The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-22

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
In the frenzy of the crusade for athletic
purity in schools and colleges, enthusiastic
and rnyopic purists. who think only Of the
athletic side of the discussion. are prone TO
overlook one very important point: The
right OF the American youth to gain an edu-
cation by all and any legitimate means IN
lis power.
1t z agains; the spirit and letter of the
various athletic agreements between great
colleges that any college shall cffer an ath-
iete Of exceptional ability free board and tut
tion or airy amelioration of the regulations
on this subject. As a matter of fact, col
leges. in consideration of the beneficent ad-
vertising they acquire through the perform
ances OF their successful athletes. frequent
ly- do offer athletes OF exceptiona. ability
various Inducements to enter their portals.
This they arc forbidden to do by the usual
athletic agreements.
This may all b. very well from the stand
p6int of absolutely pure athletics. 1t may
tend 10 prevent any enc college from
achieving great athletic superiority. and
hence much beneficient advertising, at the
expense Of other less active or afiuent coll
leses; and. going further on. does a great
deal to stop the evil of professionalism
which might follow IL colleges were allowed
10 hire men 10 represent them in athletic
competition.
Butt is it quito fair to the Young man
who cannot acquire a college education in
any ether way? Does not the right of the
-SMeJican youth TO SEEK his education in
any legitimate and proper way take prece-
d'snce of mere athletic therapeutics?
Attending college in st. Louis is young
Innn who fills the old regulation description
poor. but honest. He is quite an athlete.
Tie college gives him free board and tuition
becatise his athletic ability rebounds to its
creGit AT athletic meets. The boy, during
Vacation time. found it advisable to play
baseball with a team whose members re-
c~ved money for playing. 1t is not known
mat the hoy received any money. Prob
aelys he did. Well. the constituted athletic
authorities bar him in meetings where 9TH
q. colleges and other athletes compete. The
college which gives him free board and
teition cannot use him. He becomes of no
value TO it. He cannot use his athletic
Ibilay to acouir1' an education. Is this
iieht? Do athletics take precedence OF edu-
erticn in American colleges?
The famous Irishman who was "asin' the
government no matter what it might be-"
seems 10 have pretty well stamped his
pfftudces against constituted authorities
ilpon American sports and pastimes. Even
lspEllsnen. who never KICK at decisions in
l:Fsfand, become fierce protestants in
America.
Doctor Murray. the crack crickcter Of the
St. Louis Cricket Club. was telling an a.
most incredible story the other day. 1t was
sf'ont a decision given in a game between
the Chicago and st. Louis Cricket clubs 1t
was on a catch at the wickets-a foul tip
in. baseball. Tho umpire declared the bat
ter ont. To this. the captain of the Chi
Gags team Alex. Henderson, a Briton. took
exception. and said that he would take his
men of the field anicss the decision was de-
clared null and void.
Through the intervention of the St. Louis