St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-08-09
PROFESSIONALISM AGAIN.

and foolish business policy.
PROFESSIONALISM AGAIN,
A sincere and general approval
was given by the sport-loving public
to the vigorous criticism by the
q b e some time ago of the en-
croaehment of the professional Spirit
in American sports. We had occa-
sion to show then how the desire to
win by fair means if possible, by
sharp practice or brutality if not.
was marring athletics and DESTROY
ing the peoples interest in those con-
tests which they dearly love to wit
ness when decided strictly on the
merits of the contestants. Events
within the last few years have shown
that there has been distinct decline
IN manly sports exactly as far as
they departed from the fine old rule
of man against man, without favor or
advantage. Base ball has been re-
deemed from the disfavor into which
1t had temporarily fallen by nothing
else than the, at least, partial restor-
alton of this fundamental rule. The
people have shown that they will 90
by thousands to witness what they
pelleve to be a fair and square con-
test OF the merits of two opposing
teams, While games that are sus-
pected of being arranged in advance
even though they may be full of fine
individual play, are exhibited before
empty boards.
We regret exceedingly that there
should be faint of professionalism
introduced now into what is. if not
the most popular, yet the most mag
n1f1cent event in the sporting world
The international yacht race for the
Americas cup is the occasion where
least Of all there Should he anv ela-
ment of jockeying. Although the
parties who can afford to build and
sail cup defenders are few. Their
conduct reflects upon the sportsmen
OF the entire nation. The serious
ana apparently final rupture he
tween the owners of yachts that de-
sire 70 defend the Americas cup is
OF consequence to every lover of
sport in the United States. The new
yacht Defender seems to be an ad-
vance upon all predecessors In the
trials made Defender has, except
IN cases of accident, beaten all COM
petitors. But the difference he
tween her sailing capacity and that
OF the old cup defender, Vigilant IS
small. The races between these
TWO splendid boats have been full of
spectacular interest because so close
~ contested. 1t has been a COM
plete and disturbing surprise to find
the reputation of the owners Of enc.
OF the other of them reflect
ed upon seriously by the with
draWal of Vigilant from the trial
contest. The owner claims that in
every race heretofore sailed Defend
er has taken an unfair ADVANTAGE
mas violated the rules of the Yacht
club, has compelled Vigilant to de-
f1ect from the course to which she
was entitled, under penalty of in
wiling collision and wreck. and has
consequently succeeded in winning
only by sharp practice and unfair
advantage. The owner of Defender
denies this, and his position is sus-
tanned by the regatta committee.
whoever has the right of this con-
tentIon, it's existence is most unfor-
tunate. If Defender outsailed Vigil
liant by the methods charged. then
her owner should be barred out of
gentlemen's sports. If the charge ;s
untrue and is advanced by the owner
OF V1g1lant only to cover and excuse
the Fair defeat of his boat. then his
ACTON is ungentlemanly, unsports-
manhke, and shameful In either
event, a shadow has been cast upon
the fair fame of American yacbtina
greater than that thrown by nos
siple victory by Valkyrie III. in the
coming races. 1t is the old trouble
The determination to win has either
persuaded the manager of one of
these yachts to do an unfair tbinp
OF II mas so convinced him of the
readiness of the other to succeed by
foul means that he is unwilling to
remain in competition. It is an nm
fortunate affair, and one that oupb+
not to be possible among gentlemen
away with the spirit of professional
ism in all sports. If we cannot have
lair play, let US have none at all
1t would be better to charter a
steamer to carry the Americas c,,n
back to Great Britain as a present 10
the Royal Yacht club, than to have
Its defense exhibit qualities a1monn1g
| American yachtsmen which are IN
worthy of a sportsman and a GEN
tleman.
A VICARIOUS PUNISHMENT. =
There was nothing Illogical in the
action of Miss Bradley cowhiding Mr.
Welsh because his wife had Sian
n Il L..