The association was still almost entirely confined to London, but as its influence became greater the subjects which demanded legislation increased to such an extent that its organisation was utterly insufficient to cope with the work. A meeting was held every month, and as the same delegates did not attend each time, the resolutions and orders became so entangled and con flicting as to bring the government of amateur swimming again into a state of chaos. A man declared a profes sional at one meeting would be declared an amateur at the next, and had not a decided step been taken by what are termed the exclusive clubs—that is, those who give invitation instead of open events at their annual galas—the S.A.G.B. would have drifted into oblivion.
On April 7, 1884, the Otter Club resigned its membership of the association, in consequence of a dispute on the vexed question of amateurism and professionalism, the details of which need not be revived. The action of the Otter im mediately caused some eight or nine other clubs to secede, and to form a new body termed the Amateur Swimming Union. The president of the S.A.G.B., Mr. Horace Davenport, also resigned, and Dr. Hunter Barron was elected in his stead. Dr. Barron had the love of swimming at heart, and his early death a few years back was regretted by all those with whom he had come into contact. He worked hard and well for the S.A.G.B., and nothing gave him greater pleasure than to hear of its success.
But all progress was stopped by the feud existing between the S.A.G.B. and the A.S.U. For two years a desperate struggle for supremacy went on. Neither side would give way, and some ridiculous suspensions were decreed. An amateur, more particularly in London, often found himself in a fix. If he swam with one section of his club he would be suspended by the S.A.G.B., if he swam with the other the A.S.U. would promptly warn him. Mr. S. D. Muttlebury, the famous Cam bridge oarsman, had the curious fortune to be suspended by both. Finally the condition of affairs became so intolerable that Mr. H. Benjamin, of the Cygnus Club, by the exercise of considerable tact, managed to get the leaders on both sides to meet and discuss the points at issue. The result was that the two bodies agreed to co-operate in forming a new association with a distinct title, and the decision arrived at by this informal meeting was hailed with much satisfaction.
A meeting of the representatives of the two bodies was held on March 3, i886, at which, after a long meeting, the follow ing agreement was made : 1. That the S.A.G.B. and A.S.U. be dissolved, and a new
association formed.
2. That the constitution of the new association be drawn up by a committee composed of delegates from both bodies, and be submitted to the clubs affiliated for their approval.
3. That the new association shall be styled the ' Amateur Swimming Association,' and the constitution and laws be based upon those of the A.A.A., N.C.U., S.A.G.B., and A.S.U.
4. That clubs shall have proportional representation and pay subscription according to the number of their active members ; but no club shall have more than three delegates.
5. That the management of the association be vested in an executive, who shall meet as required, and a council, or general body, to meet at intervals of not less than three months.
6. That all amateur championships shall be under the direct control and the sole charge of the association.
7. That all amateur competitions shall be held under the laws of the association.
8. That all suspensions arising out of the late dispute between the S.A.G.B. and the A.S.U. be rescinded.
This report was submitted to the delegates of the S.A.G.B., by whom it was unanimously adopted, and the representatives were instructed to prepare rules for the new body, the Amateut Swimming Association.
The representatives appointed by the Association and Union completed their work in about a month, and the new code for the future government of swimming was brought before the delegates of the clubs at a meeting held on April 12, 1886. It contained no fewer than 135 rules, divided into six parts : (r) constitution ; (2) management ; (3) appeals against suspensions ; (4) conduct of council meetings ; (5) con duct of race meetings ; and (6) management of championships.
Five of the principal resolutions were passed at the first meeting, but at the next the management of the association by an executive was practically vetoed, and Dr. Hunter Barron thereupon resigned the presidency of the association. Shortly after the Union clubs joined in force and the A.S.A. was then formed. The primary rules of the A.S.A., as formed in i886, were : That the association be called ' The Amateur Swimming Asso ciation,' and consist of amateur swimming clubs ; and the swimming members joining as a body—of rowing, athletic, or kindred clubs.