156 



The Driving Clubs of Greater Boston 



This one trotted Readville in 2:12 at four, 

 but went wrong during some cooling out 

 heat, or else sprained a ligament while being 

 led, or slipped on the platform while shipping 

 and all that, and always, too, are they tried, 

 blistered and turned out. yet one more sea- 

 sun, etc., and the Tertimins, Travelessos, 

 Tregantles, Anna Maces, Azotes, and vari- 

 ous "others that have had small fortunes spent 

 educating, car-traveling and "experiencing" 

 them are far more numerous than the mere 

 reader realizes. 



Vet, sometime, you too may have one to 

 go trot or pace a quarter around 30 seconds 

 handsomely, and so early in life it does seem 

 a sure' two minute proposition, with the 

 William or Baden sweep of the big lint- 

 stakes, then the subsequent sale to some 

 wealth,- enthusiast for sensational money. 

 Anticipatory moments are, however expen- 

 sive, ofttimes sw5.et, and it is after all the one 

 threat gamble — will he keep sound, get the 

 one day with just his track and that flag that 

 hangs limp at the posthead on the grand- 

 stand i 



National Trotting Association Was Or- 

 ganized in 1870 at Providence, R. I. 



The National Trotting Association was or- 

 ganized as a voluntary association in February, 

 1870. under the name of the National Associ- 

 ation for the Promotion of the Interests of the 

 American Trotting Turf, which name was 

 changed for the present one at the biennial 

 congress held in 1878; and in 1884 the organ- 

 ization became incorporated under the charter 

 then procured. 



The inaugurating meeting in 1870 was 

 composed of delegates representing the lead- 

 ing trotting parks of the country assembled 

 upon the invitation of the Xarragansett Park 

 Association of Providence. That invitation 

 was issued in the Fall of 1869, and, referring 

 to the abuses which had become prevalent at 

 trotting meetings, proposed the formation of 

 a national trotting association and the estab- 

 lishment of a code of rules for the govern- 

 ment of all as the surest means of correcting 

 those abuses, and of elevating and protecting 

 the standing and character of the American 

 trotting turf. That invitation received the 

 indorsement and support of the press 

 throughout the country, and resulted in an 

 earnest and enthusiastic meeting, which, dur- 

 ing a three days' session, framed and adopted 

 a ci >de 1 if laws, elected officers and accom- 

 plished the initial organization. 



The first president of the association was 

 Amasa Sprague, of Providence, who resigned 

 the office at the congress of 1876, when he 



was succeeded by C. W. Woolley, of Cin- 

 cinnati ; then, upon the resignation of the 

 latter, the congress of 1880 elected to the 

 office lames Grant, of Davenport, la., who 

 held the office until February 8, 1888, when, 

 upon his declining a re-election, P. P. John- 

 ston, of Lexington, Ky., the present incum- 

 bent, was elected. 



The first secretary was George H. Smith, 

 of Providence, who, in August, 1872. was 

 succeeded by D. F. Longstreet, also of 

 Providence, who resigned in July, 1874, 

 when Thomas J. Vail, of Hartford, was 

 chosen. Mr. Vail held the office until May. 

 1887, and, upon his resignation, M. M. 

 .Morse, of Paw Paw, 111., was appointed. He 

 res : gned in December, 1895, and W. H. 

 Gocher, of Cleveland. < )., the present secre- 

 tary, was elected. 



Under the first code, annual meetings of 

 the members were held until 1874, when an 

 amendment was adopted establishing bi- 

 ennial meetings. At these meetings (or con- 

 gresses), the by-laws and rules are revised 

 and new ones enacted, and the president ar 

 vice-presidents and district members of the 

 board of appeals are chosen — the secretary 

 and treasurer being appointed by the board 

 of review. 



Horses Enjoy Human Companionship 



The fact that, with few exceptions, all ani- 

 mals enjoy human companionship, and. that 

 the horse ranks first in his appreciation of 

 sociabilitv, is fully appreciated by all who un- 

 derstand equine nature. The amount and 

 quality of conversation used in giving com- 

 mands, or in censuring the animal when a 

 command has been misinterpreted, is not 

 sufficient. Take advantage of every oppor- 

 tunity that offers to give your charge a 

 friendly word or pat ; it will encourage him 

 td greater efforts and incidentally will place 

 you on more friendly terms with yourself. 



The horse fully realizes when one speaks 

 to him kindly; and although some so-called 

 human beings may not always appreciate the 

 kindly tone, the horse always does. The 

 horse that trusts his master will do anything 

 he can for him, which is not the promise of a 

 politician, either. The horse will do or die. 



One of the secrets of all skilled trainers 

 and teachers is a low, well-modulated voice, 

 which is much more effective than harsh 

 words or a whip. This is most especially 

 true of the horse whose sensitive, excitable 

 nature makes him so miserable and unstrung 

 when angry words are yelled at him that he 

 loses his head entirely, and the lesson such 

 words were intended to convey is not only 

 lost, but a bad effect is produced. 



