The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-22
crIIL HOPE FOR THE TRACK.
., OF RACE COURSE FOR SA-
yANNAH NOT ABANDONED.


r.Iked Of, However, and 1t Is
p.obabIe That Further steps VIII
NJ Taken-Mr. j. n. Garnett Is
Conadeut That Owners Would
Ind Their Horses Here - Many
uu.iness Men Are Ready to Con-
.,hnte Means for the Establish
ment of the Course.
.Not dead but sleeping" is an inscrip-
Aim not an epitaph, that might suitably
-.t.r TO the scheme for the establishment
-. race course, of which so much was
..,d few months ago. The project
-, nv no means. been given over, and 1t
:. ,st very likely that il will be carried
out.
n, 7 X. Garnett returned to Savannah
few days ago after some time spent IN
.ha East. Mr.. Garrett, himself, owns
.,,lnz Of racers and he is thrown in con-
noct with many horsemen when he goes
On his Northern and Eastern trips. He ie
An A good position to judge Of their atti-
,uae toward the various tracks they fire.
ou4nt and the expressions he gathered
,rop, them indicate quite clearly that there
you'd be a splendid prospect for the sue
nase Of a course este blished near Sa-
yannah.
number of the owners of stables in
formed MIR. Garnett that they did not
care to return this winter to New Or
leans. In fact, some declared they would
not go back for any consideration. having
been dissatisfied with the meet there last
season. With New Orleans having the only
horouehly-equipped racing course ana
stables in the far South, it would seem
. from this dssa tisfaceion that Savannah,
~ she had a track with every appointment
for the convenience of horses and horse
men would enjoy an excellent opportunity
to become known as one of the most pop
ulsr meeting places in the country. The
climate during the winter is all that could
be desired, and, unlike New Orleans from
where reports of rain and heavy track
are very frequent, has not the difficulty
Of too much moisture. The course would
remain firm and of just the hardness
that is desired.
But one meeting was ever held for the
consider alton of the race course scheme.
II started off with rush on that occa-
sion everybody evtncing the greatest en-
ihusiasm and, apparently, being convinc-
ed that 1t could be successfully pushed.
Gen. ". w. Gordon was chairman of the
would soon call subsequent one, to
consider the report of special commit
tee that was appointed to secure desired
informa ion. The accident to Gen. Cor
don, when he had a rib broken by the fall
of his horse, however, and his subse-
Quent departure from the city, prevented
him from taking any further active part
in the undertaking.
Messrs. John r. Young, George w.
A-I . he
committee that was to ascertain if there
were any tracts suitable for convention
into race courses near the city, the prices
for which they could be obtained and the
probable cost for establishing the course
and cree ing the many buildings that will
be necessary. Inquiries failed to develop
that this committee is ready TO report
but, were there any one to call another
mass meeting for the consideration Of
such a report, it is probable that the in
formation would soon be secured and
made known to the citizens interested.
A gentleman who displayed keen inter
est In the scheme at its inception said
Yesterday that he does not know when
another meeting Is to be held. He deplored
the Sc ming apathy that exists at present
though he indicated no intention to call
another meeting himself, believing that
this does not lay within his province Con-
WINGED, though, that many OF the leadlhg
citizens are thoroughly Interested in the
matter he would be greatly pleased II
someone who is we'll known would take
Tho initiative and get the wellwishers of
the plan together, as that must be the
next step in the organization or a Jockey
chh or association TO build the track and
conduct 1t.
whenever you are ready to start that
track" said former SaVanahisn' WhHe
here on a visit few days ago, put me
down for a subscription OF Wow. 1hlS
was to the gentleman referred 10 ABOVE
and several others have msde OFFERS that
make it clear enough to him that there
would not be the slightest dlfhcuity IN
setting all the money needed within a
very short while, and with very little
trouble.
IAN that is required said the gentle
man, rs for some definite and feasloie
plan to be submitted TO meeting attehn-
ed by the right people. OF course. no one
wants TO subscribe money TOT somethlnS
that has never been carefully mapped OUT.
II the committee should report thAt
grounds could be secured conveniently
near the city, and that the track ana
buildings could be provided at cost that
would not be considered excessive, the re-
sponse of the business men would De
Immediate. Although we have no means
Of guessing how nearly we are risnt,
is generally believed that about $SOWo
would start the association buying or
leasing the land for q term of years
building the track and erecting the builo-
nSs
Just the other day one OF the leading
merchants on Broughtop street said ne
was ready at any time to put up N,ooo.
l know OF Others who are willing to go
as deeply into the scheme while there
are a great many whose business would
be benefited by having races here during
the winter who are ready to come up
with amounts varying from 500 90 500.
/ DO not believe there would be the slight
est difficulty about getting the money; all
that 10 lacking Is for the night sort OF
man 20 go to work, push the thing and de-
Velop the general desire that unques-
uonaely exists for a race course.
The track once este bished, there would
De no difficulty about getting owners 10
SEND their horses here. OF this We have
been assured. One of the big associa-
lions would undertake the management or
races, and there would be all the runners
that we could want. The result would be
great increase in the business of the
city during the season and the attraction
Of class of men who would spend their
money freely. Such an enterprise, success
tuly conducted, would mean more for the
city than half a dozen cotton mills. There
seems TO be some difficulty about getting
the mills, SO why not have the race
course?"
II. 4 L. ~