The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-23
REAL AMATEUR ATHLETES.
New YORK. March ~. 1879.


New YORK. March ~. 1879.
To THE EDITOR THE HERALD:
On April and prox. athletic meeting under
the auspices of the Columbia College Boat Club. will
be held at Gilmore's Garden. which meeting there
will be. among others. open to all ANA
tours. Amateur meetings being invaded
by u class of contestants whose presence
and association are injurious. Such contestants
have been particularly active during the
past season. and have been backed heavily by their
friends. In the interim between meetings they
have roamed through the country. appearing in con-
tests held ostensbly to encourage amateur ath-
letic but really for the benefit Of spectators inter
ested solely in the gate money. To tempt these
"smateurs' to appear at their 'shows the specula-
tors comply with the letter but evade the spirit
of the law to prizes by Offering valuable
prizes easily convertible into money and in
tended to be converted. This system of
indirectly hiring amateur" contestants is most per-
nicous in its effect 1t deceivcs the public by call
ing these devices Of spectators amateur meetings.,
encourages professionals to contend under false
colors for profit and not honor. and will eventually
bring discredit upon meetings OF bond e amateurs.
These amateurs in name and professionals ut heart
tolerated in amateur contests because tne inter-
probation hitherto given to the definition Of anna
teur has been held not to warrant their exclusion.
With the desire of encouraging bond fde to the ex-
clusion of nominal amateurs, the Columbia College
Boat Club calls attention the amended definition
of an amateur and the accompanying rules herewith
submitted. This definition and the rules which
were framed after consultation with Mr.. Thomas W.
White and other prominent amateur athletes, have
been adopted by the club for its government in all
games which may be held under its direction. and
the club earnestly hopes that they may be adopted
by all amateur athletic clubs.
The general acceptance Of the definition and rules
OF March 20 1872 ana their strict application will it
abandon at and forever his questionable associ
atoms and practice or to take his proper place
among professional athletes, contamination de-
voutly to be wished by all who have at heart tho
continued honor and usefulness Of amateur athletic
meetings J. 7. GOODWIN,
President Columbia College Boat Club
AMATEUR ATHLETES.
DrrlSirlos-An amateur athlete is who practices
and no, as business or for gain p''"''''
person who violates any of the following rules will
be considered in the of this definition
RULE l-No amateur can compete m an open compe
money.
but shall be held bamecss for competing with
professional entry has been accepted In
Hy Of
Of the he enters his protest before starting
athletic exercises u means of livelihood.
In addition to the above the following will be
forced on and after March rs, 1S79-
RULE mo amateur compete In any public games
not under tho direction Of or given by recognized ANA
RUIZ 5-No amateur can compete in nny public
the profits or any part Of tho profits from which ere to BIO
conraeen,ent Of athletic exercises among amsteurs
RULE 6.No amateur can as condition OF his ccmpct
Ing demand the appointment or withdrawal OF spec
fed Individual officer ut amateur athletic meet
eg Of the
he claim any privileges not accorded to other
RULE mo amateur oncr his entry for any games
under assumed or from club OF which he is not
n member.
RrLES-N amateur whom entered for handicap race
refuse to give his public record when asked Tor 1t by
tho club under whose direction the race is given.
RrLE 0No amateur can have his expenses any part
BY "hs Of hs r
rule shall operate where recognized athletic club
dctrnys the expenses of I'LL contestants alike.
RUIZ 1O-No amateur can accept any compensation of
any KIND directly or Indirectly condition of or because
hts connection with any athletic club games, FOR
The OF his name in such connection
RULE 1l-No amateur can enter In games in which
the prizes arcjarticles OF merchandise or trade.
RULE I2-No amateur sell or hypothecate his prizes
dispose of them for any equivalent
RUIZ 13No amateur can bet on any contest for which
lie has entered receive directly indirectly the
profits any share OF them of bet any such contest
RuLE l4Any person guilty Of conduct which tend
bring athletic sports into dsrcputc shall bc
deemed amateur.