RECOLLECTIONS OF MEN AND HORSES 



been slowly elaborated through an incalculable num- 

 ber of successive species, as these branched Into gen- 

 era, families, and orders of the existing class." The 

 fast trot Is an acquired or developed character, and 

 experience shows that use through successive genera- 

 tions has confirmed or Intensified It on the thorough- 

 bred foundation. Messenger was a thoroughbred 

 runner, and his lineal descendant, Hambletonlan, 

 founded an ever-expanding family of trotters. In 

 breeding developed speed to developed speed, fric- 

 tion has been eliminated from the trot and the rate 

 of speed Increased to a wonderful degree. 



Major McDowell was at one time prominent in 

 the councils of the National Association of Trotting 

 Horse Breeders. The discussion over taking out 

 a certificate of membership In the National Trotting 

 Association for the government of races created so 

 much dissension In 1878 that McDowell resigned as 

 President of the Breeders' Association, Edwin Thorne 

 withdrew from the ofSce of Vice President, and 

 David Bonner retired from the Board of Censors. 

 Then McDowell joined A. J. Alexander, R. West, 

 J. C. McFerran, R. S. Veech, and L. Brodhead in 

 the publication of the " Breeders' Trotting Studbook." 

 One volume was Issued, and then the work was aban- 

 doned. In the latter part of 1883 I advocated the 

 publication of a trotting studbook by the National 

 Trotting Association. In the petition, addressed to 

 members of the National Trotting Association, these 

 words were used : 



156 



