The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-07-21
COD SPEED TEE nAY.

Thank heaven, Saturday saw the last of
it. For days and weeks, and even months,
the intercollegiate boat-race- or to call ii
by its more high-sounding name, regatta"
has been the one exciting topic of con-
versatiOn to the exclusion of matters of
collegiate halls is not strange. When,
however, it is considered and discussed in
the streets and club-room, in the cars and
boats and in the marts of commerce, il is a
matter of more surprise, and one for which
there should be reason. The reason is
obvious, when we reflect that the mass of
the people will talk about that in which a
few take lively interest, and, therefore,
make it subject of general discussion and
inquiry. Outside of the ranks of students,
those few will be found to be gamblers and
nothing but gamblers. They stake their
money on the result, and hence their inter-
est. OF what possible interest can it be, of
what possible interest is it to the peo-
pic at large, whether this boat or that
boat wins the "colors' ? None at all.
Save for a feeling of pride for alma mater,
what interest is it to the students them
selves whether the boat of their college or
of some other comes in ahead? We can
conceive ofsnone. The original idea Of
these "regattas" seems to have been entire
ly lost sight of, ard they are now prosti-
tuted TO other purposes. Unwiitingly,
these young men, with the consent and ap-
probation of the trustees and faculties of
the several colleges, place themselves at the
disposal of a horde of hungry gamblers,
grasping hotel keepers and eXtortionate
hack drivers and for what? That the
students may receive permanent mental or
physical benefits therefrom? That may
have been, it was the original idea, but it
has long since been unthought of, because,
perhaps, no such results were attained.
The idea of college boat racing, in this
country, was borrowed from England, and
was founded upon the well known fact that
sound body was necessary for Il sound
mind. So far the idea is excellent, but let
us sum up some OF inc results.
1t is of no consequence at what particu-
lar date boating was introduced as one Of
the recreatlons, or means of exercise, in
our American colleges. 1t is sufficient to
know that its introduction was without
thought o. ''regattas," but simply as af-
fording to some a more pleasurable form
nf nyprpien thnu pouII bn found - thn
gymnasium or on the ball ground. Az
students who desired, could participate
therein. The expenses were triAing and
sometimes entirely borne by the college
mind in sound body-was the one lead
inG thought. To the pleasures of the
water, and the glow of health there at
tanned. all were invited to come freely
without money and without price. The
rich and the poor were placed on the same
footings The young man an heir TO mil
lions was no better off than the poor boy
who worked his way through college. In
1852, we believe it was, these "regatlas
were planned and carried into execution,
and then came the change Remember
that we are speaking only of the larger col
leges of those whose whole roll of
students would barely furnish decent
boats crew. Some colleges held back Tor
a time, but, finally, nearly all of the lead
ing colleges in New England and New
York took part in the annual contests.
This year it is noticeable that the crews
from Bowdoin. Amherst, Massachusetts
State Agricultural College, and from other
noted institutions were absentthe reason
of which we shall presently see
But why should these ''regatlas" have
produced any change First because all
but the sons of the rich, save IN exception.
al cases, were excluded from all partcipa-
ton therein. The boating exercise on col.
legc waters was then something more than
exercise. A "trainer' was required New
and fancy uniforms must be procured the
most expensive and best kind of boats must
be bought But these expenditures were
not circumstance beside the expenses at.
tending the final contest Days and weeks
must be passed upon the waters where the
final rowing was to take place and, this
year, two days before the close the tcle
graph reported that the students were
bankrupted by the exorbtant charges Of
the landlords and hack drivers Indeed
the individual expenses of any one of Tho