The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-07-17
THE ornER SIDE OF GOLF.
Some Moral Aspects of tho Royal ant
 Ancient Game.

Ancient Game.
 The following interesting article on the moral aspects of golf appeared In recent issue of the Edinburgh Weekly Scotsman, and Is taken from the re- gently issued Golfers Guide, published by Messrs, w. II. White & Co.,, of Edinburgh, knowing that the article cannot fail to interest local lovers of the sport. It is herewith reprinted.
 'DRIVER."
 Golf, in its later phases, and on its new soil has manifested symptoms that have aroused alarm and question: ings in the bosoms of some of it's most ardent admirers. There can no longer be any doubt that 1t is one of the moral factors of the time, and that 1t de- mands the careful and scientific exami- nation of the sociologist. It is true that the Presbyteries have not so far taken it up seriously, as they have talk en up football, as snare and entice- ment from the path of righteousness. But this may In part be set down to the fact that golf can claim, with pride, a strong contingent of the clergy among it's most enthusiastic adherents; while local or professional prejudice still de- bars member of the cloth from guarding a goal and taking part in a maul But the natural portion of greatness and popularity is envy and detraction; and golfers should be forti- flying themselves with facts and argu- ments against the time, which is possi- bly, near at hand, when they may be called upon to defend their favorite sport against the fanatical supporters of a prohibitory golf law.
 1 A much more formidable and ad- vanced movement is that which is lead ing the fair sex, in ever growing num- bers and with ever-rising enthusiasm, | forth upon thevgolf course-not the trumpery Ladies' Links which, on the | first rush of these danes and damseis, was flung to them like scrap tossed to pursuing wolves, but the full round, where they meet on equal terms, and frequently overcome, their nominal lords and masters.
 Then there Is the Caddie question, as perplexed and burning in its own way I as the Irish question or the servant question. To the minds of many thoughtful persons, the Caddie, with all he is and portends, is the shady spot on the fair fame of the game of golf. In any glance, however brief, at the phi losophy of the game, the Caddie cannot be overlooked. All that one may ven ture to set down is that golf caddies are a race apart, with a standard of worth a system of ethics, almost a religion, oi their own, received from tradition ana improved by practice; and, whatever may be the peculiar value of his mora l code, 1t differs in not few points from the moral law as ordinarily taught anG understood. Most men, while on tht links, absorb something of the Caddie's views and opinions on life and its du- ties they seek, consciously or uncon sciously, to live up to the Caddie': standard of rectitude; and, if tha standard should happen to get lax ol low, they suffer and, all golfdonl mus suffer with them. If 1t is possible then, to raise to a still greater neigh the reputation of golf as 8 sanative strengthening and purifying influence :. which we neither affirm nor deny, th' most promising course would seem ( be the launching of a mission for th moral elevation of the Caddie.
 Among the charges that, with nor or less of rashness and injustice, hav been brought against goffing is tn statement that it encourages profan swearing and the bearing of false-wit ness. It may be freely acknowledged that occasionally comminatory Ian guage has been heard on the links. is suing from unaccustomed lips. 'Eva, ministers, they hae been kenned" t mutter words that sounded not unlik an cath when they have duffed criti cal shot, or found themselves in bat "lie," or had a stimey laid against then when sure of the hole; most of all when they have broken favorite club There is g, story told of a northern