Worcester daily spy., 1871-04-17
The Coming College Regatta.
The Convention nt springfieId-An Assoc
ciatiOn FOrmcd-Fhe Race to be IA
StraiGht-away One-Where ID Will BE,
IREPoRTED FOR THE sPY.l

The question of where the coming college re-
gatta shall take place, and whether the race shall
be turn or straight-away one, has occupied the
attention not only of college men, but also of
some of the leading journals, for some months
past. For several reasons the question has been
a difficult one to decide, and at times it has
seemed as though the only decision that could
be reached would be to do away with the re-
gatta altogether. The appearance in the rcgat-
ia last summer of two new colleges changed es-
sentially the nature of the contest, and rendered
necessary some new provision for the future,
while the unsatisfactory result Of the university
race, kindling as it did into more intense fame
the feud already existing between Harvard and
Yale, entirely precluded the possibility of crews
from those colleges ever again meeting alone on
anything like friendly terms. The circum-
stances connected with this controversy, which
has been going on all winter, between the boat
men of the two leading colleges, are well known
TO the readers of the Spy. Repeated and per-
emptory challenges have been sent from Yale to
Harvard, and these challenges have been as re-
peatedly and peremptoriy disregarded by the
latter much bad feeling has been created, and
the difficulty increased almost beyond healing.
At last, however, with view to settling the
matter, the Harvard gentlemen determined upon
course of action, which, if it receives the sup
port it deserves from the other colleges, bids
fair to settle the pending difficulties, and bury
the bad feeling now existing between Harvard
and Yale. The plan proposed was the torma-
ton of an association, and with view to this,
circulars were sent from Harvard few weeks
since to all the leading colleges where boating
is known to exist, calling upon them to send
delegates to a convention to be held at the Mas
sasoit house, Springfield, Saturday, April IS,
1871. In response to this call, delegates ap-
peared from several of the leading colleges, and
a convention was held at the above mentioned
time and place.
After some preliminary discussion the con-
vention proceeded to the formation of an assO-
citation, which is to be known as "The rowing
association of American colleges" the objects
of which as stated in the constitution are "the
promotion OF the art of rowing among the
members of the colleges belonging to the asso-
citation, by meetings, contests, &C., and the
kindling of that friendly spirit and college feel
ing which ought always to exist between col
leges and gentlemen"
The constitution provides for an annual re-
gatta ofthe association, to be held under the di
rection of regatta committee chosen for that
purpose, and in which no college can take part
that is not a member of the association. 1t is
the duty Of the regatta committee to decide the
time, place, and style of the regatta for each
year, and to offer each year set of champion
flags to be held by the college winning them as
emblems Of the championship for that year
1t is provided, further, that there shall be an
annual meeting of the association at which the
colleges belonging to it shall be represented by
two delegates, and at which the officers shall be
chosen for the ensuing year, and allquestions of
dispute settled, and upon any college belonging
to the association not complying with its
rules is liable to expulsion. As a special pro.
viso for the year 1871 it was provided that any
American college boat club may become mem
ber of the association by sending to the secretary
a written notification to that effect, on or before
the second Wednesday in May, 1871, and by sub
scribng to the constitution and by laws" 1t is
also required that "any member of the associa-
send written notification TO that effect to the
secretary of the association on or before the sec
ond Wednesday in May, 1871"
After the adoption of the constitution, the as
sociation proceeded to the election OF officers for
the year Of 1871, which resulted as follows:
President, C. C. Luther, of Brown university;
Vice President, R. S. Russell, of Harvard; Sec
retary, E. P. Mitchell, of Bowdoin; Treasurer,
A. b. MOrong, of Amherst. Regatta Committee,
G. f. Roberts of Harvard, II. Cornett of Brown,
L. Bradley, Jr, of Amherst, and F. A. Kicker of
Bowdoin.
The regatta committee were then instructed
to examine the different courses and PROPOSE
tions, of Springfield, New London, Fall River
and other places, when they will decide finally
upon the time and place of this years regatta
This decision is to be made in the course of two
or three weeks.
A resolution of thanks was passed to the
| Springfield club, who entertained the delegates
| in a most satisfactory manner, and took every
pains to show them the Springfield course and
accommodations, and the association then adj
! journed to meet at the Bay State house, Wor-
cester, on the first Wednesday in April, 1872.
| No delegates from Yale were present at the
meeting, but desire was expressed by all the
delegates present that Yale might be induced to
enter the association and participate in this
years regatta, and as the prevailing opinion
was in favor of a straght-away race, the main
objection heretofore urged by Yale seems to have
been met, and 1t is to be hoped they will be will
ing to lay aside past differences, and cooperate
| In this new and praiseworthy movement.
The Rhode Island Baptist anniversaries for the
year 1871 will be held in the First Baptist church