The San Francisco call., 1897-03-11
SPRECKELS
RESIGNED
A Big Upheaval in the
Pacific Coast Jockey
Club
OBJECTED TO EASTERN
INNOVATIONS.
The Clubs President Will Per.
manently Retire From
the Turf.
VICE PRESIDENT CROKER
WILL WITHDRAW.
And the Ass sociations Able Secretary
w. S. Leake, Will Hand in His
Resignation To-Day.
VICE . PRESIDENT CROKER
WILL WITHDRAW.
And the Ass ociation's Able Secretary
w. S. Leake, Will Hand in His
Resignation To-Day.

The greatest racing organization west
of the city of Chicago is threatened
with complete bankruptcy, disruption,
if, indeed. it has not already been
accom- plished. There was a meet
ing of the directors and leading
spirits of the Pacific Coast Jockey Club
held at the Palace Hotel yesterday, the
results of which came as thunderbolt
from q clear sky to the local and visiting
Eastern turf frequenters.
President A. B. Spreckels rendered his
resignation as president, the resignation
OF Vice President II. J. Crocker and Sec
retary W. s. Leake will go in to-day and
the designations of Directors Androus and
Tarpey will shortly follow. Thus disap-
pears from the California turf men who
have raised the sport in this end of the
country to its present high level.
Mr.. SpreckeIs said last evening that his
action in the matter was taken from the
fact that his club had tried to furnish the
public with the cleanest and best sport
that substantial purses and stakes could
afford, but that he objected to Eastern
innovations"
Secretary Leake stated in an interview
that bis family connections had always
objected to his embarking in the racing
business and that more profitable busi-
ness offer compelled him 10 accept.
President Spreckels will dispose of all
of his stock in the Ingleside Association,
as we'll as his large racing stable, and ths
familiar red, white and blue carried by Cad
mus, Piquante, Pat Murphy and others
will be known no more. Mr.. Leake also
said that his stock would go as the market
went.
The Western turf has suffered an ire
trieveble loss. From barren sand
waste IDgleside track has become in a
period of less than two years the Morris
Park OF the West.
The policy of its millionaire president
and its directors has been to give the pub
lie high-class and clean sport. 1t was the
first track to dispense with the poverty
breeding entrance fee that kept poor un-
fortunate platers munching on straw and
their owners walking about in rags. It's
munifcent stakes have been the talk of
the turf world. In return the public re-
posed the utmost confidence in its officers
and the play 81 Ingleside was tremen-
dous.
Captain J. H. Rees of Memphis a gen.
tleman of wealth and honor, presides in
the stand with J. W. Wilson of Sacra-
mento as associate Judge, and the decision
of these gentlemen was never questioned
by the big crowds.
If racing for glory constitutes gentle
man sportsman. A. B. Spreckels was the
one pre-eminent IN this section of the
country. With millions at his command,
Mr.. Spreckels did not seek to win every
event and stake on the card at the course
over which he held the Office of president.
With fine stock farm in Napa County
well stocked with the choicest of brood
mares and several select stations, he took
great pride in watching the youngsters
grow up until they were old enough to
carry the colors. With only fair stable
of horses, none above Dediocrity, he de-
sired no races made for them, no weights
adjusted, but entered them in races along
with horses of the poor owner and gener-