The New York herald., 1878-03-09
THE SENECA. LAKE REGATTA.

WHAT THE AMATEUR oAhsMEN THINK OF THh
Liberal. PROPOSAL MADE BIZ THE WATKINS
REGATTA ASSOCIATION.
The proposed Seneca Lake regatta afforded an un~
limited themo OF conversation yesterday among bout
ing men, and there appeared to be a general ieehne
that the Watkins Regatta Association deserved the
thanks OF all amateur oarsmen for tho liberal ana
manly style in which they had given them all an
opportunity to represent tho United States in the
coming international regatta In Europe HERALD
reporter visited tho different headquarters OF amateu1
oarsmon with view TO ascertaining their opinions IN
regard to the coming contest, and his inquiries
elected the most unqualified praise Talking with
one well known amateur oarsman, who has figured
successfully many hard contested raco, the rc.
porter learned that the feeling regard to the action
of the Watkins club unanimous ana that there
was that tho regatta would attract the finest
ossembage of amateur crews that have come to-
gcther in THIS country. That gentleman also add
ed:-'It Is TO be hoped that all jealousy between
clubs will be forgotten on such an occasion as this,
and that instead OF trying to break up each
others crews they will rather assist ono an
Other SO that the country may be well represented
There many clubs that have oniy couple OF good
men, and II they were to help another some good
might be pu: training that would otherwise
be worthless through inefficient SUPPORT In my cst-
nation the members of the Watkins Regatta Associa-
tion have already won crown OF laurelS
by the chIvalrous spirit which thoy have
shown Offering to send 10 Europe the best
crew that tho country can produce. There
many crows in this country with rot nall tho pre-
tensions that tho Watkins crew Is entitled to tnut
would nave gone to Europe themselves as repre-i
sentative crew, know ing that their friends would back
them 1t is their evident desire to have the Uniied
States fairly repres ented should be the duty
OF all amateur oarsmon 10 DO their utmost 10 navc
that idea carried out to the fullest extent"
Talking over tho arrangements for sending tho
crews TO Europe the question camo up us TO how
there would be time TO furnish the winning crews
nfVh hnufS
boats but the important point would be 10 have boats
suiled TO the men who were to row. aud IN tue opnion
of II appeared doubtful whether ther5
would be sufficient time ator the Regatta
to obtain boats that might suit them. One
10 build wooden boat and ten days u build paper
This matter however, has probably been con-
sidered by the ociaton, they would hardly hava
made such oler unless they prepared "
carry IT out IN an eilic,cnt manor.
TIE AMATEUR QUESTION
A numocr OF boating men were talking together at
weil-known downtown resort over the prospects o6
the regatta and the much disputed amateur quess
tion arose. 1t Is point TO which the Wat
kins Regatta Association wiz have TO pay
Ready proved that tho jealousy between rival
clubs has often led TO some very unpleasant contro-
vers,es tnat subject When the National Associa-
lion existence he greater part Of its time
taken up investigating charges preferred against
amateur rowers, IN many instances OF the most
trivial nature and evidently only mado with ~
view destroy the strength OF some rival organ-s
izaton. AS this regatta, however,, is gotten
cation It Will not be governed by auy outside par tie
and the matter will therefore receive proper attep-
ton IL would be FOOLISH any club 10 send a man
who is thorough amateur, naturally tho assocla.
ton will have committee to examine into MS status
and pass upon IT, The Watkins Associate have
shown their TO have the Uniled States property
represented and therefore they are bound " uqure
into the record oi the men they send The COM
mttce will doubt have rather unpleasant tasxg
before them and many ultlcaties TO contend wtn,l
but with equity as their guido they will DO able To-
dispose o many oi the echicaltes that VIII propaoiy
be raised.
Opinions appeared to be divided to the nunbcc,
that would be put training Tor the
ga,ta One gentleman thought there woud be ut Ieast
twenty iouroar crews the same number Of pairs and
probably forty single sculers Another, having con-
siderable knowledge oi rowing men, estimatedi
tho entries Tor The fOur-oar ioilows:-l
New YORK ana Now Jersey, seven crews; washington.
Pnadclphia and tho South, SIX crews the West eight
and the East three crews, making In all twenty
tour crews. Ii is Understood tnat tue railroad coh-
panics running INTO Watkins have offered TO carryi
competing and their boats to ana lro free OF
charge. THIS nberal offer will assist considerably
to swell tho number OF entrees it
viii very materially lessen the training expenses
1t was reported yesterday afternoon thar AT meet
ing the Autus Cuo, held on thursday evening, a
resolution passed to send Lcvien ana Walsh lo
part in the paroar contest, and they to
mcnce work on Monday on thc Harlem.
The Argonautas, 1t Is said have three mon selected.
and will so TO work as soon as thoy can lind gooda
fourth
THE OFFER OF THE WATKINS REGATTA AS
ISOLATION 10 THE AMATEUR oARsMEN oFs
AMERICA.
WATKINS, March Z. 1878.
To THE EDITOR HERALD:-
In view Of tho demand Tor trial test regatta, ia
determine representative oarsmen to be sent abroad
the coming season, movement has been foot for
several days past bring about such event. and
tho Watkins Regatta Association are now abe to an.
grand national test regatta open all amu.
tours, to take place the latter part OF May first oe
Juno next Representative races will embrace fours,,
pairs and singles, and Will BIO and Gvcsixtccn hs
of mile stra,ghtaway exact distance OF Henley
coursel Winning crews are 10 be sent to Henley-on,
Thames and Paris Exposition races by tho Walking
Regatta Association represent NATIVE ama.our oafs-
OF America Junior sugle and double scull racef
will be added and elegant prizes presented to tho
winncrs Exact dates and details oil regatta will Ia
furnished n few weeks and forwarded to all anna
tour clubs tho United States Seneca Lake Is
cedcd be the most beautiful sheet of water tha
State Of New York. and, owing to its great depth aud
buoy OF wator affords superior advantages for
gatta purposes. large and comnodous grand stand
course, and within snort distance OF the boat
houses. Free transportation for boats and crews wilk
be offered several OF the leading railway lines,
particulars OF which will be annou uccd hereafter. Thci
association intend making this the grandest uquac
event OF the season. and Will spare pains expens
In bringing about such result. Respectfully,
f. W. JACKSON, Secretary.
Tho officers of the Watkins Regatta Associationa
are-President General George }. Magce vico Presi-
dent. j. d. Payne; Treasurer, f. Davis Jr; Commo-l
dorc l. NJ. Canoe; Vice Commodore, l.. II. Durland; :;