CORNELL THE VICTOR

Cornell crew on Hudson River 1897.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, July3, 1897.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Cornell the Victor.

   Cornell clinched its supremacy in rowing over all other American colleges yesterday, by easily winning the triangular race with Columbia university and the university of Pennsylvania. Although the conditions were not the most favorable for fast time, the four miles were covered in 20:47 4-5. This time was beaten by the Harvard university crew in 1878 with 20:44 3/4, by Harvard in 1882 with 20:47, by Yale in 1884 with 20:31, by Yale in 1886 with 20:411/4 and by Yale in 1888 with 20:10. Last year Cornell's time at Poughkeepsie was 19:29.

   Although it would doubtless have made no difference in the result had the

Pennsylvania crew rowed to the finish, the swamping of its boat to a certain extent spoiled the race. Cornell very generously offered to row over again to-day, but the Pennsylvanians declined, deeming the distance too long to cover again so soon.

   Yesterday's victory must be especially gratifying to certain members of the Cornell crew, a s it is the third triumph for them, they having participated in the race won against the Annapolis academy crew, and the two university contests at Poughkeepsie.

   Having beaten Yale, Harvard, Columbia and Pennsylvania, Cornell has won the proud distinction of champion in university aquatics. None of its defeated rivals can deprive it of that distinction by refusing to row with it. The Ithaca crew has made a great fight for recognition, and has by its display of superior oarsmanship, won the right to meet all of this summer’s rivals again. Should Yale and Harvard decide to return to their old exclusiveness, they will hardly be sustained by public opinion. Fair play and the general advancement of the science of rowing alike demand a full representation in future regattas.

   ◘ Harvard gives the coach of its crew the degree of master of arts. Courtney isn't a college graduate, nor has he an honorary degree. But he is an M. A.—master of aquatics.—Utica Herald.

AFTER THE RACES.

Referee Reynold's Statement—Crews Leave Poughkeepsie.

   POUGHKEEPSIE, July 3.—The great college rowing regatta of 1897 has passed into history and this morning the town began to settle down to its normal state, citizens and college men alike regretting that the last race in the series resulted so unsatisfactorily. Much indignation was expressed by the local committee to-day because of the harsh criticisms that were published this morning of the manner in which the race was conducted. Harris S. Reynolds, the referee, who started the race at 7:19 P. M., after several postponements, has been widely criticized because he did not wait longer. This morning Mr. Reynolds made the following statement to the Associated Press:

   "At 6:30 the three judges signified that they were satisfied with the alignment of their boats, but came to the conclusion that it was too rough to start them. Soon afterward Columbia's representative demanded that the race be started immediately. The Cornell men said nothing, but Pennsylvania's representative, Mr. Bond, protested. Fifteen minutes later, he agreed to a start and when I finally got the boats off it was with the full consent o f all judges. After the race they exonerated me completely and said that I was no more to blame for starting the boats than they were for giving me the word."

   Many expert oarsmen who witnessed the race agree that the swamping of the Pennsylvania shell was due to their own poor oarsmanship rather than to rough water. The exodus of the crews began at 6:40 this morning when the victorious Cornell contingent left in a private car on a regular New York Central train, taking their boats and paraphernalia in a baggage car on the same train.