New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-25
TILE TrRF " TIE ENPIRE ST4TE.

Tho poolroom enemies OF honest racing who
atternptpd by a cousivc scheme 10 obtain de-
cjsion against the cOnsilutiOnaty Of the act
by which the turf in this State IS now governed
and regulated have been foilcd in their plans
Their sophlstres and trickeries succeeded for
4 time in giving trouble ana annoyance 10 the
representatives Of legitimate sport. but II has
now been proved beyond dispute that the Flush
ing affair was bogus device. and the mon who
have been pressing II have retired from the field
in confusion. The outlook for more acceptaDle
racing in the Empire State in lS'6 than mas
ever been known In this part of the country Is
now promising The Jockey Club seems to be
in the right hands. and this may be said also
Of the State Racing Commission Both bodies
intend 10 have II settled at an early day whether
anv cloud can be east upon the constituionality
of tho percvGrav act. under which the sport
has been conducted this year. Many OF The
oblest lawyers in the State hold the view that
the act is constitutional. and that the incoming
Legislature Is not likely TO Interfere with the
present condition Of affairs. No one who Is
familiar with racing doubts that improvements
have been made. that gains OF value have been
secured. and that If there Is no Interference from
tho conr,s or from the Legislature, az there Is
NOT likely 10 be- the contests of the thorougnbreds
in 1896 will be Of exceptional interest and pop
ularity.
better spirit and better standards have been
observed in 1895 than in previous seasons. Inc
trlcksters and thieves have been compelled TO
admit that their opportunities for deception and
vrongdoinc have been limited and restricted TO
a greater extent than in previous years. or
lul, 1cpOmDiSl
thing at once; but 1t has already done much to
lessen the reproaches which have been heaped
mon the turf and II has determined that the
snort next year shall be cleansed from injurious
influences. so far as it is practicable TO cleanse
If. Every supporter Of fair and upright racing
is clad TO acknowledge that the prevailing spirit
in the Jockey Club and in the state Racing COM
mission appears to be one of desire for the pro
motion Of genuine sport and for the suppression
of abuses ard evils Americans generally are
beginning 10 understand that a great deal mas
been gained on the turf of the Empire State
this year and to anticipate further progress
next season INSCRIPTIONS owners. trainers
and Jockeys have been kept In check, at least
to n considerable degree. at the meetings which
have been held in this part Of the country since
the middle of last May. More rigorous limita-
tons are likely 10 be applied next year to the
nen and boys who seek to obtain unfair ana
Improper advantages. The action taken by the
FACING authorities in the case Of the Santa ANITA
Stable whose practices had called out severe
ccnsnre on all sides. was sound ana )ndlcionS'
The radical step adopted in that case VIII prop
ably act as potent warning to owners, trainers
and Jockeys who lave shown little conscience
or selfrespect in the past When so celebrated
so rich and 80 powerful stable as that of f. D.
Baldwin was brought up with round TURN,
ownc-s. trainers and jockeys generally Were i'm
pressed with the conviction that honesty might
hereafter prove 10 be the best policy on the
turf even if It had not been in all cases the most
lucrative policy in preceding seasons. Certain
trainers and Jockeys who have pursued devious
paths NAV sigh In vain for licenses next year.
and NAV be compelled 10 transfer the scenes Of
their nefarious activities 10 places distant from
this metropolis.
1t is ardenty 10 he hoped that the Jockey club
next season will see To il that all The turf or
canizations give fewer short dashes and great
er proportion Of long races, and that the scale
Of weights shall be raised. The number Of con
temp,iblc short Scrambes has been far too great
on the American turf and the proportion of
prizes offered Tor lWONeir OluS HIS uttH u'-
ploraby excessive Twoyear-od racing has
been carried on to most damaging excess. The
Youngsters Of the stables should not be forced
TO efforts in their infancy which cannot fail to
prove injurious. Americans want more long
races and they want Il higher scale Of weights.
so that Jockeys of the finest skill and most eX-
iensive experience may get more mounts There
have been altogether too many sprnis, III which
the half formed babies Of the turf have been rid
den by feather weight stable boys. weighing only
90 pounds or thcrclbOufs. Great numbers or
contests between twO-yearOlls ridden by i'll
competent jockeys disgrace and dishonor the
turf The Jockey Club ought TO take radical
measures TO diminish The excess Of twO-year-old
racing, to give longer races which test the
endurance and the highest powers and qualities
Of thoroughbreds as well rs their sprinting ca
pacty and the scale Of weights should be raised
TO the English standards When these changes
are made and the reforms and Improvements
which have already been begun are carried out
with such energy and thoroughneSs that all the
rascalS shall be driven away from the Eastern
tracks. then racing will attain a popularity and
success in the Empire State far greater than
even in the best days Of the past