New-York tribune., 1896-08-31
MARCUS DALY'S VIEWS.
rsr SITUATION OF THE TURF AS HE
SEES 1T.


,.-,-pr-RF,FoRMs SUGGESTED BY HIM
,,. Dalv. who is widely known a
- business man and turfman. has been in
<o- several DAYS without regard to the
M wv s,orcial transactions in which Mr.. DAILY
~ len engaged pending and subsequent to
.ols of the late Senator Hearsts interest
10 uorld-famed Anaconda mine, Mr. DAILY
ass time for and enjoys healthful recreation
T., talking about and in visiting his racing sta
~,.s In chatting with Mr.. DAILY the other day
rrihune reporter asked him to state his views
% the situation of the turf in America Mr.
~.,v replied: IF you will meet me at the Hol-
,.nd House | will try to tell YOU my honest
,u,or about the racing situation as It appears
TO me-
BIG INTERESTS AT STAKE.
There are few men on the turf who have so
much AT stake in racing and the general pros
nerjtv Of the turf has Marcus DAILY He owns
a vast ranch in the Bitter Root Valley OF Mon
tana over whose broad acres the hlghest Grass
of thoroughbreds that money could puy III the
leading markets Of the world roam at Will Inc
breeding establishments Of England were
cleaned Of some of their brightest gems by
Marcus paly In this country several OF the
hest mares In Kentucky and Calfornla were
secured for the Montana ranch. Mr. Days ex-
nenditures 10 stock the Bitter Root Ranch, 10
erect the buildings and TO equip 1t with the
hest Of modern improvements were enormous
Hence anything that Marcus DAILY says
about the turf and the racing outlook renects
the experience Of a practical. hard-headed ousi-
ness man. as well as a progressive ana ener-
cetic turfman. whose racing interests go mana
IN hand with and depend wholly upon the
rrosneritv Of the turf Mr. DAILY gave his views
Of racing as follows:
eft is difficult to express individual opinions
about the turf and racing in general "ithou'
s,enn,ng on somebody's corns and hurting the
feelings of men whom you have not the RANT
est idea of rejecting upon when giving
statement Of your individual ideas. believe,
however that racing will eventually assume
its proper place among the sports OF this coun-
try. and that as large and fashionable assem-
bles as ever graced Ascot. Doncaster. Sandown
or Goodwood will meet upon American race
courses TO applaud the winners of great stakes.
7 wish 70 begin by stating that this country
is lahorine at present under what is known
as a moral wave, and that many people, with
the best Of intentions. spend a great deal OF
their time and. in some instances, their money
in efforts TO save Americans from eternal perdi-
ton. Many OF these people are sincere IN 'heli
efforts to reform the morals of others and con-
seouently they attack anything and everything
which they believe has a demorallzing tendency
az 10 the morals Of the general public
ASA MARK FOR REFORMERs.
Now as regards racing. The sport is a shining
mark for the arrow Of the reformer Racing
is a sport that must be conducted in the broad
open light of the day. on racecourses that are
open 10 the public where all persons who pay
the admission fee may the horses run. and
II they so desire they may place wager either
great or small upon the horse which they select
as the prospective winner. This Is too great
an opportunity 10 be lost by designing persons
who play upon the imagnations OF Well-inten-
toned people who have never witnessed race
and who have not the faintest idea OF what
horse racing is like The demagogues and
nolitical manipulatOrs who clutch at any oppor-
tunity to advance their own interests. attack
racing and its admirers whenever possible IN
tho legislative halls of the different States COM
rrsed in this great Republic. Now. will not
sav that racing on many tracks has not been
conducted in such a manner that hostile crltl-
cism OF the press. which represents the pubnc
mind most unerringly. ~as not merlted. Inc
greed for gain manifested by the management
of the proprietary tracks. without regard TO
the injury inflicted upon racing. has done fuiiy
as much injury TO the sport as the EFFORTS or
some of the honest. but misguided reformers
When any sport OF any business cannot stand
honest bold. fearless criticism by the press
especially so when large proportion Of the
rublic is interested. II cannot long exist unless
the causes for criticism are removed. ! Will not
refer 10 the actions Of some prominent man
ayers of racetracks in excluding turf critics
from the grounds. but will say that the best
interests of the turf demand that the CRITICISMS
of the press receive the utmost consideration
frono the governors Of racing What Is needed
most on the turf to-day is a governing BODY
that will not hesitate in infcting punishment
unon wrongdoers whenever the turf suffers
from their direct or indirect transactions
Much stress has been laid upon the dongs In the
betting rings Reports OF winnings have been
Greatly exaggerated and many wild reports
have been spread broadcast TO the injury OF
racing by irresponsible persons. who repeat the
sossip Of the betting-rngs IN public places
THE LAYERS OF ODDS
Now. in regard to the layers Of odds, as they
are now called, 1t is part or the'r BLOCK III
trade n secure every possible item of stable
information. and to learn about incidents ana
accidents occurring at the post or in the prog
ress ., q race. TO further their interests in the
constant battle with public preferences The
lavsrs of odds are fair game for the bettors
and n the latter paid as much attention 10
minor details. or took the time pains and trou-
,le N secure information that the layers take
believe that there would not be one-half the
talk about crooked racing that has been heard
throughout the present season
There is another thing, and say 1t without
he slightest desire 10 reflect upon anybody
The neighborhood OF New-York seems 70 be
waning In its prestige ss the racing centre OF
America All over the West. except IN places
where they have raced continuously, racing IL
in fourishng condition. In Montana with
thirty DAYS Of racing divided between the two
leading cities Of the State-Anaconda and Butte
large crowds attended the races every day