The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-21

Connecticut there is good promise that it will
be completely eclipsed this year. Apparently
determined, if starting early will do 1T. to make
sure of preventing the blunders which so married
the race at Springfield, delegates from the
various colleges and universities which were
represented there purpose meeting in conven-
ton to-day at Hartford, and it is reported
that there will be there besides, not only men
from Princeton and Rutgers, but that Brown
University, the Troy Polytechnic School and
Chicago University all intend putting in an
appearance. We doubt if, in the history Of
this country, so many Of our seats OF learning
have ever been formally represented at meet
ing of any sort and it is equally probable that
no other cause than that which calls them to-
gether now is nearly so vigorously at work in
improving the bodily strength and health OF
our more favored youth, and those who will
ere many years be looked to for the protection
of the country's best interests. The principal
question will be the determining where to
have this years contest The elements that
should, and likely will weigh most in reach
ing a right conclusion are, first, the obtaining
of suitable course; next, proper accommoda-
tons for visitors, and, lastly, readiness of ac-
cess If, emitting the other considerations,
the necessary crowding at the start did not
demonstrate that the course of last year was
not fit one the arrival of these five new
corners manifestly will. Indeed, their par
taking in the struggle at all will render imper
alive the selection of some course hitherto I'M
tried, OF least by the collegians, unless it may
possibly be Winnipiseogee Lake-that is, if the
race, as we hope it always will be, is to be
an abreast race.
The places thus far announced as anxious
TO compete for the honor are New London.
Troy and Saratoga. To the first named there
are serious objections. 1t is out of the way,
far from central, almost sure not to have
adequate hotel accommodations for the an
nually increasing throng Of visitors, and any
course in its neighborhood broad enough for
so many boats, if not too exposed to the
southerly summer winds, must be perceptibly
affected by tide or current or both. In regard
to Troy, our correspondent yesterday reports
its hotel possibilities as Indifferent its course
but eight hundred and fifty feet wide on an
average-a fatal defect in itself-which is one
hundred and fifty feet less than the Connecti-
cut was claimed to be at the starting line last
year, a bad bridge or pier over it at that and
playful canal boats frisking about on its bosom
at brief intervals.
Plainly, if a course can be had where there
is neither tide, current, bridge nor canal boat,
which is unusually sheltered from the action
of the wind is far wider than any other, better
located for spectators and easier of access, is
much more central for those competing and
especially if that course surpasses all the rest
named, both in these respects and through
its surroundings in ability to care for the
welfare of guests, it should command prom
inent consideration. To insure that con-
sideration delegation from the Saratoga Row.
ing Association purpose asking leave to lay
the advantages of their lake before the con-
vention, and the many attractions they hold
out show that they have devoted to the matter
much time and thought, and that they pro-
pose as well to help most generously with their
purses. Free passage for crews and boats
from Troy to Saratoga and return; the board
of all crews kept down to reasonable rate;
penurious and refractory hackmen restricted
to decent prices; the admission of all visitors
to all lands adjoining the lake free Of charge;
the absence of the large craft which infest
q tidal course a boat house and dock
to each crew free of expense, valuable prizes
Of plate, ample railroad facilities, accommo-
Jo&,o f,r oV,I ;,;t Lok IL
accustomed to caring for them by the regi-
ment and in a way they are used to, well
sprinkled Macadamized roads, beautiful
scenery, together with the famous springs, the
charming maidens who annually swarm there.
and the many other concomitants of one of
the Oldest and most justly famous watering
places in the world-these are among the
good things in store for the students if they
will but come to Saratoga. Moreover the testi-
mony of the fast professional rowers of this
country, England and Canada as to the salts
faction and delight they experienced in their
various races had already on Saratoga Lake will
be submitted, and the fact that from looking
after these, and especially the races where so
many amateurs took part last autumn, they
have their work pretty well in shape, as their
brilliant success in the instance last mentioned
shows. As no other place in America will, if
indeed it can, hold out such real advantages,
and, as we have said, as neither of the
others named have absolutely fair courses
Saratoga is nearly sure to be settled upon for
the tussle of the sixteen crews in 1874, and if
all goes as smoothly as it has done with her
races heretofore the American Putney -to-Mort-
lake has been found at last. In fact,
it is this finding which has generated
such enterprise among the Saratoga folk,
for they freely avow that if they thought they
could get the race on their lake for one year
only they would not try.
Ruf how will thew o,,e,vor %bo r,.J I'LL