St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-05-15
CHAMPIONS IN SPORTS.


"All work and no play makes Jack a
boy" says the old nursery rhyme~
There is no danger, apparently, that
Americans will ever be dull people,
for although we are a nation of cease
less workers, we have also all a0un-
dance of sport to serve as an antidOte to
the evil effects of excessive labor. The
sports of America are limitless in num-
Der. and they are pursued with an
enthusiasm that is characteristic Of the
ardent nature of our people. We have
horse racing as IN England and France,
with many Improvements added. In
England they love fast horse. but he
mnst be runner. In America we also
entertain affection for the heroes of the
turf. but add to the running race the
trotting match. while pacing and rack
Ing have their admirers here. And even
i'll Eneland's chosen field America has
shown herself superior Twice have
the Derby races been won by horses
foaled and raised in the United States;
and this Ascot, ST. Leger and Asquith
purses have frequently been carried OFF
by competitors from this side of the At
lantic.
In aquatic sports the English are, per-
hapS, pre-eminent. The Oxford and
Cambridge crews have never been
beaten by American oarsmen. But for
many years our yachts have carried off
the cup over their British rivals. while
two AmericanS-Hanlan and Gandaur-
are the recognized champions among
scullers. Our rowing regattas may not
have awakened as widespread atten-
ton as the annual contests between
Oxford and Cambridge, but the Yale
Harvard matches each year are very
creditable exhibitions and commendable
limitations of the British event. The
yearly competitions of the Mississippi
Valley Rowing association, the North
western and the several college asSocia-
tons. have served to show that Ameri-
cans are very handy with the oar, and
are constantly improving. giving prom
Use OF surprising their British cousins
at no distant day.
we have tennis and racquet here as
ney have III England, and our players
are expert and make many creditable
exhibitions. While England enjoys a
practical monopoly of cricket, We have
base ball as a substitutes game far
better adapted to the American temper
ament than the favorite of John Bull.
In the United States billiards has
reached its highest perfection. Our ex-
perts have defeated all competitors.
winning laurels even from the French
champions, who were supposed to be
the cleverest in the world. Cycling has
reached its highest development here.
Not only are our wheels the best in
creation, but our riders have shown the
greatest speed and endurance. In pu-
gilism we have long held the champion
ship. anu one of our boxers now trav-
cling in Europe has excited the most
wide spread admiration because of his
Skill in 1.-The manly art" We have our
champions at chess and drauyh and
at whist our players can give odds to all
com erS.
America may be nation of active
workers. but it is likewise nation of
expert players. There is bat one fault
TO be found with America in this
direction; they too often make labor
OF that which should be diversion
Sport is not pursued for its own sake
and for the sake of the amusement 1t
gives. but as business. Monev.getting
enters into everything. 1t costs the
London public nothing to see the
Derby; it costs the American public a
dollar mead to see horse race, a base
ball or billiard match. The only sport
that is free to the public is the boat
race, and this is due to the fact that i. is
impossible to fence in the watercourses.
The mass of the people can witness
sports only by paving considerable
fee, while nearly all such events abroad
are free to the public. But the people
here seem content to pay, and there is
consequently no reason to complain.