Daily globe., 1883-08-19

ularity, a better class of people, recogniz-
ing the value of these great public
outdoor recreations, become identified with
them. and thus men with unimpeachable
regulations, who become spoons for such
events, virtually pledge their good names
as guarantees for fair transactions. 1t
will not be out of place here to analytic
the reason of failure in the recent Mime
tonka regatta. Who was at the head of
that affair as guarantee of fairness and
good management? Why would none OF
the men who came to row come as they dc
to other places for scale of prizes, IN
stead of certain stipulated sums, which
have to be deposited in the bank, and the
proof of such deposit given. 1t is GER
tainly needless for me to give
the answer to this simple question.
The difference between sportsmen and
sporting men is understood to be that
sportsmen are honorable men who foster
and promote sport and indulge in it be-
cause of their love for it and its beneficial
effects the so-called sporting man
may be lounger on looking for the main
chance, cool sharper, bunco steerer,
and, believe, even the agents of the ladies
who come under ordinance No. 10 are
classed among sporting men. There is no
less distinction in this class than you
find among politicians. The honorable
public spirited citizen who accepts posi-
ton in public service to do all that lays
in his power for the general
good; the scheming Office hold
er who more than hippodromes
under the cloak of his Office, the tough who
| is hired to bulldozs inofensive voters on
election days, and the common thief who
| acts as go-between between corrupt Off
cials and the criminal classes. All these
collectively are called politicians. In the
same manner the man who spends thou
sands of dollars annually to promote a
fayorite pastime, the common gambler
and plunger, and the nameless thing asso-
ciated with prostitution are, in the indis-
eliminating use of q word, collected under
the term sporting men" There are as
many different kinds of so-called sporting
men as there are different grades of poll
ticians, and the varieties of the latter are,
guess, no less numerous than the various
species of plants coming under the head of
vegetables. There is more ignorant pre-
judice brought to bear against sport than
against anything else that I can think of.
Everything and everybody connected with
sport is at times mercilessly assailed, until
by dint of hard work and perseverance a
top place is won and severe prebations are
passed. In sober truth, it is a wonder that
so many pass the ordeal, as strong tempta-
tions beset every man as soon as he attains
to any prominence.
That there is, proportionately, so much
honor and good faith among sportsmen is,
in my estimation, the best possible proof
that no man takes to sport from love of
it, except he has good, manly qualities.
The number of men who devote themselves
to sport from purely mercenary motives
ia comparatively small. When a man
embraces any branch of sport as pro-
fession his first and leading desire is,
almost without exception, to beat certain
records and performances, and to win a
prominent place. He may at the same
time have his eye on financial benefits
and why should he not (? The artist, the
author, the preacher, and every other
mortal is aetuated by the same double
motive. The fact is often held up to ridi-
cule that pedestrian, wrestler, a pugilist,
or an oarsman, some of whom are scarcely
able to read or write, should with single
performance earn as much money as GER
tain other men possessing extraordinary
mental capability who fill positions of
high rank and trust, and whose
compensation for an entire year is
often less than the reward of
comparatively ignorant man for a feat
performed, perhaps in one day, or even an
hour? Why this is so, is one or the ques-
tions more or less difficult to answer. Only
the masses at large can give a definite re-
ply. It may seem odd that an intelligent
people should be willing to give one man
ten or twelve thousand dollars for knock
ing out another man IN four rounds the
whole performance requiring twelve min
utes or less, and that the same people
should grudgingly give highly talented
man, filling responsible position, and
who does much good with his labors, a
mere fraction of such sums for whole
years work? What does that prove? Some
will answer: 1T proves a morbid desire
on the part of the lower classes to witness
an exhibition of brutality l say it don't.
This is pretty bold stand to take, and
recognize the fact, and l do not place my
self in this position without thought.
Strength, courage AMI skill have always
commanded attention and have been ad-
mired in all ages. In this age the highest
and lowest flock to see two redoubtable
champions face each other with their fists
and unprotected well trained bodies, while
in past ages valient knights encased them
selves in iron and steel, and with lance,
battle ak, and sword, fought until one or
the other were vanquished. Then, kings,
courtiers, and the masses were present
and applauded and made idols
of the victor, now statesmen,
men renowned for their talents and men
tai worth, and again the masses flock to
see man, physically supreme, without any
consideration of his mental or moral quail
ifeations.
Can any statesman, no matter what his
achievements may be, arouse the enthusi
asm of the people like soldier with one
single brilliant dash in arms?
Some will say that all this proves moth
ing. Who are those ''some?" Are they
not the over-civilized, the few whose meas
ure of brain is developed to exess at the
expense of their physical qualities? Are
they not those who are disappointed in
their aims, and who have set too high
value on their supeE-developed
faculties, but who are so constituted that
they are willing to judge the world only
by their own exaltation and refuse to admit
of opv nthar sfandard2