Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-16

/ the clubs would be unable to pay young profess
slonals but it is also true that these same clubs
are unable to secure the best of material now,
so that in almost any sense the question re-
| solves itself into one Of the survival OF the
| nttest 1t does not seem reasonable to expect.
| that there will be ten clubs in the county
league next year. Probably four or six clubs
| will be found who can afford to keep good
nine together. If this is so the organization
| Will be good one
Teemer's Programme.
John Teemer the sculler, has gone East to
take part in regatta at Boston tomorrow. 1t
is pity that Ar. Teemer did not find
time to explain why he so mysteri-
ously dropped out of the negotiations
for a race with Gaudaur. In commenting
| On this point some time ago intimated that
| it probably might not be Teemer's fault that a
match was not made between himself and Gau-
| daur. am informed, upon what appears to be
! good authority, that Teemers hackers have
what we may call weakened. However that
may be- it is unfortunate for Teemer that he
| issued such a defiant challenge before he knew
| definitely whether or not he had stake De
! hind. As a result Teemer has had to retreat in
most ingloriouS way. Whether or not he
and Gaudaur will row any match races this
year know not, but 1 am inclined to think
| that Teemer's next challenge will have to be
! accompanied with a good sized forfeit before
it is noticed. Teemer's departure, however,
| reminds us that the rowing season is upon US
| again. A few years ago this fact interested
/ many people. but few indeed, seem to care
about it now. However, there is every in
| dication that the scullers will be toler'
ably busy between now and the fall.
don't think that America will see
much of the fun, as the proposed big
There may be some good races here, however,
| before the talent sail for England. 1t may be
that Teemer will be in the party that goes to
England, and if he is we may rest assured that
Gaudaur will be there also. We NAV then ex-
pect to see contests in which Searle, OConnor,
Teemer and Gaudaur will take part. The most
formidable of the quartet seems to be OCon-
nor However, Teemer will find plenty of back
ing in England. He made many friends there
when he last visited the country.
The Amateur Scullers.
1t seems as if there is more interest in anna
teur boat racing now than tn ere has been for
long time; certainly the public is taking more
notice of the amateurs than of the profession
ais This fact shows what great changes can
take place in short time. We can almost all
remember when an amateur, even the very
best was little thought of by the public. The
great feature of all aquatic contests was the
professionals, and through causes which don't
reflect much TO the credit of professional
rowers the amateurs are the idols of to-day.
Well. our great amateur, mean the champion
of the United States, has arrived in England
and is preparing to win championship laurels
there. Mr.. Psotta's arrival has been kindly
and flatterlngly noticed by the English sport
his chances of victory. Following is the notice
that one prominent paper gives: "The Amer
ican amateur champion, who is visiting this
country in order to compete for the Diamond
sculls. reached London to-day Saturday. and
after a short stay repaired to Putney, where he
spent the afternoon at the quarters of the
Thames Rowing Club. He is a member of Cor
nell University. the Schuylkill Navy and the
New York Athletic Club (under whose flag he
will scull), and very likely looking man, being
of the Hanlan type of build, weighs IL stone 10
S,al, avnA c Int of
The two sculling boats have gone on to Henley,
whittier Mr.. Psotta makes his way on Monday,
and after spin or two over the regatta course
will most likely return to Putney, there to
train for the event. The voyager brings a big
reputation with him, and, if we mistake not
will make the best of them sit up"
The Decline of Foot Racing.
There is no denying the fact that the popu-
larity of foot racing, particularly sprinting, is
and has been on the wane for long time 1t
is practically killed in America, and its death
knell was sounded by its most prominent pa
irons. But sprinting also seems to be on the
down-grade at Sheffield. The WhitsIntide
handicap had Y entries, and there were only a
acceptsnces. This is not all encouraging.
There are many alleged causes for this remark |
able filling of. Some authorities claim it is |
from the erratic manner in which the starts have
been apportioned to the competitors. Other |
authorities claim that systematic swindling has |
been going on there for long time and honest |
people are washing their hands of it. What |
ever the causes are, the fact remains that the |
acceptances for the handicap in question are |
among the worst on record. 1t will he pity if |
terlzed the sprinting contests in this country of |
late assumes full sway in other countries. One
by one professionals seem to be killing off the
Oldest and best sports.
Looks Like a Fight,
After all it looks as if John L. Sullivan fully
intends to enter the ring with Kilrain. The
big fellow talks SO positively about the af-
fair that we must give him credit for honesty of
purpose-that is, We ought in all fairness to be-
eve that he is saying whs: he thoroughly believes
TO be true, However it will be better and safer
TO believe that Sullivan and Kilrain will fight
when we know they are in the ring The latest
advices from England state that Kirain is a 6 to4
cause the English press very strongly assailed
Sulllvan's pugilstic pretensions when he was over
there; tle some Of the leading authorities argued
was not seer at his best in England, and don't
maintain that Sullivan need not be at his best to
defeat hllraln. think all good judges will agree
WILL Win me On TINS point put even with this con-
staring us in the face. How much is Sullivan
short OF his very best! That's the important
entire affair. That Sullivan is at his best nor
wni ne be next month is just as true as the fact
he was 20 or 30 years ago. 1t is all very well TO talk
ABOUT sullivan getting easily down to weight that
is the weight at which he intends to fight |
| am afraid that this getting -down-to-wefgh ht
? nnsiness n@ viii mlslead many people and 1t may be
point. 1t may be, and think it will be- that when
Sullivan gets down to his weight he'll find that his
muscle is not that hard and powerful muscle thai |
made his arm terror to all men few years ago, |
Let me illustrate thispoint by recalling chapter
was terror TO the world. He was powerful and |
clever man, so much SO that he made short work |
Of man like Harry Orme. Broome had been
liant eye of his brother. Well. in 1858 he was |
pugilistic king. After his fight with Orme he |
and Paddock got into an argument about their |
abilities, and a match was the result |
s ~ Sor@eg 5roSme got down to weight but
simply butchered him. There are many SINH | ,
;d,n ar INSTANCES but this is directly to the
with unimpalred strength he will be one of the |
most remarkable men known in pugilistic his
irst-class article but he will be in as good con-
1ition when he fights Sullivan as he ever was in
his life At present L have an idea that Kfrain !
md his instructors intend to make waiting game
)i IT, Mltchell's success against sullivan by as
ain t do IiEcSise hTt bn6r prompt Nil
'ut these tactics good Mitchell remains to be
een. one thing, however, seems certain to me- |
month, and sullivan cannot certainly know much !
more than be did when he failed to de.eat I
uss definitely the respective merits of Sullivan I
nd hilrain The former will undoubtedly he |
he popular man. but popularity is one thing and {
EXCELLENT physical condition is another. I
Meyers Challenge to Carney.
William Meyer, known Billy Meyer, the
Western Cyclone, has challenged Jem Carney TO a .
ght for any amount of money. If anything
'ould surprise me among these pugiiists Icoufess
nat Meyers challenge would do SO; but really, l
ouldn't be surprised were Meyer to challenge |
eter jackson. But what seems strange to me | 7
le fact that Meyer can secure battle with sew 8