The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-12-05
CSARsAoNr. l Dec, 81.

To the Editor Of the Nsa0s and Courier:
AS I received my very first write up 10
the pubic prints in your valuable Journal OF
Yesterday, beg that you will give me orlef
space for reply to Mr. Henry Tupper's
card. Truly there are ''two sides to ques-
ton" In the first place, the card 49, great
surprise 10 me as gave out no official inter-
view. but am glad to say that, in. the main.
The Item quotes me correctly.
1t is a matter of no surprise to me that
Mr.. Topper cbsfes under just criticism, and
it is positively amusing that after 80 lengthy
an explanation be fails utterly to explain,
aud quietly ignores the real matter at issue,
to wit, why was The unprecedented action OF
the committee taken to close purse races,
more commonly known as overnight events,
on Tuesday for Thursdays and Fri
davis races7 Did not such action
upon the part of the committee shut
off all serious competition and virtually
presented the funds offered by the Gala Week
committee to the great local race man
Gazette Mr Tupper and Others OF his CON-
mittee admitted to me their utter ignorance
of racing. law, but at the same time re.
fused as an executive committee, win 'ul,
mowers to act under wise discretion vested
in every such committee, TO right 80 nagrant
mistake. Mr. Upper further fails TO ex-
plain that ms entry was refused upon bare
,ecbnicality, as my horse was shlppeo 20
Capt. Roche, Charleston man, and feacnea
his premises, with Instructions TO MAKE
entries, on Tuesday at ten o'clock a. m, OF
the Goth.
Capt. Roche explains that by the merest
accident be offered my entry at tour CLOCK.
He was wired by Mr.. Tupper that he was one
hour late. Capt. Roche further states ~
copiuoc.ion with MIR. Jas. McAlister, OF the
racing committee-mind you, the latter OF
Mr.. Tupper's committee-that neltner OF
them thought of the entries closing before
Wednesday night, as usual for Ihursdays s
races. Again Mr. Tupper claims that his
races were we'll advertised and posters seat
out. Pray where were these posters seut
At Columbia the week before all or the
race horses within striking distance OF
Charleston, were congregated, as Mr. Iuppet 5
committee must have known, and IN valn
did these owners try to fad out something
of the Charleston races. Indeed they had
Mr.. Kohn, of the Neacs and Courier, 10 wire
his paper on two occasions for information;
but not one word did we get in reply Most
of US being out of reach of that fatal Sunday
issue. OF course II is TO argue ones-self un-
known. not to know OF Mr.. Tupper's COM
mi,,ee; however, facts are facts, and re-
mained in dense ignorance one hour 100 ia'e
for competition.
Sir. Tupper argues, in conclusion, that to
open the entries after closing woulo nave
been an injustice to other owners. ADMIT
that if TO 20 out in fair aud open competition
with other horses, means an injustice TO local
owners, then great wrong would have
been wrought. AS to the troulng' morse
owners from Savannah and Marion, MIR. Tup-.
per again clips, as it is easily susceptible OF
proof that this particular class OF entries
under their rules are ofteD made in tnls way.
Now, Mr.. Editor, in conclusion, this 'un-
grateful" man must plead not guilty; TOR IN
all fairness, Mr. Tupper might have SAID tnat
the magnificent "purse of forty dollars, so
mapnaninously donated by his august COM
mitiee TO defray the expenses of TWO racing
stables 10 and from Charleston, up to this
writing, has not been paid. By this latter
statement / do not mean to insinuate Dad
faith upon the part of the committee. Indeed
7 exceedingly regret that this committee OF
business men and gentlemen should haSe
placed themselves in this awkward predica-
ment and failed to eXtricate themselves at au
opportune time
By publishing this communication you Will
put me under many obligations, and, also,
under promise, for in no event will further
trespass upon your valuable space, ic this
matter.
W. l.. SAUNDERS.