The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-22

The racing situation Is grave indeed.
The public is turning away from the
sport in disgust, knowing that there 10
no chance for an honest contest SO long an
q few scbemers are permitted to manipu-
late the races TO their own profit.
The layers IN the ring are openly express
ing their horror. Even the veterans who
have passed through campaigns at Gutteu-
burg, Alexander island and Maspeth con-
fess they would not have believed that
such rottenness could exist on the high
class race courses.
The Jockey Club Is without doubt respOn-
sible for such a condition of affairs.
The only steward the turf ever had in
the East was John A. Hcnnessey, says the
New York Evening World. He was
gentleman whose ne wspaper work made
him familiar with every Jockeys riding.
He was excellent judge of form, fearless
and honest. He served a term at Parkway
and at Brighton, and his splendid work
called forth the admiration Of the public.
Tie Jockey Club does not realize how
important is the question Of good stewards
in the stand. Mr.. Belmont and Mr.. Keene
own big stables of race horses. They run
them to win and there is no question but
that they are absolutely honest in their
devotion to the turf. 1t would be the
realization OF their ideal to have every
race honestly contested SO that no breath
of suspicion could attack q jockey, owner,
and trainer.
70 LAST WEDNESDAYS RACES.
They can never expect to see this ideal
realized, however, unless they secure the
proper stewards Messrs. Vosburg, Mi!leI
and Bradford are incompetent. They ao
not judges of form when they permit such
races as Were run on Wednesday to pass
by unquestioned. \ thousand people saw
three horses pulled in as many races \
thousand people Were wild with indigna-
ton.
Everyone knows, and has known for some
time past, the existence OF this dangerouf
combination. 1t is playing worse game
than Little Pete, the California Chinaman,
ever dared TO play. 1t makes no secret Of
its intentions.
The Jockey Club loftily declares that it
takes no cognizance of betting. 1t Will
not recognize the ring in any of its de-
Cisons-openly. They do deal with the
ring-understand. This was evidenced in
enforcing the peculiar laws which govern
racing in this State at present.
The betting inclosure is the pulse OF the
race track and the Jockey Club makes
grave error in refusing to recognize its
Importance.
FROM THE BETTING RING.
Would physician be justified in Ig-
nOrlng tne nedrU bedtS OF MS patients!
Would his fame increase and would his
practice flourish if he declared that he
took no cognizance of the hearts action?
The ring knows accurately what horse
owners and jockeys are doing. They
know live money from dead money. They
know when a horse is trying or not.
The money tells them that before the
race is run, and they go out on the lawn
and see this fact verified, while the stew
ards sit in silent dignity.
The biggest book in the ring laid good
price against HaZiet on Wednesday and
kept increasing the price until the close
OF the betting. 1t took in $50. What
did that mean?
1t meant a great deal to the layers
The stewards, ignoring the ring knew
nothing of this, and perhaps did not watch
the race closely. But every layer in the
ring did.
The suspension of the two jockeys who
have been doing the work of the combina-
ton would cause a thrill of JOY to per-
lneate through the nerves of layers anI
public alike.
The Jockey Club must recognize the seTi-
Gus condition of affairs. They must
smash this dangerous combination and
punish the jockeys who are working for il.
This can be done only by the substitution
of live and energetic stewards who under
stand public form and Will see that horses
run up to it.