The New York herald., 1872-08-30
THE AMATEUR 0ARSluEN.
The Final Proceedings of the
National Convention.
The Definition of an ANA
teur Oarsman.
ADOPTION OF CODE OF RACING RULES

The National Convention Of Amateur Oarsmen
reassembled yesterday morning at ten O'Clock.
The Convention was not called to order until
shortly before eleven O'Clock in order to secure a.
better attendance. Mr.. J. NJ Ferguson, the Presi-
dent after calling the Convention to order, or
dered Secretary Stoepel, of the Excelsior Club OF
Detroit to call the roll. Twenty-one clubs were
represented, after which the minutes of the pre-
vous session were read ana adopted.
The President then called for the report Of the
Committee Of Seven upon the definition OF an
amateur Oarsman and code OF racing rules. Mr..
J. G. Pinkerton, the chairman OF the committee,
then read the report, which was accepted. DR..
withers, OF the Atalanta Club, then moved to
adopt the report as whole. An amendment was
offered to hear IN sections, and further amend
ment to take 1t mp In clauses was accepted.
The first cause--"We define an amateur oarsman
to be one who does not enter in an open cOmpeti-
tionn-was carried with much opposition Mr.. Rlce
OF the jamaica Club, Boston, stated that the ANA
teur clubs and the college clubs East had been in
the habit Of pulling In open competition with pro-
fessionas. and he did not see any objection to such
an action. Mr.. Rice was, however, very much in
the minority.
The second clause--"Or for either stake public
or admission money or entrance fees''-brought up
a lively debate. Mr.. Buermeyer, Of the New York
Athletic Club stated that he did not see any Objec-
tion to amateurs pulling for money among them
selves. Although there was similar rule to the
above in existence now, he did not remember one
single match between amateurs in which there had
not been money staked, although they might nomi-
nally pull for a S25 cup. Several others spoke on
the question: and the resolution finally carried
intact by vote of "a to 3 the Athletic ana Argu-
nauta Clubs voting against the clause.
The third clause "compete with or against
professional for any prizen-agan brought Mr.
Rice of Boston, on his legs, he arguing against the
clause. Mr.. Parsons and Mr.. Babcock both spoke
in its support and it finally carried by "a to 2,
the Jamaica and Union Clubs OF Boston voting
against 1t.
Fourth clause--"or who has never taught, pur-
sued or assisted in the pursuit OF athletic exercises
as q means Of livelihood" This clause was carried
with only one dissenting voice, the delegate from
the Malta Club, OF Philadelphia.
Fifth clause-"or has not been employed IN or
about boats on the water.n This question started
the yes debate N Of the as It Sas% pet
words "or on the water" brought good many
delegates to their feet, who thought II was carrying
things rather Tar to exclude naval officers, cap
tains clerks paymasters, &c. An amendment was
offered substituting boat builders, anitors OF boat
but was voted down. The word waterman was
also offered by Mr. Tucker, OF the Undine Barge
of the Wah Wah Sum Club OF Saginaw, Mich,
livened up little on the clause and spoke against
the Injustice OF ruling out lumber and raitsmep,
at polling their rats. (The Wah Wah Sum crew are
composed OF lumber and raftsmen, and are the
crack crew Of the Vest. Mr.. Dexter, Of the Mar
ragansett Club then rose and replied to Mr.. Rust,
saying that the object of the clause was distinctly
to exclude such men In whose favor he spoke.
They had many advantages over the ordinary
amateur, and they had lately had practical expe.
rience OF what they could 40, as the Wah Wah Sum
Northwestern Association. Mr.. Baily, of the Ana
losta Club OF Washington, then moved to split the
clause and take the Sr has not been
cepted and the above half Of the clause, i've
clubs voting against it. The remainder, cor on
with only one asserting voice, the Excesiors OF
Detroit. Mr.. Dexter then proposed as substi-
tute I'm manual labor To- S % on the WA water" which was
letic, Excelsior, Friendship, Gucks, Gramercy,
Mutual, Ridgeneld, vesper, vesper OF Philadelphia,
The whole section was then taken up and
adopted.
The rules on racing were then brought up and
quietly adopted excepting one which read :-"ln
turning races each competitor shall have separate
turning stake, and shall turn from starboard to
port" This set them all on their feet many claimed
that nine-tenths OF the boats were rigRcd with q
starDoard stroke and would prefer to turn from
port to starDoard. some were IN favor OF leaving
Tucker thought that not advisable, but suggested
that the regatta committees should have that
some time previous to the in order to practise
the turn according to orders. DR.. Withers thought
all, there was very little advantage to be gained in
1t, and the quickness depended mainly on the bow
oar.
A gentleman then moved to strike the rule out
altogether, and his motion was adopted.
Mr.. DEXTER offered as a substitute rule vesting
the power in the umpire, but It was voted down.
starb0ard and his motion was adopted by vote OF
15 to IL.
The section was then adopted as o whole.
Colonel MASON then offered resolution that no
person shall be allowed to compete in race unless
he shall have been member of his club for eight
An amendment was offered TO alter the time to
three months.
Mr.. DEXTER then offered resolution to lay the
motion on the table, which was carried.
The Convention then adjourned until three p. NJ.
The afternoon session was smly attended A
resolution was adopted that the Committee or
Seven with two others added, be continued a. a
Judiciary Committee, with power to elect their own
tnis body whenever in their heir judgment they seem
1t-keeping In view the advancement OF the OBJ
jects for which this Convention was called. Mr..
celsior, and Mr.. Bust, OF the Wah Wan Sum Club,
were nominated for the two vacancies on the Judi
ciary Committee, and the two former were elected.
Some discussion then arose as to the best means
OF raising funds to pay the expenses OF the COnven
tion. resolution was finally passed assessing
each club $40. Resolutions we're then passed
unanimously giving vote OF thanks to their OFF,
GERS and also to the press for Its notices OF their
OUlngS JIlc COuLlJtct tutu TeblTeu, anu SuOTLy
afterwards returned and announced their election
OF Officers. The Judiciary Committee now COM
prises:-
]. q. Babcoek, President, Nassau Club, Harlem,
N. Y.
James watson, Secretary, ATLANTA Club, New
York.
J, c. Pinkerton, Treasurer, West Philadelphia
Club, Pa.
T. A. Parsons riverside Club, Rochester, N. Y.
Ii. b. Rice, Union Cub, Boston, Mass.
g. II. Roberts, Passaic Club, Newark, N. J.
o. Bailey, Analostan Club, Washington, d. c.
II. Johnson, Excelsior Club Detroit, N. Y.
Several resolutions were then offered fixing
day and place for the national regatta, Philadelphia
aud Springfield both being named. They were
voted down and resolution was adopted empow-
ering the Judiciary Committee to make all such ar
rangements vote OF thanks was then rendered
by the Convention to Messrs Watson and Curtis
for the interest they had taken In calling them to-
eether. resolution was also adopted authorizing
the Judiciary Committee to have the Secretary's re-
port Of their business printed and distributed to
the different clubs. Mr.. PinkertOn then announced