Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-20

iflenuS ana TIE puDllC all OppOlluhieJ
TO know that dangerous persons were
permitted private interviews at his
training quarters.for several days prior
10 the race. We believe if these facts
were at the time of their occurrence
made known to the public, that Mr..
Courtney and his boats would have re-
ceiyed such attention as to have rem
dered it utterly impossible for any per-
son or persons 10 have injured either
the man or his boats.
By study and from some experience
we are under the impression that
referees duty commences with the day,
if not at the hour OF starting; the first
duty is to see that the stake-boats and
turning buoys are properly placed, and
that tie distance is in full accordance
with the articles OF agreement. Boating
men, especially college boating men,
will recall how one gentleman acting
as referee in one of our great annual
rowing contests, started the boats with
out knowing either that the distance
was correct or the stake boats in their
proper positions. This was in the re-
patta known as the diagonal line finish,
which was rowed July 18th, 1873. When
the referee is satisfied that everything
is in readiness he takes the most fayora-
BILE position attainable, in order that he
may have an unObstructed view OF the
course and the contestants from the mo-
ment of starting TO the crossing oil the
finishing line. There referees duty
ceases, provided there is no disagree q,
ment OF the Judges. Should they fail
to agree they appeal to the referee,
whose decision is final. We claim that
where there is any suspicion OF wrong
as there seems to have been in this
Casa referee stands to protect the
public as he should the rights OF the
contestants, and il there is any clear
ground OF belief that any one or more OF
the principals are playing false, the pub
lie ought to be made aware OF the fact;
let the head official in these athletic
affairs expose any wrong-doing, and ev-
ery branch in that line would be health
Ter and command its proper status.
We have said that some one or more
persons were to blame for this great
disappointment and wrong to the pub
lie. it surely was not Hanlan; he was
there and with his boats according to
agreement, ready and willing to fill
his part of the contract, which
he eventually did. This celebrated
sculler has never yet disappointed the
public. and TO his credit be it said,
he started i'm one race when out OF con-
ditiOn rather than have the people who
were present in great numbers disap-
pointed. Therefore not one breath OF
suspicion from the failure OF October
10Th can rest upon him.
One word in reference to the award
inc of the prize. In equity, and we be-
live at law, Hanlan is justly entitled to
it, and there is but one way that he can
be deprived of it, viz, by proving that
he was party to the cutting or saving
of Courtney's boats, and by that means
prevented Courtney from rowing on the
day and at the hour designated. In such
a case Mr.. Soule and the Hop Bitters
Company would have good defence.
But We sincerely hope, for the sake OF
this grand old pastlme, ii for nothing
else, that this case will never be brought
into court.
There are to-day many thousands OF
persons who believe in COurtney's power
as an oarsman, and they call upon him
ave, mOre-they demand that he shall
place himself right in this last affair.
Mr.. Courtney, as a stranger, We took the
liberty To offer YOU words OF advice and
announcement several years since; it
was not offensive to yOu then; allow us
10 saw word in kindness this time.
You know your own strength and pow
crs of endurance better than all others.
If YOU are satisfied that the sickness
caused by pleursy, or by any other
cause, has decreased these tried powers
that are so essential in first-class oars
man. let the public know the fact can
didy. We all know what you have
done, but the question is OF to-day, and
the people are waiting your answer.
The more we look at the iasco the
more contemplate it appears. Does it
not seem reasonable that all interested
parties should receive their reward, and
not one penny accrue to the one vino
gave the entertainment? The railroads
and hotels have been paid, The book
makers and booksellers received their
share by deducting per centage on
every ticket issued. The Hop Bltters
Company received theirs in the way OF
advertising throughout the city, State
and country and if the statement pub
lished in the EreRing Telegram is correct,
others received their share; but Han
Ian as vet nothing except an order
which is of no more value than piece
of blank paper. The New York Herald of
October Is, in letter from their CORES
pondent or reporter says: "The referee
has a dispatch from the cashier of the City
Bank Of Rochester, saving: we have
on deposit six thousand dollars payable
TO your order" Was such a dispatch
received, and il it was, was it genuine ?
Hanlan rowed over the cOnrSe-the full
distance-On the day and hour named
in the articles OF agreement; he was
started by the official who had the right
and power to start him; this gentleman
declared Hanlan the winner and pre-
scented him with what he thought was
an order for the prize, and which in all
honorable dealing should have been paid
if the above dispatch was truthful; for
it reads pay to the order of the ref
cree and the paper bore the signature
of that official.
And now, Mr.. Courtney, a frank
word: your first consideration in this
affair Is your personal honor, and the
respeCt.yOu owe your country's aquatics,
and also TO all its lovers, promoters and
advocates; they have been kind to you
in former days and very many are still
your best friends. They desire and beg
of you to redeem your honorable man
hood. Do one of two things: row Han
Ian, or say to the public over your sigma
ture that YOU do not think yourself able
to do so. Hanlan puts up six thousand
dollars OF his money, for he is the right
iul owner OF that sum- by virtue of his
winning it on the 10th OF October. In
rowing for this large amount you risk
not one penny except your time and la
Dor. No man in the line OF athletics
ever had such an opportunity to COM
pete for six thousand dollars. and at the
same time redeem himself This is
your great opportunity which, if you
avail OF promptly, will be Of far greater
value, now and hereafter, than any
prize that gold or silver can purchase.