Year: 1875




to the list of papers which assign to every
complaint from Louisiana political cause.
Some correspondent writes to complain of
the pcstponement in April of the spring
meeting for one week, and there is an edi
torial tempest in q teapot on the instant.
New Orleans, social triumphs of old Me
tairie, brutal ignorance in Office, untram-
meled politics, courtesy to Mississippians,
is made TO bubble, bubble until the reader
is at a loss to separate the toll and trouble
of the government of the State from race
course. The article indicates an opinion
that sound politics in the owner is Of more
importance on the turf than q pedigree
without flaw in the horse.


The letter comes from some one with
very sore spot, but fails to indicate exactly
where it is situated. The causes of COM
plaint are that the meeting was postponed
one week. that Mr.. Howard voted for it,
that some one wanted Mr.. Minor to with
draw Falmouth and he wouldn't do it, and
some one wanted to buy his jockey and he
wouldn't sell. Rather Insignificant CON-
plants, but the Turf, Field and Farm gives
column to them in its issue of May %
Some things please the writer, for while
every one else sympathized with Mr.. How
ard On account Of the accidents he had to
contend with. "Fordhan" says his horses
we're the only ones benefited by the delay,
and adds, with much maliciousness, that
they "were not fully up to their work, and
never will be again." The animus Of the
writer is further shown in fling at Bob
Swan for his honesty in say ing, mo money
on earth can Or revent me from riding for
Captain Minor" by remarking he probably
had his own interest more at stake than
friendship for Captain Minor. If there
were any inducements offered to throw a
race the club can probably take care of the
matter. These attacks "Focdham" consid-
ers it his ''solemn duty to make, but Turf,
Field and Farm should have adhered to it's
first impression, and consigned the letter to
the waste basket.


The comp laints made are only worth
noticing because Of the prominence given
to them. That Mr.. Minor and his rider
acted honorably it is just to relate, but that
fact is complimen tary to every other con-
testant at the course, and to the club, for if
they had not sup posed others as honorable
they would have Withdrawn. The real
cause of complaint, the pOstponemOnt, was
a benefit to the track, the public and the
treasury of the club. 1t was commended
by every body al nd advocated by all New
Orleans papers, for the roads at the original
time set we're almost impossible. The re
suit Of the postpo nement was race-track
in capital order, horses in condition to make
close contest and a most delightful week,
long to be rem embered. "Fordham's" in
coherent letter is rather inconsistent in de-
nouncing the pos tponement as enough, in
his mind, to drive ali confidence away,
break up racing on that track, cause the
Louisiana Jockey Club to- drop their
diminished heads and die unhonored and
unsung. and then state in the next para
graph:


The people Of this once glorious country
have added another mark of appreciation
to the sports of the turf, by turning out in
thousands to witness the four-mile heat
race, on Saturday, the last day of our spring
meeting.


This is sufficient answer to the COM
plants of "Fordham."


For the benefit of the Turf, Field and
Farm, little inform alton of what the Lou
isiana Jockey Club is, is furnished. 1t is a
chartered association of wealthy and re-
fined gentlemen owning handsome racing
grounds and ap poin time nts, an elegant club
house, and poss essipg the esteem of every
disinterested person in New Orleans. Many
of the members own racing studs, others
do not but are equally desirous of pro-
noting the best interests of the turf. All
are devoted to securing the prosperity of
the club and with this object in view wei
come lovers of the turf from all parts of
the country, and try and make their stay
agreeable. They do their utmost to give
pleasure to the people of the city and it's
guests, and the return they ask is in fair
proportion to that of other caterers to
public love of am usement. Almost all the
members of the old Metairie Club are men,
bers of this club and are proud of it.
Politics are unknown in its charmed circle
and caucus was never held, but it is safe
to assert it would be impossible to obtain
majority of Repu blican votes. If one visits
the grounds Saturday afternoon. or when
there is music at the club, he will find the
best families Of the city enjoying the
pleasure.


One thing noticeable is the strict enforce
ment OF the rules of the club Tickets are
required for admission, and yearly subscrip
tions must be paid. Much circumspection
j exercised in giving out badges when
there is racing, and they are difficult for
persons to obtain unless they are entitled
to then. Deco rum is observed at all times,
and there is no opportunity to drink with
the judges on the stand, for this was pre-
vented from beco ming bar-room by rule
adopted at the inception of the club. As
"Fordham does not complain of these things
it may be presumed he is not inconve-
nienced by them and appreciates their
utility.


The stands are thrown open to the public,
and some objection has been made to it,
But the expenses of the club are very
heavy, and measu to increase receipts
must be resorted to. AS there can be made
the same comparison of what is received
for the money between the old Metalrie and
the present club as between the old race
courses on Long Island and jerome Park
the infiction can be endured.