The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1870-07-12
THE LEE-NATCHEZ RACE.

-Erum lhe 81. LInI. RernIllcan.

Ia accordance with the wishes of many
person. that should give nay views con.
corning the Legitimacy, ia u racing sense,
Of tho means used Nv the commanders al
| the steamers Il. T.. Lee and Nntchcz, to
| excel in their great race from New Orleans
to this city, | offer through the columns Of
the Rym5iicoa the following
1t was right and proper for the COM
n anders of both boats 90 use all means in
their power to facilitate the getting of fuel
on the way; but neither had the right to
use the steam power of another boat to
help in making Roadway up the river. In
the case of the Pargoud, dashed 90 the Lee,
and stcamng with all her power whilst de-
ltvering n load Of pine wood 10 the Lee, no
one can deny that this boat was aided and
helped faster and further on her course
than she would have been if only her own
power had been used. This was n clear
ease Of the power Of two boats being used
for some miles along the river in race
against single opponent, and MS the
race was between two boats only,
the one against the other, the
propelling power Of the Pargoud, used to
place the Lee further up the river ut a
given time than her own power could have
propelled her, is illcgitimato and unfair,
and, rs in all cases of races of every char
actcr where money is ut stake, parties
using unfair means are entitled 10 nothing
and must be denied record The fact
that there were no expressed rules were
agreed upon as regards the means 10 be
used by the two contestants TO cain their
object does not give the right TO use any
sort Of medHst to win.
In the absence of expressed rules
or law, justice becomes the arbiter and all
parties must submit to her decree. The
principles which allows one steamer To use
the steam power Of another boat during
the running of n race would allow the aid
of amy number Of boats on the way. There
would be no limit to the amount of foreign
| power that each could use aud instead of
n race between two contestants, the whole
river craft might be engaged to push and
| pull ut all times and places where their
| power could in any way aid the racing
boats, making the whole affair II ridiculow
farce instead of legitimate and fai,
contest
The question of an inferior power or ~
assistant docs not justify the use of tn
power possessed. II is said that the Pal
goud is about as fast rs the hes, of steam
crs. But admitting that she Is not So ia
as the Lee the right 10 use her steam pow
or ut time when when she material
helped the Lee along carrie, with il d
right TO use any other foreign power, eve
though that power should be vastly sup
rior TO the power of the boat aided in Il
race, and could incrcasr her speed sever,
miles per hour.
In regard 20 money bet that cortai
places or ports would be reached first h
the ono or the other of the racing boat
or within given time, the party loses
the boat lac let on did not make a laudin,
Cairo was not touched by either boat, an
Justice requires that both boat, should /
condemned rs regards time made to tina
place and the money withdrawn.
All money bet ON position is lost, pre-
yiled the competing boat landed.
Money bet on the time of the arrival ,
either one Of the boats at any named Dor
]. lost unless the boat named touched I'll
shore or the wharf which communicate
with tho shore. II IL be- true that the lie
did not touch ut Nuichcz 80 w. 10 consti
tutc landing ut that port, she is not eli
titled 10 record at that place. and none,
bet on her getting 10 that port by Ger
tain time j. los,. Running by n port /
not going to ii, aud cannot bc claimed II
| Az arrival.
. When money /, siakcd on n race Their,
must he somc rule tn govarn tho decision
Tho absolute right of party in race I,
Use any sort of mean, 30 secure his aim /
not in harmony with the principle
of justice, and cannot be rccog
nized. The steamer Pargoud helpe(
with her steam power in getting the Lee
further up ,her,ycr by II certain time tina,
this boat could have propelled los u.in.
her own power alone. The Lee did no
reach the end Of her Face by hcrown powc
alone aud she i, not entitled to the race il
consequence. Nor doe. the belief that hi
steamer might have under otter circum
stances reached other place, in advance O
her rival entitle her 10 the first position
The fact that she called 10 her aid III
sieampowcr of another boat which hclpe
her ON making Roadway up the rive
makes the race o" her part a failure nm
all bets between the Ice and Natchez ar
lost ON the Lee from the time she used Il,
sieampowcr of the Pargoud to help her i
the race"
J.C. KAY.