In crder to make this rule, more explicit, and that the wish of the association should be understood, four clauses were added, explaining how an amateur swimmer forfeited his right to that title. It was decided that anyone did so : (a) Who should take part in any race for a prize with anyone who was not an amateur, without the express sanction of the association.
(c) Who should compete in races described as All England Handicaps,' Open to All Comers,' &c. (as such are professional races, no matter what the prizes are), or in any competition not strictly confined to amateurs (under the association definition) except under clause (a).
(d) Who should compete for a declared wager or staked bet.
Under the old rule an amateur could take part with a professional for a prize, but this permission had been so much abused as to lead to almost open evasion of the law. The races were usually advertised as open to All England and All corners, and the prizes valued at about five pounds. The winner had to declare whether he was an amateur or a professional. If an avowed professional, be would take the money publicly ; but if an amateur won, the procedure was to explain the rule to him, and ask if he chose to remain an amateur. In the event of his doing so he was then informed that a prize must be purchased, and asked to nominate some other person to receive the money and purchase the prize. There was no check as to whether a prize: was ever purchased or not, and, needless to say, a very strong feeling was expressed against the new conditions. The whole work of organisation had to be re started, but gradually the reform party gained ground and were instrumental in gaining leave from the association to call another open meeting of swimmers for April 25, 188z. The resolutions which were then placed before the meeting were regarded as so impOrtant that the discussion was adjourned until May 23, in order to give the provincial clubs an opportunity of con sidering the proposed new definition. A preliminary vote of those assembled was taken on the all-important question as to whether amateurs should be allowed to swim against pro fessionals, and the decision was in the negative. At the
adjourned meeting over one hundred swimmers were present, the most prominent among them being Mr. H. W. Fisk, of the Portsmouth Club, who addressed the gathering at some length, contending that the original amateur definition, preventing amateurs from competing against professionals under any circumstances, was the best. His powerful advocacy resulted in the meeting defeating an amendment to return to the rules in force ten months previously by sixty-two votes to forty, and it was agreed to eliminate from clause (a) of the then existing rule the words, ' without the express sanction of the association.' thereby prohibiting mixed races altogether.
The professionals at once determined to form an association of their own, and for a time their efforts seemed likely to be successful ; but although it held a few promising meetings when Mr. Tom Easton was secretary, it collapsed in a few years. It is to be regretted that the honest attempt which was made by the promoters to raise the status of professional instructors of the art has resulted in failure.
But the amateur association soon realised the value of the sensible change which had been made in their laws. In the report for the year i 88o the officers said : The year did not open favourably for the association, so little interest being taken in its proceedings that a quorum was not obtainable. The association had incurred liabilities which it was unable to meet, and though subscriptions, &c., were due, there seemed little prospect of the clubs paying, nor have they done so. Several clubs which had hitherto supported the association had seceded, and it appeared probable that the association would be an institu tion of the past.
Now compare this with the report of 1881 : The committee have great pleasure in submitting their annual report, and consider that the success which has attended the efforts of the association for the welfare of swimming during the past season, and the continued and steadily increasing support which the associa tion now enjoys, from provincial as well as metropolitan clubs, is a matter for general congratulation and satisfaction.