New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-26
COLLIDE RACES.

II &c natural that under the first strong I'm
nression of disgust at the mishaps which at
tended this wears University race on tho
Thames those who stayed 10 see II and those
,vho did not stay should alike exaggerate me
,niserv ,hey endured: or. II not the misery. the
f,uI,s or management which helped 10 produce
{, Rut those who having cooled Off honestly
persist in d~laring that New London has Lost
all claim N he the scene Of rowing contests
,oret no vounp or forgetful Doubtless the sud
dom storms which IN the early hours OF the
afternoon. and again toward evening made n
roco ,mnrocticehle last Wednesday were ok
ceedngly unfortunate for the spectators, and
caused great discomf vt. II Is melancholy
thing 10 he deceived in such n manner by the
elements and compelled either 10 depart WIN
nothing 10 show for ones toll. tribulation and
expenditure or 20 pass the night In Town
which has no suitable accommodations for an
UNEXPECTED throng Of dodgers. Doubtless also
tbere were many exasperating exhibitions Of a
quality politely called thrift, which more care'u'
attention 10 possibilities on the part Of those In
charge Of the local arrangements mlgh' hhN'
prevented and certainly the lesson ought not TO
be lost upon future regatta committees
But these Just complaints do not constitute
conclusive condemnation OF the Thames course
Now that wrath has subsidized and sunerngs
have been forgotten the fact looms mp again
that this Is the first time race nt New-Londoh
has been postponed over night There nave
been brief delays on several OCCASIONS, hut
every one OF the twenty races on the Thames
prior 10 this year was rowed on the appointed
day. and the whole series has been remarkably
free from accidents and serious annoynnces. TN
Wednesday last II the tide had served an hour
earlier than 230 o'clock In the afternoon, the
contest would have occurred under perfect con
d,tions and every one would have said that
there was no other course equal TO that Oft New
London. As It Is a good many persons with
short memories have probably forgotten mat III
the brief experience OF college oarsmen on the
Hudson two crews have been swamped, 10 say
nothing Of other distresses which were polg
nant while they lasted. The advantage OF con-
suting the records is further illustrated by the
comment of the manager of the Cornell Navy
who SAYS he believes that Saratoga Lake Is the
best place for rowing regatta. We sincerely
hope that this weeks occurrences on that pretty
sheet OF water may not convince him Of his
error but Il would not he strange II they should.
There are probably thousands Of persons still
living who have vivid recollection Of what
they suffered in attending the college race there
in July 1874 II was appointed for Thursday.
and vast multitude went out from Saratoga 10
see IT, Alas the state of the water made row
Ing impossible. and the race was postponed for
twenty four hours. The next afternoon the CON
ditons at the time fixed by the managers were
little better. and after an hour or two Of dismal
waiting the spectators drifted back to their
hotels where. II is needless 70 say. they were
warmly welcomed The next morning that Is
on the third day-the race was finally rowed
and Ia one way or another an impoverished
crowd. which had been living not wisely but too
well. succeeded in paying It's bills and dispers-
ing.
The truth Is that Craftsmanship is mn art which
requires for its satisfactory exposition a com
bination Of conditions which Is not everywhere
or always obtainable. That Is fact which