Year: 1871




he held that all recruits claiming to be minors
aheuld be bound by their own oath at the time
Of enlistment that they we're of legal age2
That would settle the question.


Tho Turf I'm America and Its Future.


The popularity of legitimate racing in this
country has reached degree far above the
ideas entertained by the most ardent turfmen
when, only few years ago, they inaugurated
the revival of the sport, which had sunk SO low
that scarcely any thoroughbred horses were
owned in the Northern or Eastern States.


To the Passaic County Agricultural Society,
at Paterson, N. j., is due the credit of taking
the lead in substantial efforts to place racing
upon footing to command the popular favor
and the fact that that society has not been so
successful as some other associations more
favorably located should not cause the patrons
of the turf to forget their obligations to the
genuine turfmen and gentlemen who were the
pioneers In the great movement which has now
accomplished SO much.


After Paterson's temporary success other
localities were sought with view to extend
ing the field Of operations. Philadelphia was
tried in the spring of 1868, with Indifferent sue
cess and abandoned. In August of the same
year meeting was given at the old course at
Saratoga, and its success resulted in the erec-
tion Of the splendid new course at that place,
one Of the most popular racing establishments
that ever existed in this country. The great
success of Saratoga was the basis Of the conf
dence which prompted the organization of
the. American Jockey Club and the building
Of the magnificent Jerome Park establishment,
at which the Inauguration meeting was held in
the fall of 1867, with grand success, and semi
annual meetings continue to be held there
with the most positive evidence Of popular
favor. When 1t was announced that two meet
ings would be held at Saratoga in 1870 many
feared that two summer meetings could not be
supported; but the doubters were very soon
another course would be constructed at Long
Branch, and third summer meeting held
there. All these summer meetings were sue
cessful. Baltimore in the meantime had
established her Maryland Jockey Club, and
constructed handsome course, and upon it
most brilliant fall meeting was held, closing
the years racing in "a manner most gratifying
to all.


For 1871 q still greater number of meetings
will be held-two at Jerome Park, two at
two at Baltimore-with every indication that
we shall have years sport unparalleled in
this country.


The war had, of course, destroyed racing
In the South and Southwest, where most of
the blood horses Of the country were owned in
former times of peace, and the valuable stock
of those sections would have been almost
total loss had not the great revival of racing
In the North opened o market and presented
Inducements to owners to preserve their
covered her ability to indulge in her favorite
sport; and that her turfmen mean business
is evidenced by the fact that the newly or
ganized Metairie Jockey Club at New Orleans
will give $4,000 at a meeting to be held in
April


Such is the field open to enterprising turf
men; and hence 1t is not surprising that many
plucky gentlemen of means are seeking and
possessing themselves of the best race horses
to be obtained, including many from England.
Only few years ago thirty or forty horses at
race course were considered sufficient to in
sure q good meeting. Now they can be
counted by hundreds at each Of the popular
gatherings. This year several new stables will
be organized under the patronage Of some Of
our most wealthy and estimable citizens. In
deed, 1t is an undeniable fact that at this day
the amount Of capital invested in race courses
and race horses in the United States is at
least treble the amount SO invested at any
period before the revival referred to; and the
fact that racing is now in the hands of the
noblest gentlemen of the land is the crowning
assurance of brilliant future for the turf


Numerous sweepstake events are soon to
-close-for Long Branch on the lst Of February,
and for Jerome Park and Saratoga on the Ist
Of March. Many Of the regular fixed events
have long since closed with numerous entries.
For the latter quite brisk business is already
being done by the bookmakers, and after the
LIST Of March the competition between all the
distinguished horses of the country which will
be entered for the events then to close will un-
questionably beget sporting excitement here
tofore unknown in America.





Personal Iuieliiaence.


Mr.. 7. p. Stanton, Ex-Governor OF Kansas now q
prominent lawyer at Washington Is among the
latest arrivals at the Fifth Avenue Hotel.


Mr.. r. II. Rollins, ex-Commssioner of the Inter-