Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-23

much interest in the championship contests
as there is this year. Yesterdays crowd at
Springfield is sure augury of the immense
numbers of people that will witness the big
event of next Thursday at Brooklyn. Most
certainly the popularity of the game has
increased considerably during the last
u months; nay, less than II months
l might say since the season COM
menced: No doubt the disrepute into witch
baseball fell has had much to do with the
increased popularity of football, not only in
this city, but in other cities. There Bever
was so much street talk in Pittsburg about
a leading football match as there was yes
terday about the Yale Harvard contest and
there was considerable betting here on the
result. Last evening observed
several tolerably strong bets made
regarding next Thursdays game, the
bets being made at even money But as have
lust remarked, this increased enthusiasm about
expect to see leagues being formed In different
parts OF the country, Our local Rugby players
nave apparently taken rest, and the Assocla-
ton klckers have now possession as far as
cause 1t will give those who take an interest In
football an opportunity to judge as
to the comparative merits of the two
codes. i don't hesitate to say that l
prefer the Association method, one of my chief
reasons being that it does not permit of such
rough work as do the Rugby rules. However,
we shall all have good chances to compare the
two, as l understand there are to be Association
games here every Saturday until the close OF
the season. There are more local Association
clubs than there are Rugby organizations and
this will enable the Athletic club to arrange
games much cheaper than bringing Rugby
players from far-of cities.
McLean's Victory.
The announcement in the newspapers the
other oay to the effect that Mclean had de-
feated Stansbury in scull race in Australia
somewhat puts us in muddle regarding the
championship of the world. 1t does more. 1t
upsets entirely that old guide, public form.
Doubtless the question of who is the champion
sculler of the world will be more warmly con-
tested than ever, and it reminds US of that re-
markable period in aquatic history when Boyd,
Higgins. Elliott and Blackman were all strug-
Cling for the big title. OF course we have only
an imperfect knowledge yet as to
the McLean-Stansbury race, but consider
ing the matter from general
has the title now. 1 am only making
this remark with not an absolutely clear
knowledge as to the conditions and circum-
stances of the contest. But l have always
claimed that Stanshury was the legitimate
champion if any champion there was. and
further argued that the race between O'Connor
and StansbHry was certainly for the worlds
championship, and when L contended this
was mindful of the claim that Kemp and Nc
Lean set up In their race. There was no possi-
BILE reason that could l perceive for Kemp
that he and Mclean were rowing for
the worlds championship, while failed to see
how any reasonable argument could be used
to show why Stansbury and O'Connor were not
rowing for the title. In my mind, then, a race
between Stansbury and Mclean must have
been for the championship, and the latter being
the winner, must be entitled to championship
honors. But if we look at the result of the
race from standpoint of form, 1t is more in
still, as it makes Peter Kemp out to
be much better rover than he has been given
credit for. If it does not do that, it makes
OConnor out to be much inferior to the public's
estimate OF him. Kemp defeated Mclean
quite easily, and Stansbury hadn't much
trouble disposing cf O'Connor. This at best
makes the latter to be considerably
behind Australian form. because it goes
to show that three men at least
can defeat him easily. And to reason cor.
recty from these facts II places Kemp far
above any of them, and further goes to show
that rowing form in America is no form at all
when compared with Australian form. But
hesitate before coming to any such conclu-
sion. As far as the question of form is con-
cerned, am inclined TO think that there has
been something wrong in these Australian races.
Mark, don't mean to say there has been any
hing dishonesty wrong. I mean that some
hing has existed that has spoiled true form in
'ome way, and upset all calculations to such a
yreat extent This, of course, is only surmise
Then again l am inclined to think there are
better rowers in America than O'Connor. If
here not. see little use OF the Australians
coming to this country to row anybody here,
because it would be foolish for our representa-
ives to court such certain defeat.