The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-10


most common, unfair and even repul-
sive racing crimes. The only way to
establish the identity Of all these thous-
ands of amateur racing men and cor
rect the evil Is TO require them to reg
lister with the board.
Professionals.
There are nearly 5000 professionals
upon the records, but only Gel partic-
ipated in racing last year. There was
large falling off In the number OF
race meets in the west. and there was
no occupation for the thousands. or
the 62l registered professionals, 9S are
under suspension for participating in
unsanctioned races.
The last national assembly, in its Wis
dom, again refused TO amend the con-
stitution so as to admit professionals
to membership. 1t was but a repetition
OF the action of former assemblies, but
the professionals had counted strongly
upon different result at st. Louis, and
In their disappointment became very
embittered. Their common complaint
was that they had been branded as
unfit to associate with members Of the
l.. A. W."
Accordingly, in the spring Of 1898, Il
rather disorganlZed organization was
formed by racing men, adventures,
Spectators and one-track association
and one of their leading men visited the
office Of the chairman and informed
him that it was intended that he Qhe
chafrman) would be at the head OF the
new government. The proposed plans
and the business transactions ut their
informal and formal meetings were well
,rl, fnt I,f, ri r,t,
time before the opening of the racing
season proving too short to attempt
to carry their plans into effect, and
owing to not meeting with the expected
encouragement. from track owners.
they decided to postpone positive and
definite action until the autumn of 1899,
In the meantime keeping up the work
for their cause.
The national assembly had likewise
forbidden the issuing OF sanctions for
the usual six-day races, and the va
l'ious promoters who annually give
those exhibitions also promoted many
other meets where sprint and middle
distance races were held. The best ma
terlal was required for these exhibit
tons; and accordingly the men. who
desired TO form another organization,
received the aid and encouragement Of
these promoters In the autumn of 1885,
While there was some temporary local
success of the enterprise during the in
door season, II now has a precarious eX-
istence and owing. to well-known con-
ditions can be but short lived.
National Circuit.
The national circuit .of--1S57 proved
generally unsatisfactory 10 the racing
men. In many cases the principal prize,
! was but forty dollars, and much COM
plant WAS made TO thc chairman. Much
time was given 10 visiting travelling
| with and consulting racing men, mana
gers, trainers, track owners and pro-
moters during that season and the fol
| lowing winter. concerning the establish
| ment of n nationa! circuit, and in work.
| ing up the details from the concensus
| of opinions gathered. The men cX-
| pressed themselves as believing that
the first prizes should be Sl5O and then
| the principal men would fee! not only
| in duty bound, but have the strongest
! incentive to follow the circuit through.
| Promoters generally willingly conceded
the $3.50 first prize. and asked recip.
rocal concession by adding holidays to
the comparatively few Saturdays on
the national circuit A mutual policy
OF live and let live seemed to prevail
and the latter was freely conceded. The
result was the national circuit of 1926
Formerly 1t was but Il name for a series
Of meets a triila larger than the ordln.
airy ones. The national circuit of 1898
was onc-ln fact, the only one ever
worthy the name-where the prorcs-
sional nationa! championships were run
and where commensurate prizes were
required. Before forming the national
circuit it was of universal understand
Ing with racing men and promoters
even so much as in effect to amount to
Il contract-that II promoters assumed
such additional large expenses the rae
ing men would follow the circuit The
racing men were held to, their part OF
| the contracts by the refusal of the board
| to grant special permits to other pro-
motors to exceed the prize limit where
1t would conflict with Il national circuit
meet. In every case where Il national
| circuit meet was given tho promoters
! faithfully performed their contracts
and promptly paid their prizes TO the
men winning them. The men, be 1t said
TO their credit, made few attempts to
get bonuses or appearance money be-
fore entering for these races, and only
once were they tempted to violate their
implied contracts, and this WAS PROMPT
ly checked.
The position OF the chairman of the
racing board should be as approyi-
mately permanent as that OF the sec
rctary-that ia, practically to be indie
pendent upon good bchavlor--and he
should be required 10 have no other oc-
cupation. The temporary character OF
the position is now such that lie must
perform other duties or business as n
means OF livelihood. He Is. therefore,
Handicapped by plurality OF business,
ancc OF dual duties will about exhaust
the average man In the space OF two
years.
The members OF the board should be
numerous, and should be composed of
the han1ICappcrB throughout the ceHH-
try who have had experience GE SUCH
These handlCappcrS come In direct Cou-
tact with The racing men and promo;-
| erR. and could speedily and easily be
educated to the duties OF members.
Having comparatively small tcrrllor-
les to suIhrlntcnd they could give IL
personal and intelligent supervision,
ara IN" racing department would COON
/ proilt by 1t. These positions should also
nave S"ihe degree or p"riuarency. and
! som" remuneration. The hitter could
be provided for by the registration Of
amateurs Ia addition 10 the present
handicapping rccs. There need be no
additional cost to the l.. a. W. In fact.
the racing department IL tho only ono
OF the objects OF the league which Ia
without cost 10 the of6nnIzation.
The work has been cur:..ca on In con-
lormlly to tho directions Of the prcsi.
don't and national! assembly as outlined
In The amateur rule, In the constitution
and bv- luNa. and hv ihc lt,, Ia go, .l,.... :,