On January 19, 1874, it was almost unanimously decided to allow an amateur to race against a professional for a prize or honour only. Then began a series of bitter struggles, lasting over some years, which alienated the sympathies of many of the best supporters of the association. At first the mixed races were received with approval, but they soon involved the govern ing body in all kinds of difficulties. The average amateur of that day had just as much desire for gain as the professional, and it was no uncommon practice to arrange a match for a small prize, with a large side bet as the principal consideration.
Early in February 1874 the title of the association was again changed. The first general meeting of the new body, known as the Swimming Association of Great Britain, was held on March 9 of that year, and it was then decided to extend its ranks so as to include all the clubs in the country. Its influence for good was, however, small, the laxity of the amateur definition gave rise to much bickering and discontent, and the discordant elements were not removed till after years of patient and energetic work. The position of the association became so bad that on January 10, 1876, it was deemed best to call a special meeting of all swimmers to discuss the operation of the laws relating to amateur swimming, but nothing resulted there from. Resolution after resolution was passed by the seven or eight persons who attended the meetings at this period, but none of them was put into operation, the greater part of them being repudiated when found gradually the association sank into a state of collapse and bankruptcy. The mile championship was fortunately regularly organised, but when, on September 9, 1876, Horace Davenport, of the Ilex Club, won the race for the third time in succession, the championship cup was not forthcoming. The winner gene rously offered to assist the association financially, but his offer was declined, until the delegates, absolutely at their wits' end, had themselves to approach him, and Mr. Davenport there upon practically paid half the purchase money of the cup which he had so handsomely won. From this date there was a notice able improvement in the attendances at the meetings. The clubs began to take more interest in the work. The balance sheet for 1877, which showed an income of 841. I 2S. 4d., must have been infinitely more satisfactory than that of 1876, when it had to be admitted that the total receipts for the year con sisted of the miserable sum of 4/. 2s. 6d. The great improve
ment in the financial position of the association was most creditable to the clubs composing it. They were then only ten in number. Two of these were provincial clubs, Brighton and Portsmouth; the Albert, Camden, Alliance, Dreadnought, North London, Regent, South-East London, and West London were all London organisations. This improvement was, however, not lasting, for another struggle over the amateur question soon began. The recurrence of these wordy warfares was in evitable while the rules then in force existed. Almost every year attempts had been made to separate amateurs from pro fessionals in all contests, but without avail ; and the better-class clubs held aloof from the association. Their policy was a mistaken one, as they would have been far better able to leaven the ranks of the association when once inside than when regarding it with cynical indifference. The officers of the association were finally compelled to summon an open meeting of all persons interested in the art, because in the year 188o the work of the association had come to a standstill. The usual monthly meetings in February, March, and April of that year were made void through the non-attendance of delegates. At the open meeting, which was held on June 28 of that year, a couple of months after the inaugural meeting of the Amateur Athletic Association, the amateur question was the chief topic of discussion. Dr. Hunter Barron (of the Otter Club), Horace Davenport (Ilex), H. Benjamin (Cygnus), H. H. Griffin (London Athletic Club), and a number of other well-known supporters of the definition of an amateur as adopted by the A.A.A. attended the gathering. The definition then in force read as follows : I. Persons who have competed for money prizes, for wagers, for public or admission money, or who have otherwise made the art of swimming a means of pecuniary profit, shall not be allowed to compete as amateurs.
So lengthy was the discussion on the proposed alteration that no fewer than five adjournments were necessary. Ulti mately the definition was revised and was brought into force, as from August r, 1880. It then read as follows : An amateur is one who has never taught, pursued, or assisted in the practice of swimming or any other athletic exercise as a means of pecuniary gain, and who has never competed for a money prize or with a professional or professionals, save under association rules.