Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-07
TROTTING TOPICS.
The Ethiopian In the Gray Pool
niIi WOOipiIe.

4 New York dispatch 10 the Philade'-
pha Press says: After four months OF
anxiety the outlook for the turf In this
state is very little brighter than when 1t
was definitely known that the new Con-
stitution with its ant-betting clause had
been adopted. The cloud OF technical OBJ
jections 10 tn manner OF holding the
election has been swept away by eminent
lawyers who have no personal feeling
against racing, but declare in unmistak-
able terms that poo-selling and book
making are now under a legal ban which
cannot b. removed for the next twenty
years Furthermore, the repeal of the
Ives law. under which speculation had
fiourishel for eight years, became in
cumbont on the Legislature now in SEES
sion at Albany. Unless a new statute
was framed AT the same time, the old
one. which made racing for a money con-
sideration misdemeanor. would come
into effect. The harness racing contingent
was by no means alarmed over this pros
pect since the sulkies had never been Sc
riously interfcred with prior 10 the indui-
gent pool bill. Their meetings occupied
only a few days. and continued TO be so
popular with the masses that the most
rabid reformer was unable 10 stir up
enough sentiment TO compel a strict en-
f0rcsment OF the law by the local an
thoritles
With the running track matters are
very different, for each or Of them in
the metropolitan district wanted all the
time possible. and even the thirty days
allowed by the Ives law was not con-
sldered too much. II was generally under
stood, therefore that the jockey clubs
were most solicitous about the introduc-
ton OF a measure which would conform
with the spirit and letter Of the new
Constitution. OF the several bills present
al during the past month every one
breath.s friendly spirit to the running
interest and incidentally permits trottinS
under the same provisions as those pro-
posed for the government Of The gallopers
when it was finally agreed to let the
bin presented by Assemblyman Gray re-
present the wishes of the turfmen. the
trotting-horsemen began to Investigate
more closely They found that the cor
poration known as the Jockey club was
recognized a. the supreme power IN the
granting Of certincates for running races,
and there Was no mention or provision
for a similar body to decide what tracks
should be permitted 10 carry on harness.
racing.
This created the suspicion that the
Jockey Club was endeayOring to get con-
troll % both classes Of racing. and was so
associations that the bill wouli probably
have been killed In committee. Seeing
this danger the magnates OF the running
interest fastened 10 call on such trottlnS
TURTLES IN this city as they could reach
quickly, and to them was suggested the
formation OF a body something Ike the
Jockey club.
There were some secret conferences ana
A f-w managers OF tracks In the larger
cites, such as Buffalo Rochester ana
Albany were communicated WIN IN strict
confidence 10 unite ia an organization 10
control trotting affairs. In spite Of the
precautions. the facts leaked out, ana
when the move ment took shape at meet
ing last Tuesday evening. ii was found
that the star-chambsr feature could not
be maintained Articles of Incorporation
had beer drawn up for A state Irottihs
Board, but the real purpose OF us eN-
istence was concealed under The old pre-
text OF the Ives bill. which claimed as rs
ooject Improvement in he bTesdihs Vi
horses"
The ostensible reason for this state
Trotting Board. as st forth IN the dp-
DlicatiOn for a charter IL as follows
THE particular objects and purposes OF
said corporation are the investisatins'
ascertaining. and keeping record OF the
pedigrees Of horses. and OF institatins,
maintaining controlling, and puDlishihs
= stud-book or book of registry OF horses
in the United States OF America anu
Canada. and the promoting and hoiains
exhibitions OF said horses, ana geneFaily
for the purpose OF improving the pEeed
thereof"
Outside OF the clique. which seems 70
be doing the will OF the Jockey CUB;
there is not likely 10 be any support OF
this movement. Harness racing mas
fiourished under the management Oh
the National Trotting Association whHh
was formed in 1870 10 protect the spor.
against the horde of freebooters thal
threa tened TO destroy IL. The American
Trotting Association originally COM
posed OF tracks which Seeded from Tue
national association. has grown 10 De
powerful rival OF the parent organization,
but the latter controls all the driwng
parks in this State. 1t would probably De
quite agreeable IL the proposed STATE
Board was formed under the auspices OF
the national association so that the
smaller tracks could have representation
as well as the larger ones. Even theh
there would always be danger OF an abuse