New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-22

II has not been thus far an altogether pleasant
year IN the world Of sports. There have been
too many urarcls, charges Of bad faith. com.
plants Of unsportsmanlikc conduct. and even
suspicious Of crooked work. The wranglc be-
tween Yale and Harvard was n the outset petty.
and In It's result dcploruble. The great trIple
bOairace on the Hudson proved worse than a
iiasco. causing as 1t did, much bad blood and
the uttrrance Of words which every true sports
man and gentleman must regret. The expert
cncc Of Cornell at Henley was in all respects I'M
Fortunate and while the comments OF some Eng
fish papers Of the baser sort were scandalously
unfair the average American probably wishes
the crew had never gone over there. The ncgo-
tiatons for Il contest between the NewYork and
London Athletic clubs have been marked with
almost intcrmnablc haggling over the qlialiiica-
tons Of the men chosen rs competitors. and it
is not yet certain whether satisfactory teams can
be- got together. or the achievements OF Ameri
can racchorsc owners and jockeys in England
this year little need be said at this time. since
they belong TO the distinctly professional class
rather than to the class Of gentlemen amateurs.
The financial results Of their venture have prob
ably been disappointing. They have accused
English iurfmcn OF unfarncss. and the latter
have replied in kind. with probably some justice
and some injustice on both sides
In yachting. which at present is more in mind
than any other sport, there have likewise been
untoward incidents. The contests between the
Vigilant and the Defender were productive Of
much irritation. which finally led to the with
drawal Of the old champion from further matches
with the new sloop until the trial races of this
week and next The merits OF that ease
have already been discussed. and a reopcnng Of
II is not now called for. 1t Is 10 be observed.
however that ground has apparently been given
10 some unfricndly critics abroad TO question the
honor and even the honesty Of American yachts
men. few irresponsible and rabdly anti
American journals. such as Mr.. Labouchcres
Truth" have gone far as To say that the
cup races will not he honestly conducted, and
that Nalkyrc III. even though she prove her
self the better boat will not be- allowed 10 win
The coveted trophy. Such scurrilous yaporlngs
might bc permitted 10 pass unnotccd were 1t
not that they are taken seriously by many limo
cent but in iudicous minds. Such persons may
properly be- reminded that hitherto all cup races
have been above suspicion Of anything like in
territorial unfairncss. The single complaint made
has been of excursion steamers crowdng the
Yachts but the British yachts have suffered from
this cause no more than the American. and none
Of them enough TO affect the result of any race
There Is no good reason to consider American
yachismcn. or American sporismcn I'm general
one whit less honest or honorable or punctil
Gus in every point Of etiquette than their Brit
ish rivals.
II we cared io use rcaatory arguments we
might recall charges Of jockcying made by
British yachismcn against Valkyrc H. the
wranglcs. am JlniIng 10 almost scandals. over
the selection Of members Of the London Ath.
lctic clubs team. and the numerous actual and
Migrant scandals OF recent years on the British
turf That. however. II moi necessary. Indeed.
al such things had better be- forgotten ~ speed
lly ~ possible. What now Is 10 be- done N 10
make sure that 10 though lcssncss. nor Inndycr.
icncc. nor undue oagcrncss for advantage, lc
allowed o arouse even the faIntrsi s,Bplclon Of
irckcry In The International contests. The trial
races between the NigIlant and the Defender
must be- completed, ~ they have been begun.
with the utmost possible fairness Then the
winner ~ them must be- sailed against Vat
kyrlc III with equal fairness and generosity.
giving " the visitor the benefit VI tue doubt. II