The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-20
ROWING.
The Atalanta Boat Club W.. the London Row.
iuw Gluh.

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The ATLANTA Boat Club W.. the London Row.
Ing Club.
This prospective match is talked OF, not with un-
abating but constantly increasing interest. AL
true lovers OF sport sincerely desire 10 see this
match coasummated without any OF the unfortu-
nately usual) controversies which seem to be part
and parcel OF every important match race. Judg-
ing rom the tenor OF the correspondence which has
so far passed between these two well known and
highly esteemed organizattons we are inclined to
believe That In this case we need anticipate any.
thing which may tend TO weaken the favorable i'm
pressions which the members Of the above men,
toned clubs nave apparently conceived OF one an
other.
With some misgiving we notice lengthy ed
tOrial IN the London Field, OF March g. entitled,
"Amercan Amateurs" That our readers may not
remain ignorant OF what IL taking place we make
q few extracts from the article alluded to-
From letter which has published In the
New York World OIL February 3, it would seem that
some OF the members OF last years ATLANTA Boat
Club are not bona fde amateurs, or ut least that
there Is some doubt upon the subject. TINS matter
should be settled at once, and it seems desirable
that tue London Rowing Club should ms itute In-
qulres to the qualifications OF the members OF the
Atlanta CluD. snort time since our correspond.
ent "Argonaut,' had letter addressed to hun by
an American gentleman, VINO had been appointed
to collect all the materials he could as to the denni-
ton OF amateurs In this country. for the members
Oh the dinerent clubs In the states considered
their definition Insufficient and wished TO estab-
lush one which should Dlnd all rowing assoca-
one club In the United States mas ever adopted
any proper definition or an amateur, and taar
their regattas. The Hudson Amateur Rowing Asso-
cation debars from rowing in Its regattas "any man
VINO ever rOwed Tor money or with professional, or
IN a regatta open to all comers or VINO was ever
ready and willing to be matched against any Oars-
man ior MONEY" The Northwestern Amateur Boat
Ing association declares 'thaC no club crew snail
compete In our regatras which has profess Onal or
paia oarsmen In It's crew, or when shall have In It's
crew any man or men who shall compete for prize
IN money IN any race with a crew or man not be-
lonelng to the association without first obtaining
PERMISSION from the Executive Board. .
Inc Northwestern Association crews are generally
composed OF raltsmen or loggers-a class OF men
very similar to our bargers-and there seems
to be no law at all to prevent sailors from
rowing az amateurs, n they nave not pulled for
fatLering 10 American amateur Craftsmanship, con-
cludes thus:-"There can be no doubt that there Is
denntlon OF an amateur on tnls side the Atlantic;
anu some day IT NAV be necessary to have meet
Ing to decide the question, doubt all regatta
cOnmltteeS would agree upon the subject, bearing
IN MIND The discussion which took place In these
columns last summer. 1t has been asked II We take
notice Of the dOlngs Of amateurs abroad. 10 this
query 1t must be answered That some time back we
did not 40 so; but now that International contests
are becoming common 1t DehO0veS US TO see that no
one takes advantage OF our amateurs, and that
those VINO contend against them do so on equal
terms, which can hardly be the case II their COM
petitors are to all intents and purposes profess
siOnalS."
The letter referred to In the beginning was an
anonymous communication, which had been offered
to several newspapers, but was rejected by all
cept the World.
The day following spirited reply appeared In
the columns Of the Tur. Fietd ana Farm. which we
know was heartily approved OF by all who had no
personal feelings In the matter actuated by
still baser motives. From the tenor OF the cor
re spondence between the two clubs we would sup
pose that this miserable miscarriage Of diseased
Imagination would have no weight with the men,
bers OF an organization who assert that they have
the utmost confidence IN the integrity Of their chal
lengers But we must naturally incline TO the be-
lief that this article could not nave emanated from
the pen OF the aquatic editor oil the Feid witnout
the cOgn1zance OF some or all or the members or
the London Rowing Club.
we sincerely nope that our pr0verblany correct
'Yankee-guesslng,' may this time prove at fault;
but there Is denying that the ungenerous article
referred to Will cast q cloud upon an event, whlCn
III the beginning, appeared TO be surrounded by the
genial sun SHINE OF mutual confidence ana esteem.
The next tnlng or winch we are informed Is that
an American gentleman nad been appointed 10
make inquiries ana settle amateur business for
us. Now, although tnoroughly posted IN all that
pertains to rowing, thought that for once
might have been 'Out; and there made dlilgent
many hue 10 ne 10
writing failed to IND Single individual VINO mad
ever heard sucn thing. This American gentle.
man must nave been committee OF one, appointed
In regard the definition of amateurs we mean to
say that the clause bearing up0l this subject,
taken from tue bylaws OF the Hudson Amateur
Rowing Association, as quoted above, embraced all
that we need 10 decide whether man Is an ANA.
teur or professional We also know that many
were ruled out under THIS little clause and tnaI
all those who were permitted to row IN The regattas
held under the auspices OF the ASSOCIATION must be
considered amateurs unless they nave done s0me-
thing since iney rOwed in sucn regattaS which
would disqualify them now.
We are still disposed To treat this matter AMIGA
bly,, trusting that uucalled-Or remarks regard
Ing the social standing OF the members or some OF
our best boating organizations may prove to nave
been written upon Information derived from q
source as discredltabe as the letter in the WOrtd.
The ATLANTA Club proposed 10 make thus match
as an American amateur CLUB In the reply OF the
London Rowing CluD great stress Is laid upon the
term gentlemen amatnurs." NOW II this match Is
made between what the Engllshmen are pleased to
consider gentlemen amateurs the question as to the
more formidable proportions than that OF the anna
teur.
We highly approve the laudable resolution OF the
writer OF the article from which quoted to
watch over the interests OF the English amateurs,
50 that no advantage may be taken oil them by COM
petitOrS VINO are TO all lntentS and purposes pro-
fcssionals But, In conclusion, we would say that
the appointment or committees to meet and decide
this EnOtty question will hardly be required, II we
are 10 accept the editorial In question as Indlca-
ton OF the feelings or opinions OF the English
teur oars gentlemen toward our plain American
amateur Oarsmcn.
THE PACIFIC MAIL BATTLE.