New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-09
TORTURE on THE WHEEL.

| The extent of the public patronage given 10
certain disrcputablc forms of sport Is amazing
| In the extreme. 1t was commonly conceded by
| those familiar with the facts that the races at
| Guttcnlmrg. Gloucester and some other places
few years ago were deceptive through and
| through and that unfortunate dolrs who bet on
| those races without guidance from the rascals
who arranged the jobs were constantly ieeced.
| Nevertheless all-wntcr tracks fourished for
long time. and the multitude of dupes eager to
| he robbed did not fall off might have been
| expected. 1t was the Legislature Of New-Ier-
| sew and not lack Of patronage, which put
stop TO the frauds perpetrated on the midwinter
| tracks Throngs of plundered victims crowded
| the betting rings even on the last days when
those gambling dives were open. 1t IL clear
that delnslve boxing matches and prizefghts
would prosper in almost every State of the
Union. with big gains to the fellows who con-
troll such affairs, If the lawmakers Of most of
the States had not acted with vgor The Legs-
ature of this State has failed to do its full duty
| In regard to knavish boxers and their asso-
GATES repeal of the Horton law and the
adoption of rigorous measures to protect people
who are too foolish To protect themselves are an
urgent need in the Empire State.
|
sIy-day bicycle contests 1t Is bewildering that
SO many people pay money for the privilege or
| seeing willy dodgers In boxing match the re-
suit of which has been determined in advance.
| II is astonishing that thousands Of NEWCOMERS
and of visitors TO the city buy tickets in order 10
| soc the riders who are writing in torment In
| the six .dav abomlnation which Is now on view.
| Certain writer's and takers whose pockets are
| fottoncd directlv or Indirectly from the tainted
revenues of these affairs are profuse with mis-
| representations and falsehoods in praise OF six
| dav contests II Is almost discrcdtable tV
the State of \ew-YOrk and the city Of New
York that vampire boxing matches and bar
barous six-day performances are permitted, a
| II this State and this city were 10 welcome
Spanish buhghs to Manhattan. II our mu-
| nicipal government and our Health Department
| had reached the stage Of civilization which they
| ought 10 have reached the professional sluggers
| and six-day riders would be driven away. The
| npologists for rookish matches and contests are
| insincere and INSCRIPTIONS. Any one who
| watches the hapless wretches In the sx-day
torture room cannot doubt that the riders are In
| n pitable condition. Most OF the managers and
| trainers are without conscience or compassion.
| They treat the men with atroclous brutality.
Even II the management had gained reputa
ton for fairness and integrity these despicable
affairs should be suppressed, but most OF the
managers and handlers are Of the tyre which IS
Justly looked upon with general dislike aud dis
trust.
1t Is hardly likely that the scores which are
given out are correct. Last year the track was
short 1t probably is short this year and the
Ing Is probably wide OF the mark What can he
the reason why 50 many people delight In being