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1 S I s I • I ■ 1 I • :1 ■ i , t 1 j c , J ] 1 I 1 [ * :l ; J ] , i , , , , 1 , , RACING SENTIMENT STRONG SOLID CITIZENS OF CHARLESTON PRESENT EXPRESSION TO THEIR LEGISLATORS. Petition Presented by Those in Oposition Makes Poor Showing in Comparison — Rule Announced to Regulate Surplus of Entries. Charleston, S. C, January 4. — An expression of sentiment toward local racing was given this afternoon when a petition signed by two-thirds of Charlestons property holders and business men was presented to the eight members of the state legislature from this county, at Hie annual meeting held in the Chamber "i Commerce preceding the departure of the legislators to assume their duties at the capital in Columbia. There was also a petition presented requesting legislation to prevent racing. The i eti-tion in opposition made a weak showing in ompari son with the strong arguments advanced by th« many solid and influt ntial business men why the legislature should take no action hostile to the racing. Among the speakers In behalf of racing were Capt. V. W. Wagener. W. M. Bird, H. Wiliensky and others. If the sentiment shown today is a true index, them is only a remote possibility that the legislators from this county will seek to pass any anti-racing measures during the coming term of the legislature. There was a break in the weather today and it enabled the full force of workers to be employed in the finishing of the track and plant. The hard rain of yesterday left things in had condition and the soge,y condition of the ground hampered the laborers considerably. General Manager rims eoa-tiimes sanguine that everything will be in good condition for the opening on Wednesday next. His vit wa arc shared by those familiar with construction work, but to the unitiated there seems a mass of work still to be gone through with before the plant is in a thoroughly completed state. The continuous arrivals of horsemen and their horses, in spite of the managements desire that they should delay coming until adequate accommodations for them are available, is causing a good deal of confusion and annoyance, as in many Instances quarters have to be hurriedly constructed. The building of stables continues without cessation and many of the carpenters who were on the job of constructing the grandstand have been called to the aid of the stable constructors. According to th" present indications there will be at least twelve layers in line on the opening day. including Tom Shaw. Joe Bose. Joe Illume. Henry Haines. Eugene Austin. Harry Gardner, Charles Walters. Bete McGrath and Oscar Cachmau. Todays arrivals included James Mac.Manus. whose horses will arrive here on Saturday next and will be handled by T. J. Shannon. The list will include Presumption, Tay Bay, Star ORyan and several two-year olds. W. A. Burttsehell came from Houston. Tex., and arranged for Ihe shipment of his horses here from Columbia. W. B. Burch. who will serve as the presiding Steward, is expected to arrive tomorrow from Wash ington. D. C. The club has adopted a sensible rule in regard to racs iu whi.li there may happen to be a surplus of entiles. The rule reads as follows: "la all overnight selling or purse races where there are mere than fourteen entries in a race, there shall be a throw-out list recorded. Any horse drawn out of said race shall be eligible to" start in same race, provided a horse is withdrawn from said race up lo 10 oclock. The lirst horse in the eligible list shall be the tirst horse entitled to start, hut if owner or trainer of such horse dees not declare bis intention ■• start by , o-ven oclock, then the n.xt one in the list shall have the next Chance ■• start, and so on in said race until the list shall have been exhausted. Any owner or trainer having a borse in Ihe eligible list and not declaring a wll lingness to start before twelve oclock 1 n. shall mil be entitled to start in said race under this rub." Another rule that is regarded with general favor i- thai no horses will he allowed to carry bandages unless by perinissi f the stewards, and then only iu case thai the horse actually has had !ev,v and is iii 1 d of this equipment, or by recommendation of tin- track veterinarian.
