The New York herald., 1876-01-21
AMATEUR OARSMEN.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL AssocIA-
rIoS-rwxNrr-FIvE CLUBS REPREsENTED-
vExArIoUs QUESTIONS SETTLED AND IMPoR-

L.,
elected President, Commodore James II. Ferguson,
Quaker City Boat Club, Philadelphia; Secretary. Henry
W. Garfield, Excelsior Boat Club, Detroit Mich. AS
sisant Secretary, Richard Neville Nautilus Boat Club,
New York The credentials OF delegates were then
called for, twenty-five clubs responding with the an
nexed nsi Of duly authorized rcpresentatvesi-
Anaostan, Washington. D. C.-M Bailey.
Ataanta, New York-John E. Eusts, J. W. Edwards,
J. 7. Fryer
Argonauta, Bergen Point, N. J.-E. A. S. Man, 1. L.
Spring.
Catskill Catskl, n. Y-J. Day, Jr.
Excelsior. Detroit, Micn.-H W. Garfield.
roll, James r. NcDonough
NJ l. FilIey, Lansngburg, n. Y.-Albert Gallup.
Grammercy, New York;. j. Atkinson. +. j. Engc
Mutual, Albany, ~ Y-C H. Thomas, f. s. Fisher.
Nautilus, New York-YillIam Walsh, James Murphy,
Narragansett Providence, R. la. F. Dexter, Frank
A shehan.
New York Athletc-H. p. Egeston, H. G. Mceker, G.
H. Pierce.
Nassau, New York-I.ndsay watson, Walter wilson
Olympic Albany, n. Wv. =. Rudd c. 5. H. Ellis.
Philadelphia Barge Club-John NJ Taylor
Quaker City Boat Club-George W. Parker James W.
Ferguson.
Riverside, Rochester N Y.-R S. Taylor.
ST Johns, New Orleans La. Y. Gross
Triton Newark, N J.-Alexander Handy, +. E.
Townley, :. S. Smith.
Ulysses Troy, \. Y.-s. B. stinson.
Union Springs, Union Springs, n Y-G II wyatt
wovInhook, Grcenbush, n. Y.-C. G. Loderwick,
W. c. Ruyter.
Undne Philadcphia-w r. Tucker
Waverley. Now York-walier N. Femming d.
Benjamin f. Brady, II. Bartley.
THE AMATEUR QUESTION
Mr.. Dexter the object OF the meeting II being
called particularly article OF the constitution
relating to the definition of an amateur, tho proposed
alteration and addition having been bullctned the time
required r. Garfield order to facilitate patters and
get into working shape at once moved that the amend
Incnt which had been read and which will be found be-
low, be referred to committee of nine TO consider It's
feasibility and report thereon This being The pleasure
of the meeting the President selected the following
the committee:-A f. Dexter (chairman); J.. L.
Spring, W. r. Hills, p. $. Bglin, y. j. Engelhardt,
Henry w. Garfield S. B. Atkinson, NJ. Bailey and Wal.
ter Wilson. The committee retired, and within half
hour reported that IT had agreed upon the suboined
as the definition OF an amateur oarsman;-
An amateur oarsman is who does not enter In an
open competition, for either a stake, prblc ad-
mission money or entrance fec or competes with or
against professional for any prize; has never taught
pursued assisted the pursuit OF athletic exercises
as means OF livelihood;* whose membership of any
rowing other athletic club not brought about
does not continue because of any mutual agreement
or understanding express or implied, whereby his
becoming or continuing member OF such club would
be OF any pecuniary benefit to him whatever direct
indrect who has been employed in any occupa-
ton involving any use of the oar or paddle
sThls clause Is intended especially prevent
for rowing for instance by being furnished lucrative
employment in sinccurc positions
BoArBUILpERs MAY ROW.
Mr.. Tucker of tho Undine CLUB, Philadelphia, moved
that tho report be accepted, which being done, he
desired know II the above in any wise restricted
boatbuders from rowing. He did not think that the
language fully covered this point and wanted
derstand IL men so employed could row Mr. Dexter,
chairman OF the committee, responded Boat
builders had been Intentionally excepted in the past
from taking part in the association regatas but upon
mature delberation 1t had been agreed that the
rule sweeping, and the committee wishing to
be as liberal as possible, yet closely watching that tho
OF amateur rowing should not be unjusy dealt
WITH had modified this provision Consequently It was
held that unless boatbuder be shown TO practice
with the oar to an undue extent he VIII be allowed
TO under this definition The sticking up OF sign
boatbuildcr will not hereafter disquaify such from
taking part in the regattas
JASIroRs EXCLUDED.
Mr.. Tucker then asked janitors OF lighthouses
to be allowed row. Mr.. Dexter settled this
point by quoting the clause "has taught, pur-
sued assisted in the pursuit of athletic
means OF livelihood" which OF course excludes persons
THE ''rKcuxIARr BExErrr'' CLAUSE.
Mr.. Man. OF the Argonaua Club, Bergen Point, de-
sired that the clause the proposed amendments
touching tho pecuniary question should bo moro fully
explained by the committee; or, in other words, he
wanted TO know just how far this idea OF receiving
emolument for rowing was intended TO CO. and who
would be excluded under the above construction.
Mr.. Dexter cheeriully responded. The understand
ing of the committee, and what had been arrived at
after long discussion, was that
The construction TO be put upon this clause may be
arrived at by supposng case brought before the
Executive Committee follows, viz "A suspected
man Is summoned TO qualify himself as an amateur.
lie is asked, Was the business position you occupy
given you condition OF your joining that club and
rowing in ITS crewS Willyou probably lose that posi-
ton OF profit II you leave your club refnse to in
its crew IL he yes TO either question he Is
sclfconvcted II he answers mo- to BOTH and Lhe
mittce cannot contradict his testimony, he Is genuine
amateur However always supposlng that the posi-
ton OF profit that the occupies, whatever It may
be- in which he gives honest work in full
for his salary Outside OF these requirements clubs
individual members thereof may render any acts Of
kindly service to their members
This explanation seemed satisfactory all around and
the amendment as above was substituted for article
OF the constitution by unanimous vote, each club
represented responding as It's name called.
PRIZES.
Pending the consideration OF the above in commit
hof~r o1atex lAfae eI.~
Dexter, as directed by the Executive Committee, Of
fcred the following-
Resolved That the Executive COMMITTEES Of the
the Of the assocaon Of all the prizes hereto
sy"se Sssn 70 s.S for ps~ou. rsne fs
to be the absolute property OF the winners.
Messrs. Tucker and Man opposed tho passage of the
resolution as unfair TO past winners, while Mr Eustis
thought the tnware great bother to keep, mas
much they challenge prizes, and the year after
might change hands Flags, he thought, we're better,
aud could be hung on ooathouses whereas the silver
vote the resolution ~as rejected, not single member
approving its passage.
Nr Neville, OF the Nautilus Club offered the follow
ing
Resolved That the National Association Of Amateur Oars
cordially ndorse the invitation already extended tho
60 s"Ss % uoPs o I 70 .r ~ me Gsn
dcpha. autumn.
This was adopted without dissenting voice.
Mr.. Man, OF the Argonautas called upon President
Furguson state what had been done by him and his
association concerning the International Regatta be
held next year at Philadelphia.
MIR. Ferguson said that IL was beyond question but
that they would have representative amateur crews
from England and Ireland and perhaps from France,
with them that occasion, and the professional
contests crews from the Thames and Tyne. England,
would compete cordial invitation Is extended to all,
and everything will DC done make this portion OF tho
Centennial years amusement successful in every
spcct
ROWING sRKvoLvERsn -
Mr. Dexter desired to amend article Q, section 9 OF
the bylaws. by adding ANY member OF the club TO
which the individual whose status is being invcst-
gated belongs who shall be required do BY the
committee having the matter In charge, shall furnish
SAID committee with his written declaration upon
that the best OF his knowledge and belief the oars
man in question Is eligible under the associations
dcnniron OF amateur, and " entry desired 70
be made for a regatta. that he has been member OF
the club Tor Two months preceding the datc OF said
regatta
TINS rave rise o rnnch discnssinn AZ n wns nnernd