, 1876-03-05

THE CENTENNIAL TOURNAMENT.
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BILLIARDS.
THE CENTENNIAL TOURNAMENT
Speriat Correspondence Of Ths Chicago Iriou1e.
PHILADELPHIA, March 1.-Somotime since
considerable interest WAS excited IN billiard CIR
cles By the announcement that Centennial
would be held in New York during
tie Exposition, under the management OF alE.
Mathew Delaney. The project Was not raptur-
ously received here, for the reason that the
profits would go into private pockets. and the
fact Of it being held in New York would. while
upon the ability OF this CITY
to conduct euch contest, deprive
it Of much Of its Centennial character. Iho
scheme did not prosper, and finally col
lapsed. md when Mr. II. ". Collenaer came
forward With an offer Of 81, ,000 for prize money,
and proposed contest 10 be he1d in this city, his
propos,tlop was hailed with delight. An addi-
tioual $1,000 was subscribed by Mr. Frank
Queen, Of the Clipper, and, after consulting with
leading men in both cities. MIR. Collepder visited
this city, few days ago, for the purpose OF
making the preliminary arrangements, aud per
fectipS the details Of the contest. From
him I learn that the tournament will
be held directly under the auspices Of the
Centennial Commission, to whom the profits will
70. They will be supported by committee OF
influential gentlemen selected from the leadlns
cities of the country, nnd the chief management
will be by local committee comprising the most
eminent men in the profession. under the gen
cral supervision of MI. Collender. The tourna.
meat will begin on the 18th OF May, aod Will
continue fortnight, afternoon en- a9a ; esen.nG'
tural Hall, which the managers have already en-
gaccd. In order that everything may bo IS con-
venient as possible for spectators, the pres
cns seating arrangements Will bo altered.
aud tho seats wiu ba built up IN tho
shane of an amphitheatro about tho plat
form in the centre, thus giving. equal advantage
to ALL 4 special feature, and one worthy OF
note. ig the effort which will be made to secure
the preeence OF a class Of spectators who nave
hitherto declined to grace With their presence
the contests Of the knights of the cue. 10 this
end special rules have been adopted, the regula-
tons Of the lecture room will be enforced and it
is hoped that hereafter game when Is so
rapidly gaining in popularity with both sexes
will not be confined in its public exhibitions to
wholly masculine audience. The question OF
prices has not been definitely settled as yet, but
he rates will probably be those of fstclass thea
tres. Tue games will probably all be tho threo-
ball, Trench carom, and it ls expected that tour
games will be played each DAY. The prlzes Will
be five in NUMBER and the winner OF the first
prize, 81, 500, will gain the centennial champloo-
ship. All the most noted players i'll the world
will take part in tho tournament, among them
Maurice Vlgnau1, the present champion OF INC
world. 4. T. Ruoolphe, who holds the diamond
cue of America, and II. Plot, young French
PLAYER, who has acquired brilliant reputa-
ton in tho short time that he has been
before the public. Among our own players may
be named William Sexton. George slosson,
Maurice Daily. ona Of tho Dions' end George
Bessunger. Sexton sailed, on Saturday last for
Paris, wnere be Ii to play Visnaux Tor tie Col
lender cup md the championship OF the world
Both players will return to this country IN time
for tho tournament, and it is ruluored tnat
.rf,r Tan m n
excel his brother in handling the cue, Is to &C.
company them There is still much to be settled
and uany arrangements to be perfected, but the
proicct bids fair to result in q gouutne centon-
nal tournament, and to provo the greatest event
in tho history OF billiards in this country or
elsewhere.
THE nuRLE1ou-suAw NATTER.
Tho arrangements for the last act OF the
Academy OF Music sell have been completed,
and the money held aH main stake will all be
Maid back Mr. Beusinger Baid yesterday that
his firm were only waiting to hear from sha"
backer, on whom they hayo Il claim: 1t seems
that tho morning after the match Elliott, the
Toledo sport who put up the job, went to the
manager of the Academy Of Music and demanded
| snd received the door money, With Which he de-
parted. This left Bensinger no chance to Collect
q bill Of $50 which he had incurred Tor various
| expenses, aad he accordingly wants to have
Elliott or some ono elso assume TINT before the
s1ake is given up. The cnampionship-badge
| has not yet been returned. but will shortly be,
or il it is not, its cost will be subtracted from
| the money deposited by Snaws hacker. It is
| probable that the money will be paid over this
| week ..
on BOTH SIDES.
Tho Clipper put itself in very awkward posl-
| ton on tho Burleigh glve-away. Having cap
tured copy OF the Chicago Times with IN init
matiou that tho match was crooked, tho Clipper
| man sat down and wrote column to prove thaI
everything must have been straight and the
Times all wrong. After he had made this very
clear oy figures and averages and extraordinary
mathematics, tho writer felt content, but was
more than little disturbed by getting Ih1nrsx N;
| crookodness in it. .-.....
Here vas q tight spot, and it was gotten ove1
by tho Clipper man By putting both articles III
mt and could not hive been sell, and the other
in which Burleieh confessed that 1t was nothing
else. He was bound TO be on the right side
somehow.