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CURTAILMENT AT COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT DECIDES TO BRING MEETING TO AN END ON SATURDAY NEXT. Lack of Patronage and Disinclination of Owners to Start Better Class of Horses Responsible for Cutting of One Week from Schedule. Columbia, S. C, December 23. Racing will terminate here witii the running of the card on Saturday next, December ::o, instead of on January 0. as originally planned. This decision was reached late last night at a conference of thoso financially interested in the meeting at the Fair Grounds. The decision to curtail the meeting followed heavy losses incurred by the promoters, combined with lack of co-operation on the part of owners who refused to start their horses of the better class. Of late there has been a great deal of discontent among those backing the track and it has led to innumerable rumors. One that was generally given credence yesterday was to tho effect that all the principal officials would sever their connections witli the meeting on Monday next. This would include Steward .Nathanson, Judge Brady and starter Milton. The decision to close here on December 30, was probably a potent factor in causing them to change their plans and continue at their posts. Persistent rumors that the meeting would close prematurely, coupled with the adverso weather of the past week, led to a great deal of discontent among owners and race followers. There has been a general desire for positive information regarding the managements plans and todays announcement that the racing will continue until the end of the month will restore conditions In a measure and should result In a better grade of sport during the final week. None of the horsemen or race followers that have been here doubt that this could be made a fruitful racing point under judicious management. The main trouble has been that there were too many having a voice in the conduct of the meetiug, with the inevitable result that there was no management at all. President Charles Lynch, though a recruit to racing, lias proved himself a veritable giant when trouble threatened the sport, and if the entire management had been turned over to him, as it will be in future meetings, lie will conduct it along solid business lines, and a meeting of thirty days preceding Charleston would result in benefit for those backing the venture and the community. " There was a let-up in the wet weather this morning and also a rise in the temperature, which enabled a resumption of the racing this afternoon. A fairly good sized attendance was present. Tho seven layers who have been operating for the past week were again in line and were kept busy. The talent did not fare well, as five of their selections met defeat, including three odds-on choices. Their failure did not result in great profit to the layers, as the sharps landed on the winners. In one instance the books were caught far out of line. This came when First Aid was posted as good as 10 to 1. He had been backed to 4 to 1 at post time. In view of his being held at odds-on in a preceding start when he carried fifteen pounds more than his weight assignment today aud made a fairly good showing, the long price quoted against him today was n big surprise. Several of the finishes were of the close order and were vastly enjoyed by most of the spectators. Highflown, tho only favorite to get home in front, was reported to have been the medium for a betting coup. She led for the entire distance and won quite handily. Profile showed a return to good form by taking the closing dash in decisive fashion after having allowed Semi-quaver to go into a ten-lengths lead in the first half. J. A. Strode, after winning with Toddling, failed to make it a double by the narrowest kind of margin, when Horicon succumbed to Oakley. Sir Edward bled during the running of the fifth race, which accounted for him quitting so suddenly in the homestretch. Jockey Gordon, who suffered a couple of broken ribs and a broken collarbone as a result of a fall while riding Hannah Louise about ten days ago, was about this afternoon. Gordon will leave for his home near Philadelphia on Monday to remain until the opening of spring racing at Pimlico. Tom Hatfields stable, including tho sprinter Emperor William, arrived from Norfolk this morning. Archie Zimmer has succeeded in patching up Caugli Hill, the big Caughnawaga colt that pulled up lame last week. Caugh mils injuries were not as serious as was at first supposed and his ankle has responded to treatment to such an extent that lie will be seen witli the colors tin next week. Spring Frog got tho better of jockey Forsyth after the finish of the sixth race and ran away three miles the reverse way of the track. Hoffman, which showed such a sensational performance here during tho early days of the meeting, is galloping again and going soundly. Attorney-General Lyon, who was absent from the city when the chief justice of the Supreme Court refused to sanction the withdrawal of his suit against the promoters of the race meeting in order, that new proceedings might be instituted, has returned. He says he has nothing to announce with reference to any further move against racing.
