Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-27
A REVIEW Of SPORTS,
Interesting Case Pertaining to the
Qualifications of an ANA
teur ScIller.
PRESIDENT GlRFIELD'S VIEWS
Good Effect of the Court Decision In the
Roy Wilkes Case Recently Tried =.
at Chicago.
PRESIDENT GARFIELD'S VIEWS
THE MITCHELL AND CoRBETT AFFAIR.
Tali Of the Proposed Big Battle and Pitssimmons
Latest Challenge to Hall

there is a tendency to draw the lines tighte
and tighter regarding amateur athletes {
all classes. Last year there was quite
squabble among the leaders of amateurs
this country regarding the limits beyon
which an amateur should not go. The cor
tentions and discussions which then too
place particularly referred to contestin
amateurs receiving money for Expenses.
etc, 1t was generally agreed tha
an amateur should not receive money fo
his performances, but that a certain kim
of expenses could be allowed him. This al
refers to bicycle riders, foot runners an
jumpers.
But there is case under consideration a
present which not only concerns Pittsbur!
directly but further all the aspiring anna
teur rowers in the country. The case is no
settled yet, and therefore 1 withhold an,
names. NV only reason for citing the cas-
is to point out how careful young men mus
now be as to how they contest and who they
contest against if they want to join or re
main in the amateur ranks.
At present a Young man of this vicinity il
making application to join the National
Association of Amateur Oarsmen, that is he
Is trying 20 become member OF club con.
nec;ed with that association. Some time
ago he rowed a race, and the fact of hi:
rowing that race is causing considerable
investigation and discussion, because some
people claim that the race was for money
and others contend that it was only for q
scarf pin, but that there was an outside bet
on the result. At any rate President II. w.
Garfield, of the National Association re-
tered to- has been appealed to, and it is to
his very definite and searching questions on
the matter that wish to specially refer.
Few Pointed Queries.
A few days ago l received a letter on the
matter from President Garfield as we'll as
several questions regarding the race that 1
just mentioned. Here are the questions:
How was this match brought about?
Rowing a race Tor prize would disquality
q man if the sculler against whom he ap-
peared was a professional or had previously
rowed for a money stake. If two men
make an outside bet on race it does not
necessarily affect the competitors, and vet
ii NAV. II all depends upon their connec-
tion with the wager. Had the competitors
anv interest in the bet, direct or indirect?
Was the prize merely a subtertuge? Was the
race in fact rowed for stake? In other
words after the first $50 or SIS, as the case
NAV be, was put up, would the race have
been rowed if that deposit had not been
covered"
Without doubt President Garfed's ques-
tions cover the entire ground, and although
il would be extremely unfair on nv part to
give answers to them here / think they are
direct enough TO be kept by all amateurs
for guidance. am making no breach of
trust in now giving them to my readers and
am sure they will do good / am quite
aware that there are so-called amateur
scullers in Pittsburg, when measured by
what the above questions imply, are no
more amateurs than John L. Sullivan and
Edward Hanlon are. In fact, outside of
J ohm Martin it would probably be difficult
10 find an amateur sculler who would fill
the bill
But most certainly am glad that there is
a desire and apparently determination to
have amateurs bona fde in future, no mat
ter what they NAV have been in the past.
True 1t is that many of our present amateurs
were admitted into the ranks in the loosest
possible and it may be that they
are the strongest sticklers for rigid methods
now. Be that asst may, it is we'll that there
should be determination to have Simon
pure amateuusm in future.
An Encouraging Sign.
Speaking of amateurs reminds me of a
1 had with j. A. Wells the
other day on his return from the meeting of
the Atlantic division of the A. A. Z. Mr..
Wells assured ME that Pittsburg now stands
very high among the Eastern representa-
tives OF amateurism, and / asked: Why
shouldn't ii? Very soon well have four
clubs connected with the A. A. Q. Surely
that ought to command respect
We are TO have two field meetings here
and that, at least, will be a starter. We
couldn't secure big championship meeting
this time, but if our clubs will keep to the
front our turn will come. Both the East
End GYMS and the Three AS are to have
meetings, and if these are worked up to sue
cesses our claim for bigger events will be
all the greater
1t is rumored that there is a desire on the
part of the Three AS to withdraw from the
Atlantic division and join the Central di-
vision. This may and may not have good
results If the desire is accomplished, but it
s generally understood that the Atlantic
division is the best of the entire lot.
A Great Public Good.
Any person, directly or indirectly, inter-
.sted in trotting races must feel very glad
II the outcome of the case in which L. A.
Davis, owner of Roy Wilkes, the famous
,ourt against the infliction of fine i'm
posed on him by trotting association. The
,ase was very simple one, about the only
question at issue being: HAS local asso-
,iation the right to withhold a purse from
/ winning horse in consideration of an un-
,aid fine, by the owner, to the general asso-
,iation?"
That was Mr. Davis case. He was fined |
800 for the questionable performance of |
lis horse. He refused to pay it and his |
lorse subsequently won $500, which was |
,ept back by the Kentucky association as a /
et of for the fine. The court at Chicago |
Iecided against Mr.. Davis. This decision |
means that the stability of trotting laws as
ules are acknowledged by the judges of
he land and that the various associations
ave the power to fine and thereby insist
n honesty among horses and drivers. This,
'eyond all doubt, is a public benefit and
he authorities of every trotting track |
ught TO act with more spirit and inepend-
nee now than they have ever done.
A Stir Among the ScuIIers.
Loi these many years we have waited for
q Australian sculler TO come to this coun-
nv and tackle our champions, and this
-aiting often seems to me as foolish as the
lown's waiting of the brook to run dry so
S TO get to the other side. Every now and
gain one seems to see hope of some of our
down under" champions coming here, but
hey come not. There is still one more raw
+ hope, although that ray may be some
hat dim at present
That very promising, or 1 may say al
eady good, sculleT, Sullivan, of New
ealand, has definitely challenged Stans-
ury to a race for the championship, anG of
purse that will mean contest Stansbury,
! champion, must meet his rival, and as
esult OF the race we NAV have the winner
ere before next fall If Sull:-an vips |