New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-17
A POPULAR THURMAN.
SOMETHING ABOUT ALFRED IIENNEN NOR
RIS AND HIS METHODS.
HOW HIS FATHER WAS INDUCED TO GO ON THE
TURF AND WHY HE FOLLOWED HIM

When Francis Morris died in SS6 il seemed
probable that the old Barbarity scarlet would
never again be seen on the turf. For nearly
twenty years his son, John A. Morris. who had
become identified with other great enterprises
took only passing interest in racing, and had no
thought of continuing the stables that had won
fame and honors on both sides of the Atlantic
lie was rich When his father was making MS
will he said TO him:
Don't leave lie anything, but give all " IL.
sisters have enough.
There were two sisters. and IN ac-
cordance with his wishes all 'ie
property was left to them including few young
horses almost ready TO race, and NUMBER oi iasn
ionaby bred brood mares in foal 10 eNian'e
the value of this small stud, the sisters preNaii'u
on the brother 10 develop the youngsters al"
race them One Of them proved TO De sprih'ei
Of SURPRISING speed. lie made record AFTER record
and overthrow, time and again, the chahpiohS Vi
the turf till finally all acknowledged MS superior
ity His name Britannia. lie was as piio
as a coal. and built on beautiful lines. lie niicu
the eve of John A. Morris completely, as JIG
did that of the public, and his numerous
successes in the scarlet of the famous barodIl'S
stable welded Mr.. Morris once more 10 the 'uIi'
lie decided TO turn his attention 10 racing, anu
soon started in on a magnificent scale. Wyndham
Walden
cave him carte blanche to buy whatever seemed
worthy of place in the largest racing s'""ic
ever known in the United States. Hundreds OF
.housarde Of dollars were invested in string
@bst far outnumbered any other on the turf, ana
,be firm of J. A. & A. II. Morris was rewarded
with many a fat stake and many glorious
victory. Father and son have had as many DIS
sixty horses in training at one time Inc ca
Denses of such stable are enormous Dut they
did not 90 on the turf TO make money AneS
raced solely for pleasure. If they ever bet IL was
a 81 note Just to increase their interest III u
race. ri, ,,.
Jerome Park was near its downfall The public
had crown weary of the old saddle-paSs track IN
The hollow of the Fordham Hills, and the managers
were arrayed against each other In DatIle uflt
threatened to destroy the historic American Jockey
Club About this time the Aqueduct Commission
decided TO take the grounds Tor reservoir an"
Jeoparl Jerome began TO look about for another
nome for the club with which he had been identi-
fed for twenty wears By chance he met John a.
Morris A long talk followed, and the end OF II
oil WAS that Mr. Morris agreed TO build new
track. form a new Jockey club. and absorb the ola
organization He was helped to this decision oy
his desire TO restore the health OF his son, Alleu
Hennen Morris, whose close application 10 Ills
studies at Harvard had seriously anected not
robnst constitution Young Mr.. Morris was
graduated with honors and took postgraduate
course. He intended to be a lawyer but falling
health and the magnificent Morris Park race-coursc
turned hin in another direction. lie entered INTO
all his fathers plans with VIII, assumed ACTIVE
control Of the track and stable, ana was soon d
we'll man His hand is detected in all the reforms
that have had their origin at Morris ParK Dill
rent application to business of which he was as
chi has q
most racing men in the United States He has In
formed himself on all matters that pertain to the
turf and now, after few years of experience If
able to inform others. Always modest and reur-
ing he never assumes to be authority but his
knowledge of racing is broad and deep enough TO
place him in the front rank Of t1rfmen.
He is withal man of ideas If he has theories,
he seeks to sustain them by Judgment that
has been pronounced sound If you do not
agree with him, he will argue the case 40
clearly so plausiby as to gain your APP
proval. What he does is according to his best
belief right. He is still young, being only
twenty-seven, but has the manner and force Of
man of forty. The conduct of great enterprises
brings man quickly to maturity, and sometimes
cnlarges the view of his forehead. II must be
confessed that Hennen Morris's forehead is drift
ing backward with startling rapidity. lie Is
married and is the father Of one child. His lgure
is slight and graceful. his features are clear cut
bold and striking, his dark eye can flash like
calcium light and on his face there Is not the
faintest suggestion of a hair. Political honors
nave recently been conferred on him, and
he is now known as Supervisor Morris. Ills
friends fear that he has undertaken TOO much, Out
he declares that neither Westminster County nor
Morris Park shall suffer for lack of attention.
"Papao Nelson and James Villipigue watch over
ola
Kirk ways his iron gray locks and growls
sThat young man is working himself to death"
Mr. Morris is on the point Of organizing raft
road companv to he known as the Morris Park ami
Toboaean Slide Railway Association. The caEf al
stock is 10 be $2,00O,O00, at ODDS OF Az
TO /. No bonds will be issued. He will
elect himself president, new starter Of
racehorses secretary, and newspaper man
treasurer The line OF road extends from the
south side OF the judges box to the northern
most extremity of the inclosure in which 1t sits
Transportation will be by nand Simmons and
Mcdowell will do the riding. Trains will make
about two round trips day during the racing
season.
Some of Mr.. Morris's critics do not agree with
his ideas as TO the distribution of the added
money 10 stakes handlcaps etc. Dut ne answers
them by saying
at is our purpose to take care Of the horse
owners; TO divide the money among them as
equally as possible that all may receive
share We thinl: it better that two men should
have $4,000 each than that one should have
$4,000. When great sums are given away in
a few important stakes the value of the unim-
portant ones is Of necessity largely reduced We
want to make every stake, handicap and
purse worth winning. The total amount of
our added money has not been lessened We have
simply made it go further by spreading it over
more ground.
1t has been my purpose to give every owner
who starts horse in a race 40 to | chance.
In some of our stakes he has odds of 60 TO
In his favor but the average is about 40 to l.