National Republican., 1883-05-24
The Regatta Question.
TO The Editor.

10 Wt EUuOr.
In behalf of those who, like myself, have
labored TO organize an annual Potomac re-
gatta l th:nk you for the strong and intelli-
gent support which THE REPUBLICAN has
given to our enterprise. Our efforts have all
been directed toward the institution of re-
gatta which should attract clubs and visitors
from all parts ofthe country, and we thought
that, for this year, the time best calcu-
lated to accomplish this was the
week following the national regatta
which takes place at Newark on the
seventh and eighth of August. Many
clubs will train crews for this, the most
important event of the racing season, and 10
seemed probable that they might be induced
to run down here after finishing at Newark
We may have been in error as to August 10
being the best date, but it needs no argument
to prove that the action of the committee in
fixing upon the month of October is rank
burlesque, and that it is certain to render
Washington oarsmen and clubs ridiculous.
The month selected is one in which boating
has practically ceased in most parts Of the
country, in proof of which II is only necessary
TO point out that the latest boating event re-
corded in TIE Clippers calendar is a small re-
gatta for August Is. How IL is proposed to
to bring about an active competition a month
or six weeks after crews generally have dis
winter passes my comprehension.
The plea of ths two clubs, which insisted
upon delay, is that they need time to train the
new material which they have heen accumu-
lating during the past winter. As one of the
clubs announced in the committee almost in
the same breath that 1t was extremely un-
likely that they would be able to enter a crew
at all Ia condition of impotency heretofore
known, but none the less regretted), there
is no necessity for dwelling upon them. The
fact is that these gentlemen came together,
not to legislate for the best good of the Po-
tomac regatta, but bent upon getting every
possible advantage for their clubs without re-
gard to the wishes Of the people who de-
signed to contribute, and who naturally
wished to have the regatta reach the pro-
portions Of q national affair rather than be
confined to a purely local contest. l will
not attempt to account for the attitude
of one Of the clubs, but as
regards another / need only say
that prominent officer of it supplied what
is perhaps a sufficient explanation, when he
said yesterday to group of inquiring friends
that Kennedy wrote that we must put of
the regatta as long as possible"
May / take this occasion to correct mis-
apprehension in some minds. So far from the
Columbia club having been exacting in its
| demand in racing matters, its history has
been just the reverse. In 1881 1t rowed
and won q race with local club as late as
October 81, having been rather curtly in.
1 formed, in response to protests against so late
date, that 1t was October 81 or no race.
Again, in October, 1882, il rowed and, won
the principal races in the regatta, although il
had used every endeavor TO have the races
earlier. But, sir, we have found that it Il
not safe to continue in training so late in the
season, and we do not desire TO 60 through il
again.
In conclusion, may say that we are think
supported us SO handsomely, some good racing
about the middle of August, even If we have
TO go it alone. CHARLES L. Coon.