The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-30
Yale Men LabOring Under Difficulties s
Coaching and System
How Training Can Be Made
DistastefuI.
Harvard and the Sister Universe
ties Of New England Anx-
ious for the Fray.
THE SLIDING SEAT DIFFICULTY.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass, June %, 1878.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass, June %, 1873
It has recently been asked II the great inter-
collegiate aquatic contest, which is to come on
here next month will be the last of its kind. Gen.
slemen well versed In all matters OF Craftsmanship
have circulated statements tending to the belief
that the scheme OF admitting as many OF the clubs
composed Of undergraduates and graduates as de.
sire to the annual race is too comprehensive for
che present. The constitution of the Rowing Asso-
citation of American Colleges is quite emphatic on
this point. however, and in article I, section 2,
nennes in q most concisei manner the object in
view:-''The object OF this Association shall be
the promotion OF the art OF rowing among the
members OF our respective colleges, by meetings,
friendly contests and otherwise; and the kindling
OF that friendly spirit and college feeling which
ought always TO exist between colleges and gen.
tlemen." But the idea has got abroad, absurdly
enough, that our colleges are not yet in the con-
dition to main tain such an organization;
that boating is practically a hidden science
to the majority of students, and that the
attempt to establish an institution in
character similar to that prevailing in England
will only exhibit our weak points the more readily
and, in reality, delay the progress Of the sport.
This view is being canvassed, and hints have been
thrown out within my hearing that a reorganiza-
tion must soon ensue, resulting in
LIMITING THE NUMBER OF COLLEGES
that shall take part in the collegiate regattas.
am bound to say that these views and opinions do
not represent the universities. After visiting all
our great educational establishments within the
past few weeks, can arrive at no other conclusion
than this, that the scope and intent Of the Rowing
Association meets the approval of ALL and that it
has raised up spirit OF enthusiasm and generous
rivalry hitherto unknown among students in the
different colleges. Clubs have been formed and
regularly organized by the entire body OF students,
money has been willingly contributed for pur-
chasing boats, sheds, uniforms and the gen.
eral paraphernalia OF rowing men, and
each individual feels an interest in all
that pertains to boating. 1t IS doubtful H. in fifty
years from now, without agitation In the mean
time the colleges, as whole, would be whit
better prepared than they to-day. Harvard,
Yale and Amherst would continue i'll course OF
Independent aquatics. but colleges having less
facilities, like Williams for instance, would re-
main in the background Another great point
made by many students in the discussion Of this
matter is that they hope to make our collegiate
oarsmen sufficiently proficient; that crew can be
selected from the entire body capable of bearing
O challenge and contesting honoraby against any
other crew collegiate, Of course) In the world.
Oxford and Cambridge could assemble nearly as
many oarsmen as all our college clubs put together
30 that convention OF American university boa t.
race between crews selected from all the colleges
Of the two countries, would have but little to dis
pute in that respect.
ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE USE OF THE OAR
m heathful pastime Is the great object, however
and presidents faculties, trustees and professors
generally speaking, agree with 1t. With students
and their superiors in favor OF the intercollegiate
association, does it not seem strange that profess
sional oarsmen should undertake to condemn or
ridicule 1t with view to throw cold water upon
IT. With reference TO the plan OF rowing the
gatta there may possibly be room for criticism
which l shall touch upon presently; but to the
movement in general where lies the objection AS
the approaching on the Connecticut is Great
ing much discussion here, and is, suppose, OF
general interest throughout the country, / have
mentioned the objections raised by recent arrivals
who are disseminating their views widely for what
purpose 1t is not now easy to discover.
ON To THE COURSE.
Having disposed Of the grumblers in the above
paragraphs started at about eight O'Clock this
morning for the practising ground OF the crews.
But the sun shone, at least than IL could have
done at Stockholm recently; the dust, 'drier and
still more dry" as the poet sings, in clouds
az the engines and teams moved about, and chung
TO one's boots, clothing and eyeids with annoying
tenacity. Passing over the railroad track for about
two hundred yards beyond the depot came to a
wooden, covered bridge, spanning the Connecticut.
A notice over the entrance warns the unsophisti-
Gated that II he goes over the structure at any
pace equal TO a ''trot' he Will be fned-that Is,
provided he doesn't shake the affair into pieces
and render dragging hooks and a coroner's jury
necessary. Before venturinp on the bridge asked
n railroad empoye It's length from bank 10 bank.
He assured me il was 'suppin less nor mile, but
that some VARSITY men had taped it over on the
ice last Winter" and had not made the exact
measurement public. Some twenty yards from
the eastern entrance square hole had been cut
from which splendid view could be had of the
river especially OF the western side. The water
was unusually calm, and away north, beneath the
railroad bridge sparkled in the sun, rejecting the
azure tint OF the cloudess sky. The banks on both
sides were covered with shrubbery almost TO the
waters edge, here and there. along the two and a
half miles that be seen, the slope leading into
the stream beng at about twenty degrees. A few
craft lay moored at various points up the river,
ana tnat was all tne wade saw on the water from
view OF
THE RIVER WAS EXCEEDINGLY LOVELY.
natural picture well worth contemplating NJ
meditation on happy combinations OF hight aud
shade ana Natures bounteous gihs to this particu
lar nelgnborhood were ruthlessy broken up by a
wave OF dust thick as the darkness in Egypt thar
rose alter heavily laden express wagon, causing
me 10 beat rapid retreat. The beauties seen
from the holes have described almost make one
forget bow little separated him from the water be.
meath, Notwithstanding the occasional motion he
ieels. once across into West Springfield new
pleasures greet The vision, and on looking at the
town left but Few minutes previously YOU won
der how such town should tolerate such a bridge
Yonder Is the ever busy, begrimed depot flied
with an odd mixture OF locomotives, freight cars
and hurrying humanity; the deep tone OF the ever
changing bells reaching across the water; the
steeples OF handsome churches tower above the
hotels, mercantile buildings and educa-
tional establishments OF Main, state and
other streets TO the SOUTH while to the North
pretty villa resldencee peep out from beneath the