Jockeys Union Gets a Black Eye: Merry-Go-Round Officials Suspend Eight the New Orleans Farce, Daily Racing Form, 1907-08-31

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JOCKEYS UNION GETS A BLACK EYE. Merry-go-Round Officials Suspend Eight The New Orleans Farce. Last Wednesday, according to the account of the New Orleans Picayune, Avas an eventful day at the Louisiana Racing and Driving Clubs half-mile merry-go-round. Eight of the leaders in the Jockeys Protective Union were suspended and ordered oft the grounds and before the day was done one negro valet and a white sympathizer Avere shown to the gates. This is the Picayunes version of what happened: "The expected clash between the jockeys and judges came before Rices, the oilicials taking a firm stand and indefinitely suspending the following riders: Windy Boss, D. Hall, Llndsey, Harris, Dalnietee, Bayliss, Fogg, Golden and J. Speck Dale, president of the newly organized Jockeys Protective Union. "The otllcials of the track declined to treat with the union, and the thirty-five jockeys and stable boys who still remain in good standing and Avorking order at the track, are keeping piiet on the matter of a general strike, so that racing bids fair to continue undisturbed by the recent unpleasantness. Ross, Hall anil the others were suspended for disrespect to the judges and ugly behavior when they were being weighed in. They were leaders in the endeaAor to have a petition granted whereby they could weigh in and ride at ten pounds above or below the scale at any time, and are a heavy set of fellows who were greatly displeased Avhen the oilicials steadily refused to grant their unusual demand. The other part of the petition relating to more certain methods of payment for riding was readily granted by the oilicials. "The formation of the union followed the fining and suspensions of jockeys Hall and Ross and the lining of jockey Fogg on Tuesday. The utmost secrecy Avas observed and nearly every rider at the track gathered at the accustomed haunt on Mystery street, near the Fair Grounds. Officers were elected and resolutions passed. The racing oilicials got wind of the doings and decided to make a clean I I sweep of the most troublesome of the unionists, I I I I I I ladling the lemonade out to the select few mentioned when they reported for work yesterday. Jockey Carter -denied having been elected secretary of the union, and is still in good standing. "Force had to be employed to oust only olie of the valets attending the jockeys suspended. This was a big negro scout ministering to jockey Lindseys needs and his ejection from the jockeys quarters over the paddock came shortly after the first race and caused some excitement. The riders placed under the ban had gathered their belongings quietly and departed before the races had well started, but Lindseys negro came back to, the quarters, slipped by the doorkeeper and up the stairs where the boys who had not been suspended and refused to strike, are kept during the races. The aged doorkeeper saw the negro had bis badge and not until Frank Kenner, In charge of policing the track, heard that the negro was attempting to bulldoze the little fellows remaining in the loft, was any objection made to his presence. "Kenner immediately entered the quarters and the black man was told to hike. Being somewhat slow and very abusive of the jockeys who broke faith witli the union, the negro was deprived of his badge and helped along witli kicks and cutTs until he broke through the paddock where the talent were taking notes on the ponies about to start and got out of the inclosure In quick time. Kenner is it special policeman and could have arrested the negro for trespass, preferring, however, to merely get him out of the grounds. A white man, known to lie a rather doubtful devotee of the sport of kings, requested Kenner to desist in a harsh manner, and was in turn ejected from the grounds, two coppers doing the Job this time at Kpmera request. "Rather sad, this unfruitful fate of the first Jockeys Protective Union known to history. Conceived in the brilliant Brains of juggling jockeys working In the local bullrings, it could hardly he expected to carry much strength, for few of them regard their promises except as it suits them. Strong and Immediate action by a crushlngly powerful opposition gave the union decldely ,tlie worst of the deal yesterday and time alone will tell what the future holds for the errant urchius."


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1900s/drf1907083101/drf1907083101_3_4
Local Identifier: drf1907083101_3_4
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800