New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-22
THE SEASON OF SPORTS.

The preparations for season OF outuoo'
snorts which Is certain TO be or nnusuai H'e'-
ness and interest are now actvey unuer wa!
All over the country the passion Tor Dcycic
riding is cnlisting new recruits. Every MANU-
f,cturer is working under extreme pressure ~
firm ont the largest possible number OF whcels
for the meE and women who find recreation anu
on ioymcnt on the bicycle. 1t Is evident that thc
multitudinous hosts of riders this spring In me
North and in the South. in the East and In me
West. will be much greater than In any previous
vc,r. and competitions on the wheel VIII gather
increased armies Of spectators. The pltchers'
the catrhers and the basemen are hard nj WORK
cetting themselves in readiness for the contests
Of the so-callel National game COLI is con-
stontlv gaining in the array Of its vo'aries
American yachtSmen are consulting with design
crs and with builders as TO repairs and improve
mcnts and new vessels. Even if there should
he no international contest in yachting on this
side Of the Atlantic in 1896, the Interest OF
Americans has been so stimulated and intensi-
fed in Yachting Of all kinds that there VIII DE
no locl, Of zeal and Of excitement among the
members Of the variois organizations which
hold regattas College rowing gives promise OF
many noteworthy battles of the oars. and the
EXHIBITS Of the Yale at Henley VIII De
watched with the keencst attention both by
Englishmen and Americans Lawn tennis ana
cricket and the long list Of other outdoor games
will find followers as numerous and earnest as
| in other seasons.
In recent years the American trofters ana
| noccrs have achieved such marvels In cutting
| down records as to amaze the people of all other
| countries and even the Americans themselves
| Cool and careful experts In trotting expect. how
| ever that still greater speed will be accom-
| plshed by the best American colts and FLIES.
| and that some one of he superb animals that
h,ve already trotted many mile in less than
| 2:1O will get almost, II not quite to the two
| minutes mark before next winter comes. IN"
| prospects for thoroughbred racing in the East
are highly encouraging. The Jockey Club has
made important progress In influence and a'i'
thority. Every honorable admrer Of high-class
horscaesh feels that racing In the Empire State
is now In safe hands, and that that sport VIII
be carried on this year with higher success
and distinction than ever before. In 1898 the
| state Racing Commission was new In office, ana
,he Jockey Club had not secured the advantages
Of long experience 1t is generally believed that
sport OF the noblcst quality will be enjoyed nj
Norris Park. at Shcepshead Bay and at Brook
number Of fast trottcrs and Of swift runners
produccd in the United States in recent years is
amazing The production. In fact has been so
extensive as 10 lower prices for fast horses. born
ON the racecourse and on the trotIng track
Nevertheless breeders can still confidently ex'
meet 10 get good returns for animals OF genuine
merit.
! II f. 10 be regretted that certain Western and
Southern States still permit running ana trot-
ting contests to be carried on through nearly all
the months Of thc year. with the evil influences
az unchecked gambling in the betting rings
! Every State in the Union ought 10 follow me
example of Ncw-York and sernly suppress the
| betting rings on the racetracks. There can De
no satisfactory racing and no satisfactory sport
| Of any kind II gambling Is permitted without
| check or restraint within the limits OF the
grounds where the contests are seen. Any one
who is familiar with the condition OF affairs 4
few wears ago. whom no effort was made &c
limit or restrain the operations OF professional
gamblers. mus; recognize the fact that most
valuable improvements have been effected. IL
is evident that sports OF all classes in the most
| enlightened States Of the Union are freeing
themselves from the mischlcvous effects OF wild
speCr,laton. and II may fairly BE- expectei tina
within a reasonable time every form OF outdoor
! sports will be managed In such way as TO de
serve the hearty support OF the American people