The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-28
CAPT. LEDYARD'S CRITICISM
THE ALLEGED BRITISH SPORTSMAN
HANDLED WITHOUT GLOVES.
Decision OF the Club Greeted with
Wells Of Delight That Could BE
Heard Blocks Away.

that the Dunraven-Defender case should be
settled once and for all. Up 10 the time of
meeting, at $50 o'clock this evening. no direct
apology, or notification of intended resigna-
ton had been received by the club officers
from Lord Dunraven. Ii was rumored that a
letter embodying resignation was on its
way from the doubly-defeated owner Of VAL
kyrie, but it was not in evidence when the
meeting was called 10 order by Commodore
Brown.
AS soon as the meeting was called 10 order
by Commodore E. NJ. Brown. Captain Lewis
Cass Ledyard requested that his motion, call
ing for the resignation of Lord Dunraven
from the New York Yacht Club. which he
proposed two weeks ago, should be With
drawn. The request was granted unanimous
fy Captain Ledyard then claimed that. un-
der Chapter y Of the bylaws OF the club,
which reads as follows: in case of an oc-
currence injurious TO the welfare of the club,
the name or names of any members impli-
Gated therein may be removed from the list
of members by vote of the majority of the
yachts represented. at any general or spe-
cial meeting Lord Dunravens action should
be summarily dealt with. Captain Ledyard
then offered the following preamble and reso-
luton:
The Earl Of Dunraven, an honorary men,
Der Of this club. has publicly charged foul
play on the part of the Defender, in the re-
cent races for the Americas cup, of such a
nature as necessarily duplicates the manag-
ing owners of the vessel. The charge has
been investigated by a commission of the
highest character. which has proceeded judi
cially, and before which Lord Dunraven has
appeared and given his own and other testi-
mony, and has been heard in person and by
counsel. The commission has unanimously
decided that the charge was false: that it
was not merely improved, but was affirm
atively disproved by competent and uncon-
Trajectory evidence, leaving no possibility of
doubt. The commission has also found that
the facts on which Lord Dunraven acted, ac-
cording TO his own statement, furnished no
justification for making such a charge.
NOT A GENTLEMAN.
I'VE deem it among the unquestioned
rules which regulate the course of gentle
men that when one finds that he has been
led by mistake to cast unjust imputations
on the character of another. he should
promptly make such reparation as remains
in his power by acknowledging his error
withdrawing the imputations and express
ing his regret. Such reparation to Mr.
Iselin and his associates the Earl of Dun
raven. after a full opportunity. has failed
to make. 1t further appears from the evil
dence, including Lord Dunraven's own ad-
missions, that at the time of the cup races
he Intentionally refrained from making the
charge formally, or making any protest, as
required by the rules, because 1t was i'm
possible for him to verify the charge, and
he was unwilling to take the responsibility
OF entertaining 1t. 1t Is not open to discus
sion that when gentlemen are engaged in
any sport and one suspects another OF foul
play. ne is bound to make the charge then,
and in such form and manner as to assume
full responsibility therefor, or thereafter to
remain silent.
'It further appears that in print and in
public speech Lord Dunraven has sought to
justify the making of the charge by num-
erous Misrepresentation of fact. He has
been forced himself to admit the untruth of
most of these, yet ne stubbornly refuses to
retract the injurious differences drawn from
them. The representatives CT this club en-
gagged in the international yacht races with
Lord Dunraven, as the representative of
English yachtsmen, upon the footing OF mu-
tual confidence and honor. He has requited
their courtesy and confidence by distrust.
suspicion, unfounded imputations of fraud
and refusal of reparation. Lord Dun
esteem which led to his election as an hon
orary member of this club. Therefore,
Resolved. That the privileges of honor
airy membership heretofore extended to the
and that his name be removed from the list
of honorary members of the club"
MR.. LEDYARD'S REASONS.
In introducing the above resolution, Rear
Commodore Ledyard said: AT the last meet
ing of the club / introduced a resolution
which called upon the Earl of Dunraven to
resign his honorary membership. / thought
at that time. and I think a great many
members Of the club thought. that that
method of dealing with the situation-asking
him to resign. instead of taking more sum-
mary action against him--was more in &C.
cordance with the way in which we had
been dealing with this matter up TO that
time. 1t seemed then more consistent with
the courtesies and dignified and careful way
in which all this subject had been treated
by the New York Yacht Club. / do not
think that there has ever been in the mind
of any member of this club. sir, an idea
that We should accept any resignation by
Lord Dunraven-unless ii was accompanied
by full, ample and complete apology and
a retraction of his charges. / have seen in
the press tonight statement that he has
resigned. / suppose. sir. from the circum-
stance that the secretary has made no men,
ton of any such communication that none
has been received by the club. When l sug-
gested, by the Introduction of my resolution
mat LOTQ DunTdNel > TtSlSfidtlOH de
requested, had in mind resignation TO be
given by him in answer to a demand by the
club, not a resignation such as any mem
Der in good standing could tender and ex-
pect to have accepted.
II think that the communications which
we have received since the last meeting show
that Lord Dunraven has not accepted the re.
suit of this inquiry. He is still carping still
hedging, still evading and still insisting thai
he saw with his eyes what we know he never
did see, as has been conclusvely proved
rrf hat
was due 10 the dignity and self-respect ol
this club that action should be taken which
will leave no room for doubt as to the atti
tude of the club. And with that view / ash
the unanimous consent of the members OF
the club TO withdraw the resolution which
/ offered at the last meeting for the purpose
OF submitting in its place another and dif-
ferent one"
When Mr.. Ledyard had done speaking hi
Bravo, bravo" AS soon as quiet was re-
stored. Commodore Brown put the resolution
to the forty yacht owners present all oi
whom, but one. answering in the affirmative
The only dissenting vote was cast by Chester
L. Monroe. owner of the sloop yacht Oriva.
When the result was announced the yells
Of the club members could be heard block.
away. and when IL was understood that Dun
ravens name was no longer on the roll OF
exception. expressed himself being per
fectly satisfied that the rule of the ma jority
was in every way right and deserved. Ths
vote was 80 TO ! in favor of Captain Led.
yards resolution dropping Dunraven frors
The roll The remarks OF every one inter.
ested were in accord with the views ex.
pressed terseiy by ex-Commcdore James u
-.st.