290 MINOR EVILS OF THE RACE-COURSE. 



It may be pertinent to our topic to inquire briefly what 

 is the extent of the power vested in racing authorities. 

 The general routine and management of the race-meeting 

 devolve upon the clerks of the course and the lessees under 

 the acknowledged, but seldom obtruded, guidance of the 

 stewards of the respective meetings ; and it will be appro- 

 priate if I submit a few extracts from the late Admiral 

 Rous's book on horse-racing, in which he gives his opinion 

 on the subject : 



" It will be well," says the Admiral, " for a gentleman who 

 undertakes the duties of a steward at a country race-meeting, 

 to be informed of the habilities he takes upon himself in 

 accepting that office, and of the rights and privileges conferred 

 upon him by virtue of it. In law a steward is hable in respect 

 of all things done or ordered in his name, by his authority, 

 either expressly or impliedly given." 



A little further on we read : 



"As a general rule it may be taken that during the day 

 of racing, the race-course and enclosures are in the legal 

 possession of the stewards, and that they have for all pur- 

 poses connected with the races, the authority of the owner of 

 the ground to order off every person whose removal they deem 

 desirable." 



The removal of the objectionable persons here alluded to is 

 no doubt that of defaulters in respect of stakes or bets lost on 

 horse-racing, and those who misconduct themselves in other 

 ways ; and others who having been proved guilty of any 

 malpractices on the turf, had been warned not to attend 

 under penalty of expulsion. But it is clear that authority, 

 and authority brief in its action and potent in its con- 

 sequences, is vested in racing officials, and it therefore seems 

 feasible that similar excellent enactments might be put in 



