Year: 1878




Your editorial entitled "Let Courtney Challenge Han
Ian at Once has created considerable stir in aquatic
circles here and is hailed with satisfaction betoken
ing a return Of confidence in Courtney, whom
Canadians consider man who has suffered much and
unustly though cannot deny that the exceedingly
unsportsmanlike manner in which his race was con-
ceved and brought forth afforded sufficient ground for
doubling the genuineness of the contest. In con-
versation recently with Mr. David Ward, Chairman
of the Executive Committee of the Hanlan Club, he
informed your correspondent that in the event OF
another race between the men coming on the topis
everything would have to be done formally and
through the columns Of the press. II Courtney
wishes to Hanlan he must send his written
challenge. accompanied by forfeit, to the press.
Hanlan's friends will then cover the amount. Mr..
Ward expressed the willingness OF his friends to
back the champion for any sum mp to $200o0 and
though this may SAVIOR of spread -eagleism Court
ney's hackers need have fear of all they are
willing to support their man for being promptly
covered. But one thing Courtneys hackers must not
forget, and that is Hanlan will not any pretence
whatever for the championship any other
course than that of Toronto Bay. This is not only
Hanan's feeling, but the feeling of every nom
Der of the club. The difficulties in Courtney's way
Toronto Bay would not be tithc Of those which
Hanlan met and overcome the Hutton





would they be anything like those of the Lachine
course. When Courtney over measuring Hanlan
at the Paisted on the bay he told your
spondent that the course all that could be de-
sired. and that his only objection to it the pres
ence Of sidewhee steamers. This difficulty can be
overcome where the steamboat commissions are no
object and what connection they have with legiti-
mate sporting event 1t is difficult to see, though any
will admit that they the most essential part
of a successful hippodrome. II Courtney wants the
championship he will have to come to Toronto, and
he will not have the slightest reason to complain
of his treatment. No one has had in the past


But your invitation to Courtney appears to us in
different light when we consider what would nevi-
tably follow either his defeat Of by Hanlan. AS
far in either the old cry of fraud
would be raised. OF course cannot entertain the
possibility of, both fit and WELL Courtneys turning
the tables on Hanlan. We knew all about Courtney's
private trials and what it claimed that he had
done we knew what his mile, three mile
and five mile times though did not parade our
knowledge. In face of that knowledge Hanlan
backed as he was; this confidence still continues and
from what is known OF Hanan by his friends they
cannot recognize the possibility of his being de-
feated. Therefore, such OF the champions friends
as have spoken upon the proposal have been almost
unanimous in the expression OF opinions which
briefly to the effect that Courtney had better
make another record of his status sculler before
trying conclusions again with Hanlan. There at
least two good scullers who Will accommodate him
Ross and Morris. We know that Hanlan beat these
two easily let Courtney show his friends that he
beat these men easily. Hanlan told your correspond
ent, who believes him. that it cost him only q little
more trouble to dispose of Courtney than either of
these two men, and also that the with Ross on
the Kennebecasis was the fastest he ever rowed.
Members of the Hanlan executive have made no
secret that the Lachne was when
mile and half had been traversed, and this
Hanlan long ago told your correspondent So.
remembering that these things were divulged when
apparently there longer any object in conceal
ment and little in letting the truth be known, the
suggestion that Courtney lost his mettle, some
other first class scullers, is neither humlating to
him nor other than what the circumstances warrant.
England and accept issue with Robert Watson Boyd.
II he wants to know Hanlans capacities he had
better follow in the champions wake in England. If
Hawdon be defeated he will oblige Courtney. for
Percy is man who does not stop when he takes a
sculler in hand. Hanlan will meet Boyd after
Hawdon is disposed OF that is il he is dis
posed of). Supposng Courtney beats Boyd, he
will spoil Hanlan's and not be himself one whit
the wiser. BY following Hanlan he need not inter
fere with his own prospects, for, though Boyd be
beaten, Barrass will furnish money against man
who has been beaten by Hanlan. From Hanlan's
performance with the English scullers, and compar
ing his own with Hanan's. Courtney will be able to
figure out his chances in second race for the cham
pionship. By adopting this plan he will also be able
to put some money in his own pockets without I'M
dergoing more than moderate amount of risk.


Hanlan does not leave for England until early in
February, as lie has no desire to be there sooner
than will enable him to look around him bit and be
in time to see Elliott and Higgins try conclusions.
There seems to be doubt about the genuinencss
of the match between Hawdon and Han
Ian. You may rest assured that it is gen.
from Colonel A. u. Shaw your Consul at Manchester
who is still president of the Hanlan Club all reports
to the contrary Notwithstanding. When the Colonel
went to England 1t was a tact understanding between
him and the club that he should keep his eyes open
and arrange the most favorable match that offered
for the champion. This he has done. and the club
will not likely 30 back on the arrangement If they
do there are hundreds who would jump at the chance
of controlling the American champion.


Considerable surprise manifested here at the
article which appeared in one OF the New York sport
ing weeklies anent the Hanlan Club the article in
question being inspired by other articles that have
appeared in the only Canadian sporting paper, which
however; did not go far as the New York That
there has been trouble brewing for time back has
been well known, and his Lachne race is the of
it, Out OF that the members OF the club did not
receive one cent but had they received anything like
a reasonable amount for their investment out of the
other 1t is not likely that there would have
been any dissatisfaction. In forming the club there
was much difficulty in getting twenty members to
put in a comparatively small sum. The risk that
they apparently ran was great. and all the return
which they have got for their investment is sum
equal to that originally contributed. This, ITSELF
was enough to arouse dissatisfaction, and 1T did,
but the dissatisfaction came from the club
itself and not from outsiders. The executive
of the club kept its members in the dark as to its
financial arrangements and several members thought
that certain portion of the Lachnc purse had been
given to Courtney. To prove this matter was the
object of the press articles rejecting the club
which felt the probing keenly-so keenly. indeed
that fow days ago it transpred that the club would
publish defence. The defence appeared this morn
ing and is in the form OF broad denial. which is
devoid of local color while one looks in vain |
for any statement repellDg those of the press. SO
far the clubs statement cooked by the local press
is concerned not ray of light is thrown |
upon the financial inwardness OF the Lachine
race. This appears bad the face of it, |
but your correspondent answer for the
truth of the statement that Mr.. Ward, the |
chairman of the Executive Committee, asserted pos
itivcly last night that he himself paid over the $4,000
purse to Hanlan. Had the club shown this to the /
public, the regarding Courtney's share in the
purse would have received its q,iictus. Until the
club authorizes this statement the public will believe



the less inclined to do when they remember
that the first statement made to the public regarding
the finances of the club to the effect that the only
return upon their Investment had been glory
That Hanlan is not personally dissatisfied with the
club has been known to your correspondent for
weeks past but the champion did not wish to in
terfere in the dispute his views not given. He
has addressed the following letter to the press
generally.
SR-f think II only my duty to draw attention to
absurd article which appeared IN paper copied from
Wiihrs Spirit ~ The Times.
The nnlnn Cluh Is composcd of gentlemen In this