New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-01
THE SPORTS OF MIDSUMMER.

In many departments Of sport midsummer
activity and interest are at their height Inc
New-York Yacht Club will begin It's annual
cruise in a day or two, and 1t Is generally an
ticpated that the gathering OF high-class YES
sells will be gratifying to all Americans who re-
jcce that yachting has taken so strong hold
upon the affections of so many conspicuous and
influential citizens. The rivalry among the
small yachts has been especially lively this sea
son. and the struggles for supremacy between
the feet Of little boats which have been flying
before the winds off Newport, in Long Island
Sound and elsewhere have been much comment
ed upon, and have excited warm discussion.
The army Of devotees 10 golf has increased It's
ranks enormously this year, and many Ameri-
cans whose prowess on the links had not been
widely suspected, have won high hOnOrs in re-
cent weeks. Within the last fortnight there
has been so much rain throughout the Eastern
States that the hundreds of thousands Of men,
women and children whose favOrlte recreation
Is found on the wheel have encountered many
obstacles and discOuragements. SO much rain
has fallen this summer that 1t Is only reason
able to presume that the month of August will
be serene and sunny and the amateur riders Of
the bicycle are likely to have ample Opportuni-
ties for all sorts of runs and all sorts of fun.
The experts on bicycles, both professional and
amateur have been displaying greater speed in
1891 than in any previous year, and have been
accomplishing more impressive and startling
feas than in any other season. The passion
for the bicycle Is not waning, ii Is waxing al
though the most Jealous friends Of the wheel
must admit that many riders. who up 10 this
wear have given their hours Of recreation entire
" 10 the wheel, are now dividing their devotion
TO exercise and amusement between the bicycle
and the golf links. 1t is safe TO say that only
a few years ago the proportion of golf players
In this country as compared with the number
of bicycle riders was n percentage so small as
TO be almost n6nitesimal. but golhng Is gain
ing ground amazingly. and new links are COM
ing into use all over the country Ii is unneces-
sary to dwell upon the peculiar and exceptional
attractiveness OF golf. 1t appears 10 exercise
n welngh irresistible fascination upon all who
take part in the sport and all who look on while
golf rivalries are In progress.
The thoroughbred horses are not dauned by
violent storms nor by intense heat and on
many tracks in the West, and a few in the
East, the runners are competing for stakes and
prizes for six days IN every week. No I'M
prejudiced and intelligent observer of racing
in the United States can deny that there are too
many racetracis, that there are too many breed
ing farms, and that the number OF horses in
training ought 10 be reduced extensively. The
racing Of runners has been grevousy over
done. and the influence Of this intolerable ex-
cess has been extremely Injurious High-class
racing between horses OF genuine merit on well
managed courses might In time obtain a popu-
larlty IN this country approaching the marvel
lous popularity Of racing in Great Britain; but
the United Kin gdom is not afflicted with dozens
OF h!ppodromes and merry go-rounds. upon
which animals OF no real value are put through
thei. PAGES. chiefly 10 keep up gambling in bet
ing-rngs and in poolrooms. Interruptions men
have started many tracks in the West and in
the South. their main purpose being In most
cases 20 enrich themselves by stimulating Illegal
and indefensibie speculation. IT Is certain that
the American people VIII not always endure
the abuses produced by the existence OF great
numbers Of beting-rngS and great numbers
Of poolrooms Legislation of the severest sort