New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-13
REFORMS; ON THE TURF.
LESSONS or THE NEw-JERsEY ELECTION.
SOME THINGS WHICH SHOULD BE DONE AT ONCE
OPPORTUNITY OF THE COMFY
ISLAND JOCKEY CLUB

ISLAND JOCKEY CLUB.
In view of the general uprising in New-Jersey
.rainst the high-handed methods of the political
hosses who have debauched the greatest of sports
N further their interests. 1t is certain that the
citizens of New-Jersey will take of racing in
that State for years TO come 1t Is useless for the
nersons who have done much to bring racing
into djsrepute TO promise reform, that they
are In the hands of persons whom they have rdi-
culed and abused for years. 1t is too late as a
large majority OF the citizens OF the State have
determined to wipe out the entire crowd who have
d.fed every law Of decency written unwrten
for years.
sew its death-bow have as a heritage the memories
Of outraged decency, open defiance of the law and
the complete wreck of a great political party that
was used by its INSCRIPTIONS leaders to turn the
State over to horde of persons from the dives
and slums in every great city in the land.
A WARNING TO MEN IN THIS STATE.
Turfmen should take the lesson taught TO them
In New-Jersey as warning in this State. Meas
ures should be taken at once to strengthen the
weak places that are plainly discernible In the
structure of the sport. The men who are under
suspicion should be made to understand that their
presence is not desirable at the tracks. There
should be hesitation in letting persons who
violate the unwritten laws of racing know that
their methods will no longer be tolerated The
rules should be revised by persons who could
interpret them ntelligently when their labors were
ended.
The Coney Island Jockey Club is In a position
replace racing in the position it once held In the
estimation OF the public The Executive Com
mittee should act promptly so as to prepare the
racegoing public for the coming season The COM
mittee should not be hoodwinked into any agree
ment with other associations. In the past when
ever they affiliated with others. the experiment
invariably proved disastrous to the club AS an in
dependent association the Coney Island Jockey Club
do many things TO restore the confidence or
the public. Its situation is far better than any of
the rival clubs. There is ample time after the
days sport Is ended to visit Manhattan Beach,
where one may enjoy a sea bath. dine and listen to
choice selections OF popular music. There should
he no hesitation by the officials of the Coney
Island Jockey Club in claiming desirable dates
The leading turfmen all over the country
anxious to support the club. 1t is almost certain
that some of the officials of other clubs will buster
and rage for a few days. but their buster will
only be the surface, they aware that
the public are disguised with their methods. The
very best citizens would visit Sheepshead Bay
with their families during the summer months.
The men who at the head of affairs at the
track have the confidence of all classes. Race
soers know that their interests are sure to be
well served when placed in their hands. They
know that the stewards are not gamblers or in
terested in bookmaking. and that their sole desire
is to the patrons of the Sheepshead Bay
fraud. with the highest class of horses in the
country contestants.
The entire suspension of the free list is sure
TO improve the tone of the clubs patrons The
indscrimnate distribution of free badges did its
share to cause racing to fall into disrepute.
PROGRAMMES SHOULD BE CAREFULLY MADE Up.
In making up the programme for next years
meetings great should be exercised 50 that all
classes should be equality. The handioaps
should be carefully made In making the ailot-
ments for the nominations 10 handicaps the horses
alone should be Handicapped on each horses best
form 1t is wrong to take trainers or jockeys into
consideration when a handicap is made and it is
criminal consider the ownership of any canli-
date The fact that a horse which a
star has become bit lame or falls into the hands
OF somebody who makes a business of patching up
crpples should not have any weight with the
Handicapped. is the fact that high-cass crpples
whose proper place IS With the selling platers are
literally pitchforked into handicaps which causes
owners of high-cass horses like Salvador Tammany
or Lampghter to excaim that there is place
for aged horses the American turf.
Fairness to all should be the watchword for the
coming season. The turf is in too precarious q
condition at the present time to allow the whms
personal grievances of any of the back number
turfmen TO stand in the way of reform in every |
feature Of the sport The forfeit list Is another
great drawback to frst-class sport The list of |
delinquent and a detailed statement of the
page of any of the daily newspapers The sale |
Saturday night demonstrated the evil of for
feits. Turfmen who pay their turf obligations as
punctualy they pay their grocery bills sent con-
signments to the sale. The horses were soia with
out their forfeits. The owners who sold them are |
sure TO pay while other horses sold with for
feits against them which will never be collected. |
The Coney Island Jockey Club should make radi- |
cal change in the manner in which forfets accum- |
uate. The officials should enforce the forfeit |
rule it exists to-day make complete change |
in the rules which govern the forfeit list. There
stables this 1t is possible that large portion
Of the money will be collected The as
owners of horses which have won stakes u receive
0 Mho Wins s the great is eonu
ally ANNOYED from one season to another IN trying
10 collect from persons VINO 90 not Intend 10 pay
their obligations TO the turf
JOCKEYS TOO SHOULD RECEIVE ATTENTION.
The Jockeys are another OF torture to men
Of wealth VINO desire to go in for the turf. The
average American jockey is developed in dense ig
norance. He is insoient in superative degree, ana
swaggers around the track if he owned the uni
verse. There turf rules which are sacred
TO his jockeyshp. The average jockey looks upon
his employer with scorn. and frequently answers
his questions in an nsoent manner. He drives
roiter on the road and is frequenter Of resorts OF
doubtful character There is no official control over
him and he does as he pleases At The post ne
delays the start, and IL punished by the starter
his fine or suspension IL RENTED. |
some of the leading turfmen have been grossly |
nsuled by jockeys when they had Tho tenellty 10
question Them about a race. There has been Il
humber Of brawis in the jockeys room at me
different tracks without punishment being meteu |
out 10 the offenders There have been races in |
witch horses were pulled 50 plainly that hundreds
,f persons have shouted: See that Jockey pun mat
bofse,' The average jockey does not care for
criticism, he does no; care for the officials and has
not the slightest fear OF punishment Tor his mis-
jongs . ,,.. =. |
punish offenders G. Wood warned of. so was |
s -Ioates There is every reason 10 believe tlat
,nother of the leading English jockeys, who mas !
,tsnsSsd fortune of nearly sI,0DOOO3. will follow |
N .their wake when the English stewards hoid
II air annual meeting. The COney Isl land Jockey |
,lub can do much to keep the confidence OF me
,utic by adopting rules for the control OF me
ockevs who ride a. their meetings. Their duty 10
he ulblc and TO owners is 20 teach the swasger. |
lg insolent, and in many instances dshohrs.
octevs that there Is no place for them AT the |
s,eetincs of the Coney Island Jockey Club.
. BRILLIANT FUTURE FOR sHEEPsHEAD BAY.