The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-02

The substitution Of electric cars and BIZ
cycles for horses has within the past
year had such a depressing effect upon
the value of horses that the abandonment
OF the horse. except as an object of lux
ury. has been predicted. and the owners
Of horses were almost bewildered by the
collapse In the price Of their horse
flesh
The determination OF many breeders
not to continue their business, and the
general diminuticn of breeding horses.
has already caused a sort Of reaction,
and we now begin to hear something
more said in favor Of horses than a short
time back. A writer in the New York
san gives the following views OF Captain
Wallace Croker on the horse question
from the standpoint of a cavalryman.
Strange as it may appear I'm this day
or bicycles and electric and cable cars,
ahd the consequent cheapcning Of horse
nesh IN every part of the Union, there Is
more dlflcuity In procuring suitable re-
mounts for the cavalry service now than
at any time since the war. and this Zoo.
IN Inc face OF the fact that the govern
ment pays good price for hOrsefesb
Last year and the year before when tens
manded for street-cars end the saddle re-
manned uncalled for throughout the United
states, the new mounts for the cavalry
cost the same as in the previous ten
years. From 1868 until about 1883 thou
sands Of horses were brought 10 us Tor
purchase that more than filled the re-
qulrements. The reason was that the
demands Of the war had shown morse
breeders in Missouri, Kentucky Illinois
ard other big breeding sections or
the country the kind OF animal needed
for army use, and the good, fat pric
PAID for such hOrsc-fesh stimulated ac-
iivty in the raising Of cavalry horses.
Then cane the days Of fabulous sums FOR
crack trOttcrs and runners, and the TAD
for immense draught horses for show
purposes among brewers and wholesale
grOcers in the cities. II was natural that
hOrse-breeders should turn their attention
to winning some Of the prizes In the
trotting and draught-horse markets. ard
give up the less attractive and interesting
occupation Of raising horses for Uncle
Sa'13 uses.
I'VE find the best horses now for caval-
~ service I'm Kentucky and California. IL
is hard to say which state furnishes the
army with the more animals we nave
harder searching than ever for proper
horses. 1t IS difficult 90 choose morse
between the We dy, delicate racer INA,
Is lust right for a mile dash, but that
would freak down completely IN ioIceu
march Of two or three days across
rough country. and a heavy. strong AMI
NAL that can pull a great weight hut IS
too clumsy and slow for a cavalry uasH
or rapid march. -
I'm Indian warfare the cavalry IS SIM
NV INDISPENSABLE ! have had something
10 do in Indian campaigns from tHe ~
Grande to the British line. ana nave
never seen time when strong VIZ
drilled cavalry was not constantly n'ces
sarv The redskins never attempt our
RACES near an army post. ana lhey az
wavs plan TO escape on thelr horses iH'-
mediately after the raid.
so II seems that whatever may be said
OF the merits of the bicycle, It is hardly
useful in Indian warfare
We do not believe tht the bicycle Is
mere fad that will play out II has
come 10 stay, It will not. however, take
the place Of horses and vehicles for IN
Vulnerable services for which horses ana
vehicles must now be had. The matter
will finally adjust itself. and the hire
5aid for a comfortable carriage which is
only used rarely. will be that much more
th,n would be charged If it were ire
quently in service.
A real danger to the horse will come
from the "horseless" carriages which
are now being developed in Europe.
With very good roads and mechanical
carriage propelled by naptha or stored
electricity the uses for the horse in ana
around cities would be much diminished
but that day has not yet dawned here'