Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-08

why size Rsves club ofthe University
Dtd Mos Row.

ALEXANDRIA, Va, July s, 1888.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
As Il seems that Misunderstanding have
arisen az to our reasons for not rowing IN the
iour-oared eig-race 81 Wednesday, we deem
II due 10 ourselves and our club 10 make
public our reasons and our position In the
matter.
We reached Alexandra Tuesday night,
expecting 10 be present at meeting OF the
representatives the next morning and decide
upon all the preliminary arrangements for
the race, a. we were under the impression
that II bad been the custom In former wears,
and custom founded upon common sense
aud justice. On our arrival we were inform
ed that there would be 9 meeting OF the
representatives the next morning at 10
O'Clock. At the appointed time our repre-
sentative was present, as were also repre-
sentstives OF the Old Demiaion, University
School, aad Rappahsnnock Clubs. When
the question OF the time OF the race was
raised three out OF the four representatives.
present were opposed to the hour suggested
by the Old Dominion Club--Rsmely, 3 o'clock
p. NJ, aud claimed that this. the most inn
portaut race Of the day, and the one ia which
the ASSOCIATION was most interested, should
be put at q time more favorable Ter racing, "a
had been the oustem in all previous regattss-
there never having been time when this
was made the FIRST race Of the dsy and con-
sequenny put at the most Hnfavorable hour
and q molten was made 10 this effect, but
the president OF the association, who Ia also
president Of Tie Old Dominion Club, ruled
that the Old Dominion Club. and 1t
alone, should decide upon the time
Of the race and the ether three clubs re-
presented there should have no voice In
the matter. and would have had to row at
O'Clock that morning il the Old Dominion
had 20 wished; thus ruling that the home
club, In addition 70 the advantage OF their
own water, should have the eutire aud un.
conditional right 70 set the time OF tue rtce,
in spite OF the fact that one OF the represen-
taHves present cited case tLynchourg,
1881 In which the time suggested by the
home crew was not satisfactory TO the visit
ing crews, and at their request the time was
decided by vote, ~ we with the other repre-
sentstives were then claiming the right 10
decide Il: and another OF the represent
tatives claimed and held that it bad been
customary for the crews TO adopt their own
programme.
When such action was reported TO the
Riyes crew al =. NJ, Just two hours before
the time chosen by the Old Dominion TO row,
we at once protested against such open yio-
lation OF the rights and utter disregard OF
the wishes Of a majority OF the clubs repre-
sented, and when no notice was taken OF our
protest we withdrew from the contest aud
refused 10 have anything more b do with
regatta purportiug 10 be held by the crews
of the State Of Virginia, yet In which tue
rIght and wish OF the majority is made SUBJ
serVient TO the will OF one club, aud the
other clubs shut out. The statement
that we refused to row on account
of The heat IL entirely false, and had
any approach 10 an adequate reason for
having the race at O'Clock been advanced
by the Old Dominion Club, we would have
been willing TO row the race, but in the alb
sence OF any reason whatever for that I'M
suitable and unprecedented hour and the en-
tire disregard OF the other crews we deemed
it due ourselves and our club TO withdraw
from the contest. After the race. in which
the Old Dominion was successful, their repre-
sentative proposed TO us TO row for the
medals which accompany the French chal-
lense cup. Our reply was prompt and
decided and in accord with our former
position, that we would row the Old Do
minion crew for the championship OF the
state ut any time later IN the evening that
they might suggest, which challenge they
took under consideration, and gave an an
swer that they were willing, but tbs repre-
sentative OF the Rappahannock Club object
ed. and therefore they could not row us.
The members Of the Old Dominion Club
doubtless think that their action towards us
with regard to the race was fair and cour-
teOus, but they must sgree with us that the
remarks made about our crew at the presen-
tatisn OF tie prizes were both dlscourteous
and improper, inasmuch as we were the in
vited guests Of the Old Dominion on that oc-
casiop. With us the matter is ended.
LEWIS NJ. q. BAKER,
CHARLES III. c. PRESTON,
4. J.. RossER, Jn.,
Il. X. MAssIE,
Riyes Club OF University OF Virginia.