The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-21
Dishonored Cha mpions.

NO greater dishonor could have been cast
on professional boating and no greater
injury couio nave been inflicted on its
future prospects than have been brought
about by the disgraceful scenes connected
with the Mayville fiasco. It's result will
be widespread. since the principals. Han.
Ian and Courtney, have been markedly
prominent in the boating world
One has boen the amateur chamnion .,
America the other is champion of Enc
land and America, and, in these titles. prac
tically champion of the world.
The public believed these men in their
professions OF good faith, and thought
that, with so much to gain and so MANY
honors in jeopardy in the aquatic titles
they held or coveted, the race arranged for
Chautauqua Lake would be honestly and
earnestly contested.
The first check which the public con-
fdence received arose from the fact that
these honorable men were seeking to locate
the race by sort of public auction; but
confidence was restored by move which
completely disarmed public suspicion.
distinguished ex-oar of Harvard College,
gentleman in whom the public had every
confidence, was prevailed on to accept the
position Of referee, and to him these men,
Hanlan and Courtney, bound themselves to
do oil things in a straightforward, honest
and manly way.
Thepublic were satisfied and all prepara-
tions for the race progressed, evidently in
good faith. They secured the public faith
by the association Of gentleman's good
name with theirs, and they then endeavored
to bargain the race away secretly, if the
afidavits of one of the principals is to be
believed. The public will add it's own con-
illusions respecting man who can listen to
such offers and plots, and, later, allow his
boats to be unguarded and destroyed.
These professionals have used the good
name of gentleman in this instance to win
public confidence, but it will be the last
time they will do it, we imagine-certainly
so far as the late referee is concerned.
There is but one way to punish mon guilty
of deceiving the public by such means.
They should be tabooed by every respect
able oarsman, amateur and professional,
and made to feel the oaium Of their position.
Hereafter let amateurs refuse to lend their
names as judges or referees in professional
contests, and let the public be careful to
investigate for themselves the merits of
proposed race, and remain away from any
exhibition about which there is even a
breath of suspicion. Professional athletic
contests of all classes have been injured by
ic Glo,1 TON T,a1y off wi ha
long before the lost confidence will be re-
stored; but the public should be discrimi-
mating, and not condemn in consequence
outdoor sports generally, or declare all pub
lie games to be "hippodromes." Under the
influences which have developed love
of water and field sports SO remarkably
during the past ten years young genera
ton is growing up, who, by reason of their
improved physique, will be masters, mem
tally and physically, of the generation
which is passing away. The cause of this
improvement-an interest in healthful rec-
reations-should be encouraged when it is
rightly directed, and no such disgraceful
affair as this at the Lake should be allowed
to reflect upon all aquatic or field sports or
upon genuine contests.
Stripped of public confidence, of the
purse, of all but the barren honors Of the
mpionship-whch may yet go also-let
these men, Hanlan and Courtney, go forth
as a warning to all similarly inclined, and
let the stamp Of public disapproval of such
affairs be deep and enduring, that it may be
long remembered.