The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-06-25
their duties TO humanity have greater moral
itice than those which they owe to class inte-
rests or ftudal associations

| rests OF ttuCat dttoeiab0nS
THE OCEAN YACHT RAcE.--We regret to SCI
that there is come dissatisfaction amsng yacht
ing men as to the new regulations OF the club
. on we'll as in regard to some decisions founded
! upon those rules A sporting Journal OF con
rl7ernble reputation in its specaiity-we refe,
70 ,'orter's Spirit Of the Tmes-has printed .
pop1ens communication from a yaebtmaa set
ting fourth IS facts the following points,
/. That it 20 appreaended that the ocean race
which Is projected to take place in July will ne
come off, if it il sailed at sll, with as muct
spirit az the occaA ION demands.
g. That this app 'ehension is wei! founded
that there is great deal Of dissatisfaction Us go
the new method of meaA urenent for the classiflca
ton OF the yachts and the allowance OF time.
8 That there is some diA satisfaction az to he
decisions Of the Regatta ComAaittee when pro
tests have been made against thu apparent win.
ming yacht The instances giver N e those Of the
Julia, which shortened her course ny go'ng to
the westward Of one Of the buoys, whiie tn
other yachts went around it. The julia, how
ever, received the prize. Also the awarding Q!
the prize to the Haswell ia the late race, when
it is claimed that she did not sail the race &c
cording to the rules. Ccntrasted with this is
given the decision which ruled the Rebecca out
OF the ocean race last year because she went
through Plum Gut instead Of the Race, when
the printed directions did not prohibit her
from so doing, aud when it was apparent
tbat she gained nothing by the alleged cut the
other yachts being abreast Of her after she had
passed through the Gut, and yet che beating
BEN home by some four hours time. Ia the
case Of the Rebecca, as well as the Haswel
mistakes are alleged, and yet the first is ruled
out, while the second receives the prize.
Now, these are inferential charges which con-
Germ the members of the Ciun-the fountain
bead Of American yachtipg-more than the ge-
ueral public. 1t is for yachting me0 to pas
upon them. But if such state of things does
exist it is due to the reputation Of the Club that
a reform should be Initiated. Such irregular
not to say partial decisions, are contrary to the
spirit of fair play which should be the prime
rule In all sporting matters, aud particularly in
yachting, which is a thoroughly gent!emaniy
sport, carried on by gentlemen at their own ex
pense, and entirely from love of ii. We believe
we are justified in saying that no yacht CLUB in
Epgiand could exist for a day if it was not quite
clear that the decisions of lis sxiDg committees
we're not clear of the faintes. suspicion Of par
tiaity.
However these things may be, we trust that
they will not interfere materially with the pro
posed ocean race the course from
Sandy Hook to Cape May is the best
and the fairest that could be found. The first
class yachts are all in good condition, and their
owners are anxious-other things being equal
to test their qualities. Aud they should ali
have fair chance In great maritime city
like this yachting should be upheld and en-
couraged in every way. Our trim sloops and
schooners should be ready for sea service at ali
times, as are the fine English yachts, and the
idea of their louDging in the smooth water o.
iand-locked harbors, or creeping lazily along the
banks Of sleepy rivers, is absurd. Yachting men
should spend the summer at sea, aud struggle
for the laurels of victory off souudiDgs. Then
there is some excitement some can win
some real glory-then, by comparison Of models
and sailing qualities, some real practical good
may be attained.
We should conceive it to he very great mis-
fortune if the proposed ocean race fell through
1t would seriously damage the reputation Of the
Club abroad, andIcertainly would not improve it
at home.