The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-26
AMATEUR OARSMEN.

THE CHARGES AGAINST THE ARGoNAUTAs AND
PHILADELPHIA. August 25, 1876.
The National Association OF Amateur oarsmen has
just held its annual regatta and It's convention and
there is little praise be bestowed upon either They
were both apparently conducted in quiet manner but
underneath all this apparent ameness there agen-
cies at work, wirc-puing trapspringing, maneuvrng
and trickery, which will not add to the reputation
for honorable dealing Of any oil the prime movers en-
gagged in the brewing of the trouble In the early part
Of the week mischief afoot. To 30 mnutely into
tho whole details of this business would require more
space than could be devoted TO IN the columns of the
HERALD, but in order that the oarsmen OF the United
States may understand the quarrel il now stands
the substantial facts Of the affair the subjects OF
this letter.
Tho Argonauta Rowing Association on Monday last
were summoned to attend a meeting of the National
Regatta Committee to answer why Mr. Smith should
not DO disqualified from rowing in tho National Regatta
II was surprise to tho Argonautas to receive any
such ntimaton, as for years Mr. Smith had rowed in
all the prominent of tho country, both national
and International and to bring forth such proposition
at this late moment, even if there the slightest
ground for il, showed its very face that hore
motive which honorabIy minded men find hard to
concle with ideas of far dealing. The meeting
was called for two o'clock, III Philadelphia, the
mons to attend 1t was not received by the Argonautas
until midday OF Monday they had just two hours to
make arrangements for absenting themse yes from
business and get Philadelphia OF course tho
affair was settled liz the absence OF the
cused aud the Argonauta struck
in vital spo. by the disqualification
OF their bow The twelve O'Clock (midday)
brought over number OF the Argonautas, who
prepared with proof show that their and every
member thereof were what they claimed 10 be-bona
fde amateurs in the slrclest of the word
tilted to row they had done n the past The
gentlemen who went TO Philadelphia on that errand
are active members OF the Argonauta Rowing Associ-
ntion and men OF social ssanaing Id New YORK, whose
word IN commerca. matters and on 'Change would he
taken without hestaton yet here in Pniladc phia by
the National Regatta Committee, they were placed in
the most hum iating position and had 10 actually beg
hearing which was denied them. Tho meeting OF the
Executive Committee OF the National Association, which
was called Tor eight O'Clock Monday evening at OF
the boat houses Paramount Park, not held where
called on account OF the absence Of the Secretary
other memoirs OF that committee although the pres
don't and three OF his associates remained until nearly
midnight for the Secretary and the Philadelphia
bers 10 make their appearance.
NO SHOW FOR RILEY.
The Argonautas were not alone in the quarrel the
Neptune Club, of Staten Island, had also grievance to
set ar'ghl The OF the Neptune Club this.
Among the members of tho Neplunes Is James Il |
Riley, good scuer and Tree a hearted. honest |
country boy as ever handled pair Of souls Am |
btious excel scullng, he has much time
to it, and II tho real truth known, at pecunary
loss to himself. Mr. Riley has rowed on Saratoga Lake
amateur IN two international regattas, has |
rowed at Troy, at the National Regatta and has rowed
on the XIII Won Kull in tho regat.as OF the Neptune
Club. Such men Courtenay, or Union Springs
Yates, western scuer OF good reputation Julian |
kennedy, Of Yale, and Thomas Keator, junior cham
pion OF Saratoga, have rowed with and against Mr..
Riley aud have entered protest regarded him
professional. Notwithstanding this the question
regarding Mr.. Riley's status as an amateur beng
brought up before the Executive Committee OF ANA
teur Oarsmeu IL was resolved TO disqualiiy him
meeting ut which none OF the Neptunes were present
speak in his defence. On the application OF the
Neptunes TO have a fair and candid nearing OF Mr.
Riley case, in which they would have an opportunity
OF appearing, another meeting called and then and
there after series OF cross questionngs AIR. Riley
and the Neptune men and the reading OF numerous
anhdaviis Er. Riley was duly qualified as an amateur
oarsman. This evidently did not suit some of tho
members, who appear on being resolved to kill ~
Neptune scuer whether guilty or not, another meet
ing called by the Secretary, and Mr.. Riley
again disqualified BY the influence OF the Albany and
Pnladelph working together. The Neptune Club
delegation this meeting not aior. ed an
opportunity OF being heard, and yet those who pre-
scented themselves behalf OF the Noptunes may well
the privilege OF being heard In the defence of any
man because OF their standing In social aud business
circles Of New York.
WHAT DOES 1T xxANs
Tho meeting rather tho attempted meeting, OF
the executive committee OF the National Association
last Monday night was disgracetui exhibition tho
part Of members OF that committee to avoid
ing which honorable and fair dealing de-
manded. After waiting and hunting for hours Mr.
Dexter the President OF tho National Association who
had travelled all the way from Providence, r. l., to
u
mitlee called for day, Mcssrs. Eusts, Craft
Atkinson, GARFIELD, Crumbser and Parker aud the
three last named gentlemen refused 10 hold the meet
ing consider any question: They we're convinced
everything and that WAS enough They would hear
nothing more They would not even listen read u
word Of testimony the Riley case, and OF
committee went lar as to reject unopened, aud almost
with insult letter of introduction from OF the
highest officials in the State Of Pennsy vania
introducing gentleman from New York who had
visited Philadelphia in behalf Of Mr.. Riley The Pres
dent Of the Ncptunes, as well AZ Captain Des6eld,
Executive Board who were preJudced that all they
wanted was q fair hearing justice between man aud
man and an opportunity for good his
skill scuer with the best oarsman in the country.
All this was denied anu disguised and hu iated the
Neptune delegation WAS forced TO leave Philadelphia,
without getting 'the slightest show' and not At
all avorably impressed with the fairness or dslnor-
estedness OF the members Of tho Executive COMMITTEE
who DENIED them what every honest man has a right
to have who claims ia lair hearing NoIwIthstand-
ing the indgniiy 10 the Neptunes, Captain Delnhcid
applied 10 the International Regatta Committee ~ be
allowed 10 enter his double scuil crew aud single but
this committee had not time 10 consider the matter
refused and fell back on the other committee BY this
action one OF the best amateur sculers in the country
Is prevented from rowing In the international regatta
The treatment OF Mr.. Edward Smith, tho bow Of |
tho Argonauta crew, WAS equally contemptible He |
summoned to appear and answer charge prefer
by Captain Hills, of the Bcavcrwycks. Though Ill
he answered the summons left his business and went
on Philadelphia Tho time Tor meeting and for |
trial came the accused was ready, but the judges
not. A postponement occurred again. the man who |
had rowed In 100 races was ready to stand up and
answer, but his prosecutors At length the |
great committee met one OF tho boathodscs and |
after hours OF patient waiting on the hospitabe stone
steps of the house in Paramount Park the Argonautas
were admitted to the council chamber. Here they
questioned and cross questioned The Argonauta
Club has among Its members some well known mcr-
chants professional men and gentlemen of social
standing the city OF New York. and some of these
gentlemen were subjected to cross-examinaiion which
well illustrated tho lengths to which people will go
when there object in view. After painful,
humiliatng investigation the matter was referred to
committee, and after days delay IL decided
that Mr.. Smith would be allowed to take part in the
International Regatta, unless, indeed, some other
move may be made 10 prevent him.
The ATLANTA subjected TO a like annoy
ance Nj. Eustis was placed last year on The
board by vote Of the Convention OF the National
Association, and he Is suspected He and his
crew troted out" to answer cha, ges and up to
the time almost that hc started IN race he did
know whether he would be allowed to compete Then
he was allowed to row under protest. or somethlng