Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-07-07
ALEXANDRIA. july 7.1sSS


To the editor of the Alexandria Gazette:
The card of the Rives Club in regard to their
non-particpation in the State regatta would need
no answer among boating men, but reply is NO.
cesssry to show the public that everything was
perfectly fair aud that their position is emit rely
untenabe.
In regard to who has tho right to fl the time
and order of the races, the home committee invs-
riably has the right, and does it, as stated by the
captain of one of the Washington clubs to-day. 1t
is done By the home committee in Washington
Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey. In the
National Association of Amateur Osrsmen the re.
gatta committee fixes it, but the crews particpst-
ing have voice in it whatever. in tho case
cited in Lynchburg in 1883 the objection was
made by the University crew. but the committee
was sustained, if the memory of persons who were
there can be depended on. If the University
crew can show where any other crew except
themselves has ever offered such objection it is
more than we ever heard of.
SO much for the right; now for the reason for
fixing the gig race at 3 p. NJ, which they say
lacking. The Old Dominion crew most respect
fully state that they expected 10 meet the Poto-
mac big four in the open-gig race. and they were
considered far more formidable than the Univer-
sity crew. and the Old Dominion wanted time 10
rest after the State gig race at 3, in order to row
the Potomacs at $50 p. IN.
AS for the hour being Unprecedented, this is at
surd in view Of the fact that every year the
of the National Association begin at 100 or p.
N and where there were to be seven races some
had be rowed early, and it plain that this
was the best arrange meut that could be made, as
the Old Dominion Was the only crew that intend
ed or d Id row two races
The President and Secretary OF the State Asso-
citation heard Mr.. Redwood say it was too b. to
row at 8 o'clock SO the report is not false J he
University crew were not present and might not
have heard it, and it might not have been their
reason but Mr. Redwood, their coxswain and
representative, stated it,
versity crew, but We do object to Mr.. Redwood,
who is Captain of the L'Hlrondelle Boat club III
Baltimore. He has never been q resident Of Char
lottesville nor been student at the University,
aud, therefore. we can not consider him bona
fde member of the University crew. and do not
consider that he had any right in the Association
as delegate, had he right to be coxswi in
in the race, and the representative of the o. ID. b.
c. only abstained from ohjecting to him in the
Association in order to have harmony. We can
not help but think that to Mr.. Redwood is due
the action of the Rves crew. Finally it looks
very pua,ie to object and not to row unless you
can have your own way. Be it remembered that
the Old Dominions were beaten twice at Fred
erick,burg. They did not kick or object to any
thing or any body, but just made up their minds
to try it again until they were successful; and
they would like to state to their opponents that
they prefer rowing them on water aud not on pa
por, and let it be ended when one crew comes in
ahead J. F. BLACKWELL.