whatever it might beg.
This will insure you against accident
to the end of your Journey" My friend
buys the ticket, the journey is taken
and no accident. Now this is just what
the company bet large odds on, and the
company has won; now is this business
opposed to the interests OF morality? Is
there any highly moral man that objects
to this species of gambling? Now [
might
GO ON AND CITE OTHER
kinds of transactions that would show
the same chances run on investment.
and it my friend does not consider this
fp
As to his last question. / will answer
by asking him one. Do you and others
that cry out against horse racing attend
the race-meetings. Would it not be
better for those that are fond of good
horse race, one driven on its merits, to
go to the course and by word and exam
pie check the growth of gambling on
pools. Prove your faith by meeting the
tempter and resisting him. All public
assemblages are colored more or less by
the actions of those in them and who
at uthe same time are leaders of
society, and right here / may add that
the more church members there are in
the grand stand the better. Ii they will
only live up to their profession their
numbers and example will have a
wholesome effect. Pool selling will
then be secondary consideration. The
buTl uUtS lOU cAlSJ SIMPLY duQ SOltly lOI
the benefit of the gamblers. But be-
hind this speculation great problems are
worked out which benefit all commu-
mites and add to the fame and wealth
of the country. The breeding problem
is worked out when we test the rival
strains of blood in the race horse or the
trottel, and thus gain that knowledge
which enables us to carry out the wise
provision of nature which points to the
survival of the tittiSt. AS all of our i'm
proved breeds are subject to the stern
law of ataviSm, we cannot preserve the
type, much less advance it, unless we
fix upon some plan Tor the determina-
ton of the strongest and SOundeSt Sires
and dams. All must admit that the
trotting horse, above all others, is the
best for general purpeses-the road, the
business wagon, the track, the farm,
the park or anything else. because he is
the best bred, the smoothest and fastest
gOer, the pleaSantest driver, the best
locker. and for everyday and every-way
use he far surpasses every other horse.
Now, a fast horse can go slow, but a
slow horse cannot go fast! Wisdom
says: "Choose the horse of the great
est capabilities for all work." and l
might add you will surely prefer trot-
ter to all others. MAC.