New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-15
THE DECLINE OF RACING.
DEPLORABLE RESULTS OF UNwIsE AND
VICIOUS METHODS.
SENDING THE JOCKEY CLUBS DowN.BrII-
PANDENNG TO THE BETTING RING
TOO MUCH OF THE LOTTERY ELE.


PANDEMNG TO THE BETTING RING
TOO MUCH OF THE LOTTERY ELE-
MENT ON THE TURF
The conviction is gaining ground constantly
throughout the Eastern States that such methods
as those practised at Monmouth Park are rapidly
running the turf. In earlier days. before any rae
ing association was reckless and INSCRIPTIONS
as to rule off newspaper writers for telling the
truth about racing, the jockey clubs sought to de-
yeop and elevate the sport, and did not seek
the racecourses chiefly as instruments for the pro-
motion Of gambling. In those days the betting ring
did not overshadow everything else connected with
the turf. 1t has been doing at Monmouth Park
this summer. In those days men of substance men
of influence and Of reasonable self-respect
were at the head of affairs. At that time the
officers Of the jockey clubs would never have
thought Of covering themselves with the contempt
of all decent people the Executive Committee of
Monmouth Park has done by ruling off frank and
candid turf-writers. who gave the public accurate
information about the trickery and fraud on the
racetracks. At that time the Louisiana Lottery ele-
ment, with it's daily policy attachment, was not all
powerful upon the turf. The beginning of this
shameless and constituencies Louisiana Lottery era
in racing affairs marked the sapping Of the very
foundations of the prosperity of the turf. And
matters are going from bad TO worse daily.
THE HERALD's JUDGMENT ON RACING.
Just and forcble article the present condition of
racing in this country. This article introduced
by these headlines:
"RACINGS FALL IN POPULAR FAVOR"
SUBSEQUENT TO GAMBLING AND GATE RE-
CEIPTs. THE SPORT LOSES ITS AT
TRACTION"
THE Herald's' article in full is follows:
A question arises, Whittier is racing drftngl What
will Its ultimate fsel Is its destiny the base
and trotng Is it to shrink into insignlhcance to
struggle in the future under the baDe OF public In
difference or has 1t power survive its present
decnaton and in the end become firmly established
popularity than the three four years ago
This Is what has been occupying the mind of the East
ern turf world months past. and this Is what
those its interests at heart will have to wreste
with time 20 come.
offered varied as the excuses urged
are deusve. Neither the structure of the market
nor the lack material the effect They are
side issues coinciden with the actual evil. which is no
than that the sport has become subservent
to gambling instead Of the latter being secondary con-
sidcration.
The element Of gambling and the needless policy OF
permitting it TO become drags anything and
any unenviabe tainted and unhealthy association
1t has brought many legitimate sports into such dsrepue
that with any regard for his good name "oulu
have aught TO do with them
Racing has been gradually gliding toward the shoals
and rocks which must arise when gambling Is deemed
necessity-when bookmakers granted every consd-
Grafton and protection
And this is the to-day.
The first thing racetrack magnate turns TO Is the
betting ring is his greatest source OF revenue IL Is
the basis which he directs his operations
There is sentiment in his proceedings He is run
ming he show' strictly business principles and every
thing likely the credit balance drained
to the last cent
SENTIMENT IN RACING LACKING.
Sympathy with the sport, Unsuitable appetite TO
witness exciting struggles and eager desire to advance
the excellence thoroughbred are lacking unless
good dividend is in perspective Then and not I'LL then
do majority of proprieors and stockholders ex
hbit in what really constitutes the alpha ana
omega Of q healthy. noble pastime
this tooevident too-apparent anxiety TO fill the
Golfers chiefly from the sums levied on bookmakers that
has weakened public interest.
IS in fact the undisgused allegiance to gambling
that has weakened popular support and has crippled
temporarily 1t is be hopedthe grandeur OF the sport
In addition 10 the prominence which has been rendered
OF late gambling different raceack associations in
with the of ventures three or four years
ago. have extended the number OF racing days until he
horseovng public has been asked TO devote its entire
attention the Day and day out. hail. rain
shine seet the public in the vicinity OF New
York has been expected patonize the tracks and their
patrons bookmakers. The result has been that the
public appetite has become satiat, coyed and gutt'd
This strain has become too great and racetraks are now
feeling tn. effects.
This was emphatlcaly demonstrated last week. when the
Coney Island Brooklyn and New-York jockey clubs an
nounced the purses the fall meetings won1 be Oh
graduating scale. the minimum icing 500 inst al OF
81 600 This OF course will curtail expenses though
it fail to Increase popular interest Nor Will The latter
lie attained until che public is asked to devote less time
at the tracks and until the close Tie between the book
makers and the executive is rent asunder
EXTEND THE PERSONNEL OF TIE BOARD.
Furthermore step which would not only increase con
sincerity Of those who provide racing bdt
would establish feeling between owners ana
trainers racing associations, would be 10 eNeu IN
,rsonnel of the Board OF Control A. i: is constituted
al present it Is merely directorate of those who are p
cunaIily Interested in the four big tracks i7 es''a
Ton no mattr how eager it may be TO he Impartial Is
hound TO tend preservation and become absorbed III
interest whereas If the OF it, members were
increased additional number were selected nom
owners entirely untrsmm lied by dividends ana pot ana
loss account, the power wlelde1 woulu assume i'' o
democratic appearance.
Under its present constitution this would be impract'
coble but were the Board inclined all obstacles could
lie removed and thereby evident desire to further The
interests OF racing would become indisputable
The reduction purses and gradnatons OF their Naue
.,houyh solely prompted by decline In the popularity oil
the sport is policy which should have been In vogue
from the outset The system OF giving the same amount
To mediocre selling and handicap containing some
Of the best performers in the country was 10 say he
least unbalanced and nequabe.
And now IL the three associations which have adopted
the reduction frame their purses that common ses
,,,er will be con 5000 purses while good sahd
cap horse that can go distance VIII be aoe 70
win a. 600 then indeed the contemplated shrnkage In the
,un ,aceints will have had a beneficial effect
Racing has no enthusiastic supporter tsah lhe
Herad and for this reason IL wishes TO see the Dig
,,.cts naeed OH such a basis that genuine effort TO
elevate the sport shall gradually crush the present power
., the unhealthy element OF the betting ring.
THE OPINION OF THE MORNING ADVERTISER.
The views OF THE Morning Advertiser on this
subject are expressed in the headline, why the
Sport of Kings Has Become the Business OF
Rings" and in the following article written by
the well-known sporting writer. Macon Mccormack
Western iconoclast who has had good deal to do
with sporting men Of high and low degree In his tune
s.,o o., mo the otbe. day: wolves and hogs amt III IL
for greed with the ordinary sporting man. seldom
know them 70 have good thing yet that they didh I