New-York tribune., 1897-07-18
WAS THE FRIAR A MARTYR?
A HOLY ALLIANCE FORMED ON THE
TURF.

NEWSPAPERS ACCUSED og MALicIousLY PERsE-
CUTTING GOOD MEN
In the early issues Of a one-cent Afternoon paper
yesterday the following was pubisfed
Tho full text of the agreement which owners
trainers and Jockeys have entered into for defend
ins Themselves against criticisms is as follows:
Whereas, We the undersigned owners trainers
and Jockeys believe that The Friar was nonesUs
run and ridden in all his races, and that Messrs.
Norris Walden and Littlehcld have been man
ciously prosecuted by certain newspapers, whose
reporters have been actuated by personal animos-
ity on account Of past occurrences; and
"'Whereas We believe that we shoulo 'ahe
measures for our mutual protection egainst lutu'e
attacks Of the kind;
Now, therefore, we. the undersigned, agree !"
form an association which shall employ lesaI coui-
sci 10 prosecute all newspapers which may puohsh
any Ebeous statements against any OF US WHICH
statement cannot be substantiated.
This one-cent evening newspaper seens to nave
been appointed as the Official Organ OF the Fra
ternity Of Spotless Saints Of the Racetrack which
10 composed of the men who signed the renarKapie
statement and compact the Language Of which IS
quoted above This Official Organ then gives the
list Of signatures Of the Fraternity OF Spouess
Saints The arst on the list as printed IN the
Ohicia Organ Is that OF X. W. Walden. VINO IL
designated IN this article as owner. trainer ana
breeder" Mr. Walden is owner trainer and
breeder That is true enough. But first and fore
mos, he is the trainer of The Friar So the
trainer Of The Friar signs a statement declaring
that The Friar was honestly run and ridden III
all his races. and that Messrs. Morris. WaIoeh
and Littlefied have been maliciously prosecuted
BY certain newspapers" II is exceedingly crafty
ing TO receive this declaration from the trainer or
The Friar.
Next on the list OF signatures printed IN the
Oficiai Organ come the names or a. ii. MOTIFS
and D. H. Morris who referred TO as owners
n.x-ln mrs
and breeders. That is true And they are the
owners OF The Frar. And they solemnly assure the
universe in this singular document. as the Ofhciai
Organ puts II, that The Frar was honestly run
and ridden in all his races. and that Messrs. Nor
ris. Walden and Littlefeld have been mahciousIy
prosecuted by certain newspapers" Every sympa-
thetic heart must bleed for A. II. Morris and D. H.
Morris when the two young men sign a statement
that they have been maiciously prosecuted by
certain newspapers" The public buildings IN every
part Of the United States ought TO be draped In
Grape for thirty days. because the Morris boys say
tha, they have been maliciously prosecuted by
certain newspapers
But other people say so. too Anyway. the one
Cent Evening Official organ OF the Spotless Saints
Of the Racetrack prints long list OF signatures OF
men who have signed the declaration that Messrs
Morris Walden and Lttleheld have been mali
ciously prosecuted by certain newspapers. This
list Of signatures contains the names OF William
Penn, Fred Littlefeld. William Gee. J. McGann and
F. Stanhope" and the Official Organ groups these
names together. and remarks that they are jock
sys for A. H & D II. Morris" What dreadful
fangs must have torn the soul and riven the very
bowels Of William Penn, sooty imp from Congo
land when he learned that A. II. Morris and D. H
Morris had been malciously prosecuted by certain
newspapersr How William Gee and J. McGann
and F. Stanhope Jockeys for A. II. & d. H. Nor
ri." as the Official organ has ii, must have sobbed
and shrieked with horror when they were told that
Nd Had
ciously prosecuted by certain newspapers. The
last scene OF Hamlet has few tears in II. but
the last scene Of Hamlet merry farce In
comparison with the tragic gloom OF the heart-
rending spectacle OF William Penn, William Gee j.
McGann and F Stanhope. Jockeys for A II. q
D H. Morris" wailing out their anguish because
the Messrs Morris had been maliciousy perse-
cuted by certain newspapers" Possibly the sur
geons may be able to William Penn. He was
born tough and after several desperate operations
Dee &c may yMcSnn and guF sanop as odEs '
II. & d. H Norris will die OF grlet because thy
Messrs Morris have been malciousiy prosecuted
by certain newspapers"
But the Official organ prints the names OF other
amazing and extraordinary document ever maae
public in connection with turf matters II any coHn
Gee" Michael Clancy. W. 3. Sink. jr.. Alfred
LaEeand Gh4Tss OTN teTn gHn.' AHi6ony Ham
ton and other leading statesmen OF the turf A
professional bunco-steerer of the list OF sign,
ers Tut Inc Official organ seems 10 have revised
Name mae has been taken out Neverthe.ess it is likely
that the bunco-steerers name was IN me origilia M
list nj signers. Yet few names OF distinguished
celebrity on the turf seem TO have been missing
from all the lists which have been p rn M
the signature OF William {; DAILY or mat mat OF DOC
H m IT who carried on that beneceni public
institution called the Dump. Why were tney sIlSht- NJ
because some Of them never were able 70 wri5e
their own names II Is dicu!' 10 tbeir
+ is a fact that some prominent trainers who
are inAuential on the turf did sign this silly paper
But every reasonable man who fooIlshiy put Ms HIs
TO this absurd document viii VIII pg "dar II s
all right for every owner trainer ana J0cke!r ~
sign statement expTeSdhg rddsn hs in all his
II that is the sincere conviction OF the o"isI
reasonab bic and sensible and intelligent person OBJ
1ects In the least 10 the acton OF any o"ncr,
signature that ne believes The Friar was honestly
run and ridden in all mis- races Ihat is s hEI NE Ne
human being who is not either 1901 or a t KhaVe
believes deliberately and atter carelal a
den and Littefed nave been maliclously perse.
cuted by certain newspapers, whose reporters nave
been actuated by personal anmoslty on account
Of past occurrences" ,....,,,.. -o.so,
knows that il is not true. Have J. J. Eakins and
Francis Trevelyan and Mr.. Boden and Tracy Bron,
sTacftve turf writers who have been writing in
telligent and able comments on the running o. Inc
Widen and Littlefeld, and been actuated by per,
soraI animosity on account of past occurrences,
As the precious document already quoted asserts!
What nioonstruck madness It IS for any one to say
ANYTHING OF the sort What personal grievance
have Messrs. Eakns. Bronson. Treyeyan; Boden
and The many other pungent turf critics VINO nave
been writing about The Friar against Messrs.
Morris. Walden and Littlefed? None at al. Every
one OF these writers has generous SOUL Every
one OF them would like 70 see Messrs MOTIFS;
Walden and Lttlefeld members OF the United
states Senate. with their pockets ,,f fun OF susaf
Trust shares a rising market. But wneI that
Immoral colt The Friar would insist upon break
ing ali MS vows could these gentlemen refralrl
from telling the truth about The Friar's breach OF
faith? o, e,. -. .ho
Raoe-Track takes the turf 100 seriously. Inc re-
por,ers nave no personal animosity on account u
past occurrences toward Messrs. Morris. walden
and Littleheld. They admire all those gen'i'-