The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-24

mined to enjoy themselves on sea anu shore. Racing is the gentleman's sport Never in the history of the thoroughbred runner have there been so many tracks around this great city or so many men Of fortune interested in the fine sport How the hearts of the old timers would leap with joy if they could see the great events like the Suburban, Brooklyn Hand leap, Brighton and Saratoga Stakes run off in the presence of some thirty to forty thousand spectators all cheering like men possessed. refer to those old-time worthies August Belmont, George and Pierre Lorillard, Leonard Jerome, Wil- liam R. Travers, Withers, Sir Roderic Cameron and William Astor.
 
 A new generation of sportsmen have come up or, perhaps l should say new crop. William c. Whitney. who has gone into racing with that marvellous energy which has been so characterisuc or hlm in politics and business, braved the dlsap- pointments of last season and so far this has seen his co1ors borne victorious to the wire Gunfre's victory at Morris Park has fired the hopes of the ex-secretary of the navy for the Brooklyn Handicap and Suburban Last summer James R. Keene rejoced in Whitney's discomfort. The rivalry of Whitney and Keene is no secret. It began in Wall street ana stretched out to the race track. keene last season saw his string win event after event and Whitney set back to eat the crust of defeat This year the tables are turned IIeene's horses are defeated. ln- Junction loses the stakes and Whitney wins at home and abroad. Last season young Mackay had a fine string. When a11 O understand Clarence Mackay is buying welI-bred yearlings and two-year-olds Tor future use General Thomas son, E. k. aomas, is determined to have a me stable at once. He bought Hermis the other day from Louis V. Bell at the pretty figure, $6O,OO0 Louis Bell paid Ii. M. Zeigler SEQ, 900 at Saratoga for Hermls. This great son of Hermence won ten out of fourteen starts last season, beating the great horses of the day, with the ex- ception of Gold Heels against whom he never ran.
 MT E. R. Thomass judgment is to be commended. The four-year-old Is in me form and ready to meet all corners E the Coney Island classic. If Gunfire ana Hermis run close in the Suburban, prophecy a match race between Hermis and Gunfire if I am right on their own CTS It will be brought about by an added event and addition to the purse by the Jockey club. a couple of entries 10 pc scratched at the post This Is law com plied with. Hermis is entered in events with S2OOOO0 in purses ahead of him. Any how he Is standard bearer Tor ne" stable Let me see, when MT. Thomas announced his intention to spend $oOO,OOo in a racing stable some laughed. Let us see what he has bought, Hermis, s6O'0Oo; Oratas, $15OO0; Pulus s2oOOo; Vagary, So'- GOO: Auto, s1,5O0 and Yardarm, s15,OOO or I'D to date he has purchased six thorough hreds at a cost of s1160O0 In this sport he is joined by Mrs. Thomas, who Is a native-born Kentuckian, and loves the sleek-coated, thin-legged, soft-eyed thor oughbred But as a turn, Louis V Bell did well. Outside of some fat winnings he cleared $4O,00O.
 spealing of Mrs. Thomas reminds me of Mrs Payne Whitney and Mrs. Duryea who last summer attracted some atten- tion as owning some good horses. A great deal of unpleasant notorlety, uh- pleasant to these ladies, came to them from the announcement. Not word mas been said about their withdrawal It VIII not be long before the secret VIII come out. I understand they run thelr horses t Q reqistered stable name and the se- cret of their ownership is well kept. Will liam B. Leeds Is going in for stable. Andrew Miller sold him Nevermore ana "Nevermore" is somewhat or dsap- pointment as he Is easily outelasseo' Leeds. however, has wonderful Iaeulty for coming to the front ana pelo,e .ne public is awake to the fact he will nave winners under the wire. Leeds is 1olly' wholesouled fellow, and I feel sure he will have string before long of which he will have reason to feel proud But enough of the most popular amusement of the day, horse-racing.
 
 sneal1ins of municipal politics reminds me that a few days ago I ran across one of the great lights in Tammany l spoke of Devery. I expected him to laugh, fn- stead, he said "Devery out for mayor might defeat Tammany He would not win and he would not expect to. It would suit him to keep the organization out of power. He has been thrown down and out SO he would not benefit if Tammany won. If Tammany were again defeated he would not only keep his following, but internal warfare would be waged inside the organization. As 1t is the fires are smouIdering and can be easily famed into flames Murphy Is on trial. Any body can run Tammany now. It is dead up there. Harmony prevails as we all have hope. Of course, it is Devery'f play to injure Murphy. Deyery could probably poll 25,000 votes. Those votes would be right out of Tammany. They would not be drawn from the so-called | independent democrats or the voters o1 the last election. They would be the olc guard who believe in men of the Devery fowl and neck'
 In connection with this 1t is interesting to note that John Sheehan is pushing for ward Jerome for mayor. Herman Ridder who prefers himself to any other man would have to stand for Jerome; alsc Cutting as the head front and body oi the Citizens Union. Cutting, of course would prefer low as Fulton Cutting Is 6 patriot streaked with republicanlsm. but IS Low is not in favor with the republi san county committee, they might bt forced to endorse William Travers Jer ome. Sheehan. successful in the nomi nation and election of Jerome, would b, virtually the boss and Murphy's dayl would be over. can not believe tha rammany can lose if 1t puts up the righ nan and Devery can be kept quiet. Witf Devery running amuck. Jerome would yin. Young George B. Mcclellan running against Jerome would be sure death tC he son of General Mcclellan. Jerome i. man of force. of convictions, a man tC ,e relied upon; while Mcclellan Is a. Yasive as a moonbeam and as illusivs IS water held In the hand.
 According to a carefully prepared state nent. the total contribution of Mir. Car. ,eeie toward the foundation of libraries
 oIleRes and some other institutions ,vno,,nta to the enormous sum of nearl,