Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-09-02
FIRST EDITION.
PHILADELPHIA.


or than that of the week previous. The
climax was the defeat of the London club
on Wednesday by the Beaverwyck of Alba
ny in the final heat of the four-oared race.
There is much jubilaton over the fact
that one of the most important contests in
the whole list should have been won by an
American crew, especially when the skill
and reputation of the Londoners is
considered. The race had been CIV
en- to the Englishmen by general
consent and the scene on the river when it
was seen that the Americans had a chance
to win was something that not many of
those who were present will ever forget.
All the same, however, it was not fair
race,nor are any races rowed in cheats" as
seems to be necessary on the Schuylklll
when there are number of "entries," en-
tirely fair. The contest between the Lon
don and Beaverwyck was of itself honest
enough, but the injustice is in the fact that
by strict right the Beaverwyck had no
claim to the place it held. The London
club was all right, having come out first
best in time as well as in position in its
first heat. But Beayerwyck, though num-
ber one in it's tllal heat, did not make as
good time as Yale did in its initial row with
L
unfalrnesa. If the time is the test the
clubs making the best should have the pla-
ces in the finish, but under the system
adopted in this regatta each cheat stands
by itself, regardless of the time made in
other heats. Yale made better time in her
heat than Beaverwyck made to win the
race, 30 though the latter club gets the
prize there are many who deny that it has
the best crew. On course sufficiently
wide to have admitted all the crews at once
Yale would doubtless, barring accidents
have won.
THE PRIZE MURDER.
The extraordinarily brutal prize fight
which occurred down the Delaware River
yesterday is topic among all classes. Per-
SONS who ordinarily shun such subjects feel
themselves compelled to give some atten-
tion to an affair 20 outrageous in its con-
tempt OF social restraint, no less than of
the commonest instincts of humanity. The
New Jersey sheriff is praised for his brave
struggle against such Odds and his conduct
ie in striking contrast to that of our own
authorities Not only did our police force
know that this fight was contemplated, but
it sent posse of officers down the river in
q tug boat; which posse had ohe supreme
assurance to leave the villainous party on
the direct route to the fighting ground. 1t
| is claimed that the animus of this eXtraor
| spectacle" citizens were in the train of the
| fighters, end that tLe police dia not desire
| to make things unpleasant for these gem
| try. The story seems incredible, but if this
was not the reason for the course Of the
/ officers on board of the tug Stokely,"
what was the reason Until the force can
| clear itself it must rest under this dishonor-
| able imputation. So deep is the feeling
over the shameful affair that there is hope
at this writing that not only the surviving
| principal and the seconds in the fight may
| be punished, but that numerous parties
known to have been present may be ar
rested and made proper examples of. IN
less a firm stand is taken the lawless ele-
ment in our society will make Philadelphia
| justice laughing stock.
THE COAL BREAK.
The coal furry this week was something
| tremendous. 1t disturbed the usual sum-
mer calm with a vengeance, not only in coal
| circles but in trade generally. Coal is 30
| intimately allied to all manufacturing, and
manufactures have 80 vital an influence
| upon all business, that the tumult caused
| by such sudden and great fall in prices is
| easily understood. But we are already get
ting upon solid ground. 1t is, after all,
only a case of management, not of supply.
| The possession of the coal is the great
| point for trade, and as the community knows
|
| machinery for getting 1t to market is as per-
feet as ever, tho excitement has nothing of
| the feverish dread in it which accompanies
the English discussion of the coal question,
where prices are seen to depend upon the
probable avail ability OF the mines. AS to
prices, those who can buy now in quantity
| will find a handsome profit, but it is doubt
full if by the time cold weather sets i'll the
rates will be greatly lower than they were
| Io.,k fIovJ Ia
| but not largely SO, as the inevitable result
Of the present state of things will be TO
curtsil production and so increase the value
of stocks in hand,
DEATH OF AN EMINENT LAWYER.
The death of VIM. L. Hirst creates an
other vacancy in the Philadelphia Bar which
it will be difficult to adequately fill. Mr.
Hirst was one of the very best lawyers this
city ever produced, which may seem q stroue
statement in view of the fact of the repu-
tation of the city in legal direction, but il
is one quite within the truth. He WAS 6
truly distinguished man, and an honor tt
this community, which now sincerely mournt
his departure. Possibly the young mel
coming forward may carry on the legal rep
utaton of Philadelphia, but as one after an
other Of these great lawyers leaves us there
is a growing sense of loss which almos
causes MS to doubt of future as brilliant
as the past.
CENTENNIAL MATTERS.
Much talk has been caused by the re
suits of the municipal reception in the Phil
adelphia Building on the Exposition
grounds on Wednesday evening. You will
remember that councils appropriated $50,
900 several months ago to enable the Mayo
to entertain prominent visitors, &c Moth
ing was done until this week, when ban
quet was given at which various Centen
NAL authorities and prominent citizen
were present. The affair did not come ex
4, actly within the Limitation of the grant, a
the persons invited were scarcely the guest
i, of the city, but they were in many cases 81
nearly associated with the Centennial En-
terprise that the point could not be tot
strongly insisted on. Some severe crit
! cism Of certain doings at the reception
= have been INDUCED in, the assar
tions being made that the ban
quet degenerated into shameful
orgie. It seems certain that there was to,
q much latitude in the invitations, and tina
, some persons did not carry themselves yer,
= deoorously. But there were many gentle
men present whom it would be shame {,
1 s..nl nl,.lo s,~ L