The herald., 1898-05-30

W WI. v
Sports were very lively last week, and
while the bicycle races did not receive the
support that they deserved 1t was the
public that was the principal loser, both in
point of pleasure Of witnessing remarka-
bly, good races and for not getting that
Calling gun which was to have been pur-
chased from the proceeds of the two days
race meet. The failure of the war fund race
meet Is enough to discourage the most
hopeful, and If George Crater is quoted by
the northern papers as saying that this
town is dead, he certainly cannot be blamed
for expressing such sentiments. With the
exception of the national circuit meet
some years ago. 1t is doubtful II there have
ever been better races in this city than
were given at Agricultural park last Fri
day and Saturday. Why they were not
better patronized Is what many cannot I'M
derstand.
Two things which would have affected al
most any meet contributed to the failure
There was, first, the fact that neither of the
dates of the meet fell on holiday, and,
secondly, because of their being held at
Agricultural park. The public prefers to
witness bicycle races on the quarter-mile
track at the old Athletic park, and the dis
lance to Agricultural park is also against
its popularity.
For some reason the public became sus-
picious of the meet on account of its being
got up under the representation of being
a benefit. Their judgment proved to be un-
just however, In the present case. Another
reason for the failure was because of lack
of proper booming in the papers. Had the
meet been extensively written up It would
have been better supported.
O o O
Ever since Furman defeated Wing, the
Olympic crack bicycle rider, he, his friends
and some of the northern papers have been
trying to invent excuses, and like another
San Francisco man who met better man
in F1,zsimmons. are bowling for another
chance" Furman will give them all the
chance they desire, but naturally insists
that he be shown some considerat fon in the
matter. A Mr. Mackie of San Francisco
Is In the city, and has been endeavoring, 1t
Is understood to induce Furman to- ride
match race with Wing. While dwelling at
more or less length upon the drawing
qualities of such a race, Mr.. Mackie has
thus far failed to mention the important
part of preliminary expenses. He and the
balance of the San Francisco crowd seem
to think that Furman should neglect his
work and spend his money in training and
other expense to San Francisco In order to
give Wing a chance to defeat him.
Furman however, has taken the stand that
If the northern men are so anxious for an
other race they should pay his expenses,
and he is right. The northern men who
would manage the race require that they
should get the most of the money, but like
San Francisco in other dealings with the
south, they aim to make everything and
loose nothing.
When any of them are ready to talk
business on proper terms Furman will give
them all the chances Wing wants The
San Francisco papers are claiming that
Wing was too i'll to have ridden against
Furman in the relay race. This is joke,
a i.chance blow excuse. Furman showed
what he can do last Saturday when he
rode q mile practically unpaced in one min
ute fiat, and also reduced Wings record
for a paced mile by nearly four seconds on
Thursday.
The meeting OF Bob Thompson and Billy
Lynch turned out to be another f1asco.
Lynch went to the hall about twelve pounds
overweight through no fault Of his own
so his managers claimed. 1t might not
have been the fault of Lynch that this oc
Cured, but 1t showed gross incompetency
OH the part of the men who were training
him. Thompson, however, very properly
refused to fight him under the original con-
ditions, but named new ones, which would
have given the colored man all the net
receipts had he defeated Lynch or IS per
cent had the latter won. This Lynch's
manager declined to accept, SO the men did
not meet. Thompson accepted a challenge
from "Young Critic" of Philadelphia. This
fight will be good one If pulled off, and 1t
is to be hoped that some reliable people
will have the management
Trimble is out with another challenge for
a fight at catch weights with Thompson or
Lynch. Here-is a chance for the latter to
get a match. The people who saw Lynch
fight with Jack Burkhardt last week have
moderated Lynch, as he did not mix things
much or make much of an effort to fight.
He and Trimble ought to be we'll matched
and meeting between them should draw
we'll and be splendid bout.
o o o
The Brooklyn handicap, one of the great
est turf events of the year, was run Satur-
DAY and Ornament captured 1t in easy STYLE
He was ridden by Tod Sloan, as great a
Jockey as the animal is horse. Had the
mighty Hamburg started it Is probable that
he would have been back in the bunch, too
for he was badly defeated few days ago
by Bowling Brook and Previous at even
weights.
COURSING AT THE PARK
At Agricultural park yesterday there
was not the usual fair-day crowd in at