The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-10
A Race Open TO all the world.

Race Open TO all the World.
The city Of Worcester Mass, fell once into
habit and maintained it for many years,
which it would be well for Saratoga to copy
now 1t will be remembered that the place in
which most Of onr university races have been
rowed, but which was finally discarded, mainly
/ from lack Of room for SO many boats as
now, was Lake Qunsigamond, two miles
from Worcester Mass. AS these college con-
tests themselves occupied but one day and
usually drew together good crews in excellent
condition it was thought well to hold re-
gatta on the day after and open it to all
comers the city offering liberal prizes. The
result was gratifying beyond all expectation.
In 1859, Tor instance, Yale, which had been
beaten by Harvard by just o minute the day
before, winning terrific race by two seconds;
many outside crews entering in 1860, and the
famous Gersh Banker with "Josh" Ward
stroke, sweeping the field in the then quickest
time on record; the Harvard Sophomores
rowing the Biglins, then claiming to be
champions, hot race in 1864; and, finally,
and best Of all, the Wards in 1863 again
winning in the unparalleled time. in turn
ing race, Of 17:401, followed closely by Har-
ward. As the programme now stands the
eight Freshman crews and six single scullers
are, if nothing happens to prevent, to row
their races on Tuesday, July 10, while on the
next day the fourteen chosen crews compete
in the University contest. Now let Saratoga
4 "a ~ 81,
10th, two days later-namely six-oared con-
test open to all, professional or amateur,
foreigner or native. Let the prizes be, say
four in all, the first purse Of $1,000 the
other three sums which, together, would make
another thousand. Let her work with her
usual energy with the time yet at her dis
posal-enough but none too much-and she
can draw together the majority, if not all,
4 Of the following crews, every one Of
which has a reputation already national
namely, the Ward Brothers, champions Of
the world, the Paris crew Of st. John, New
Bruins wick the first crew in Canada, which
also won the Exposition race at Paris III 1867 I;
the Nova Scoiians, Of Halifax who, in the
great international seyen-nilo heat il that
city in 1871 we're but two seconds behind the
champions q England /; the Biglins, who az
ways were hard to beat Morris, the Ham
ills, Scharff, Kaye and the other tough Pitts
burgers, and among the amateurs the win
ners Of last year, the Beayerwycks Of Albany,
the Argonautas Of Bergen Point, and the
Wahwahsums, from Saginaw, while there will
doubtless be some good newcomers. They will
find, too, that the pick Of the college crews
will be delighted to share in such battle, FOL
the kind Of timber that wins races seldom 10.
clnes them.
This plan, pressed at once and vigorously,
will effect, among other things, the following
1t will show who are the fastest oarsmen in
America; whether the professionals can really
beat the students, which Is far from certain;
it will give the latter an opportunity to find
ont any good points in the rowing Of th,
others which they % not now know, and il
they are beaten, what il il that does il; il
will tell Us whore to lean when the ten crews
come from Europe 70 beat us at the Centcn
MAJ races; il will help 70 show which is tho
most effective stroke; it will show close con
testants q the previous day who really are til,
better men, il viii bring about the grandes
rowing contest ever seen in America if not II
modern times; it VIII keep from fifteen (
thirty thousand people q day longer at sara
toga, and leave her hundred thousand dol
lars, from which 70 provide the two thousand
for the prizes; it will he the best possibl,
training for her Tor the races which her *
cellent course and great facilities will almos
force her to throw open 70 the European crew.
in 1876; for il viii never do e let them &
home with only having rowed II one rac,
here. What with tie Freshman and single
scul races on Tuesday, the University q
Wednesday, the athletic meetings, both gradu
ate and undergraduate, en- Thursday, anl
this greatest race of all On Friday, it vii
make the week m exceptionally brilliant one
and il i more than likely that il will be th'
pioneer 81 long series Of such contests, hell
annually AS 4 nation We arc not neallys
athletic As We should and can be, though v,
are improving il this respect No trial .
strength in tic whole year arouscs ncarl.
the interest either among tho spectator
Or by means "a the press Throughout
the country that is awakened BY th
University race. No filter time coul'
be hit upon for inaugurating this manifest
finer contest fit were set at the time Of tn
amateur meeting late IN August the student
would not stay. But now they viii all be o
. the around and especially those of them jus