The New York herald., 1875-07-02

wise be devoted TO tobacco and beer Even
the college youth, wise as he is in his genera
ton, is not averse 20 the use of narcotics and
stimulants when he is unemployed, and the
very good young men who are exceptions to
this rule are too few in number to allow US to
discourage such healthful physical ex-
ercse as is promoted by these annual
regattas in favor OF the imaginary
mental and moral advantages which the
''unco' guide" seem to think would result from
their discontnuance. We believe the most
important consequences in their moral, mem
tai and physical aspects VIII ensue from the
promotion OF boating in our colleges, and the
easiest way to encourage the use of the oar is
by these intercollegiate races.
In the past we urged serious objection TO
the intercollegiate literary contests which
some very worthy colleglans have SET up in
rivalry of the boat races. We could see no
good reason why months should be spent in
the preparation OF prize essay or prize
grafton for the mere purpose of public ex-
hibiton in New York city, hundreds Of miles
away from most OF the colleges that were ex-
pectod to take part in it. Had the same time
been spent in preparing twenty essays or
twenty orations there might have been some
actual intellectual growth ani culture which
no public exhibition would be required to de-
monstrate. The same reasoning does not ap-
ply to boating or TO The public exhibition of
skill in the use of the oar. The annual match
is necessary as an incentive to training,
Tf the vof1th
from the fourteen colleges comprising the
Collegiate Rowing Association were to as
sembe at Saratoga some fine morning in July
Of each year and row o match on the lake
without any previous preparation it would be
as useless as it would be absurd. In their own
sphere this is practically what the young es-
sayists and orators did at the Academy of
Music last winter, but this is just what the
rowing men do not do. The value of The an
nual regatta is in the previous training for
that event--in the physical growth and cul-
ture which make the crews victorious or fit
for ylctory-and it is for these reasons that we
seek, by all the means at our command, 10
promote and encourage generous rivalry in
this manly pastime between the college crews.
Weare sustained IN this by the American peo-
pie, who take the iyeiest interest in all the de-
tails Of the practice ana preparations for the
annual race and crown the victors with The
acclaim and appreciation which belong only
to welI-earned victory. The regatta Of 1875
is looked forward to with greater satisfaction
even than those of previous years, partly be-
cause the prospect is an exceptionally brilliant
one, as we 50 clearly demonstrate this morn
ing, but more especially out Of desire to
make the college contests national and en-
during.
The Rapid Trarasit Commissioner.
We congratulate Mayor Wickham on the
excellence of his appointments under the new
Rapid Transit law. Every one Of the five
is a business man of standing, energy, capa-
city and pride of character. Their names,
with personal sketches OF their history and
business achievements, viii be found in an
other part Of this paper. They are not men
to let the thing tail for want of enterprise or
lack of public confidence. We trust they
will all accept. Each OF them could, at an
hours notice, give the bonds which the law
requires, even if it were five times the
amount They have been trained in large
undertakings and know how to take hold of
business at the right end. The Mayor has
sanguine hopes that the enterprise with which
these Commissioners are intrusted will be
pushed through With vigor, and we have no
doubt thot his confidence is well founded.
Mayor Wickham has carefully avoided ap-
pointing either engineers or lawyers, announc-
ing this as his fixed purpose in the beginning,
but without explaining MS reasons He
probably feared the bubbles Of lawyers and
the crotchets Of engineers. II the Commits
sioners should need professional advice Of
either kind they can easily procure it, but the
main direction will come better from the
strong common sense and trained business
capacity OF men accustomed to manage large
undertakings So much depended on a
wise selection of the Commissioners that we
again congratulate Mayor Wickham on the
satisfactory manneI in which he has dis
charged this important and responsible duty.
THE FRnMEN 5 SALARIES. Mayor Wicbham
has again put himself on record as opposing
and denouncing the action of Comptroller
Green in insisting ON drawing the fremen's
monthly warrants singly instead of by
companies rolls. His exposure of the
Comptrollers obstinacy and ovorbearing
insolence IS entirely justifable, and his
argument in favor of the company payroll
system is conclusive. At the same time he
says, ''It is true that the law provides that the
Finance Department shall prescribe the man
ner in which salaries shall be drawn and
the mode by which they shall be paid" Very
well; if this be the case, the Mayor is clearly
bound TO respect the law, and he should sign
the dremon's warrants and allow the men to
receive their pay. A law that gives such
power to a subordinate officer Of the city gov
ernment is altogether wrong and should be
amended &c cnaedilv "a uOagiblp If There he