The New York herald., 1876-07-18

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL AS
soCIATIoN OF SECRETARY GAR
FIELD.
ALBANY, N. Y, July Is. 1874
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
notice in your issue OF the 18th inst communics
ton concerning the National Association OF Amateur
Oarsmen, and, although most aquatic gentlemen will
perceive the animus detect the Misrepresentation
of the anonymous writer, many OF your readers may
be mslcd by several OF his statements which doom
II my duty 10 correct.
The National Association Is engaged In open war.
fare against hired oarsnen, who lack the manlincss ID
enter professional races but anxious to compete
In regattas equal terms with uEqucstonablc anna
tours Because Mr. James IL Riley is proved to have
been waterman tho left mis- fishing and farming and
now gains his livelihood AMATEUR scullcr ths
Executive Committee disqualified him, and solely on
OF this action have tho majority Of the COM
mittee been abused and their motives mpusned.
To correct tho misleading assertions Of your con-
tributor perhaps tho simplest way will be to give
brief statement Of the facts. 1t Is Mr. Riley
decided, Jy committee oil his townsiok and acquaint-
ances, TO DO amateur according to the Saratoga dcn
ntiun, but that definition differs materially from the
adopted by this association and recognized tho
national definition Being entered at rega Ia held
In Troy last August the charge preferred against
Dir Riley that he had followed fishing occupa-
tion. On account OF the late day at which pre-
ferred the charge could not DO properly suosantiaed
Is always matter OF great dlicuIty-and the Regatta
Committee consequently allowed HIM to row and
brought the before the Executive Committee Tor
invest CATION Tne latter committee appointed the un-
dersigncd and Mr. Eusts as sub committee to ascer-
would be made and the case decided at tho
meeting hea January 90 but, through the
delay Of the Neptune Ciub in presenting
evidence for the defence, the matter was postponed
until the following day Meantime, several OF the Ex
ecutiyo COMMITTEES had returned their homes, and
we're tho three who havo sustained r. Riley through.
out the secretary The subcommittee report
divided ono favorng MIR. Rlley's acqut:a ana the
other his conviction and the COMMITTEES voted The
charges were not sustained Two gentlemen were re-
corded as voting, through their proxy: with the ma
sonay examined tho evidence became satisfied Of hia
guilt Accordingly, at the next meeting, one Of them
moved reconsideration Of the vote which was had,
gentlemen who had voted By proxy for his ac
quttal now voting iof his conviction. and Mr. Riley
was accordingly disqualified aud has 80 stood ever
since. ~ this meeting the case was not retired and
no evidence presented. The committee merely
reviewed tleir previous overrued the views Of
minority and recorded the anal verdict Of the full
committee against the eligibility OF the Saratoga
sculer.
Subsequently, request was madc by the Neptune
Club a rchearng and four members of the commit
tee, being able 10 attend Tho meeting in person,
represented by proxy as is provided for 10 our
bylaws and according the ngcontnucd practice Of
tho Board. These gentlemen wero all Of them OPP
posed 10 reopenng OF Riley case which had bcen
ing receive any now evidence, with the distinct
understanding that the prosecution be Afforded op
and had been submitted, they stood ready
TO decide equltabIy as to whether the evi-
dence justified reopenng of the case.
But Determined reinslae the man by fair or
by Ioul. the norty. contrary to justice precedent
and the assuciations written law, excluded proxies
from voting on tho question. Ex parte testimony was
then heard; an opportunity tor the examination or
contradiction OF certain documents read but not SUBJ
mitted was denied, aud Mr.. Riley was declared an
amateur 1t was barefaced fraud and is openly
condemned by every friend OF the amateur movement,
and, think, by all fairminded men.
them have since this meeting protested over their own
the last regular meeting all action OF tho preceding
meeting where proxies were refused an opportunity oi
voting, was de Jared null and void
The secretary IN his minutes did not record any pro-
ceecngs where but fraction oi the declared the
law and deliberately denied their associates the
bench n voice In the deliberations. Such proceedings
the committee mas since declared oga aud they should
have no place on the Official minutes. AT the meeting
held juno 2s Mr. Craft moved that the secretary be
sured, 'or publishing false accusations against
mcmDers Of tue committee for this be had not done,
but ''ior remissness OF duty In not recording
| all tho transactions Of the previous meeting"
This motion seconded by Mr. Eustis, and
although there were SIX mcnbers present In person
and by proxy Mcssrs. Crait and Eusts were the
only gentlemen who voted Tor tho resolution.
have now in my possession sufficient new evidence,
since procured to rciute the pretenuous adavits pre-
sentcd In Mr. Rilcys behalf and TO establish his guilt 10
the satisfaction OF any unprecedented person.
Tho National Association proposes to persist IN its
present OF action and any club channg under the
restrictions of tho amateur code, or unwilling to be
bound by all Of our laws, readily withdraw from
Our Executive Committee is composed of represen.
ta,iyc men the majority OF whom law break.
ing crews shield aud no personal antagonists pun
ISM but are determined TO do their whole duty without
tear or favor, and II by course incur the dis.
pleasure OF the opponents of pure amateur system
could we ask for attcting testimony prove our
sincerity and cfiicicncyf Respectfully,
HENRY W. GARFIELD, Secretary.