The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-11-03 00:00:00

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1888.

DEGRADING SPORTS.

An inquest has just terminated in London
which has brought out points of universal inte-
rest. It was held on the body of a young man
named Wilhuott, who was killed in a " glove.
fight," or boxing match, at a sporting public-
house at the West End of London. The inquest
has lasted a considerable time, being from time
to time adjourned, and on each occasion the in-
quest room was crowded, and no wonder, for
there were points involved which were of serious
consequences to what is called the sporting
fraternity, and which indeed seriously affect the
morality and well-being of the community gene.
rally.
The spectacle ont of which the inquest arose
is thus set forth, after the name and address :
MC., Jemmy Shaw himself, assisted by Little
Alec, and several other first-rate professors.
—On Tuesday next, Oct. 9, 1836, a trial of skill
in the manly art, between Young, of Blooms-
bury, and Ned Wiltuott, of Shoreditch, or a
handsome purse of sovereigns, presented by a
few gentlemen, patrons of the noble and manly
art of self-defence.—Admission by ticket, only
Is each ; reserved seats, 2s 6d.—To commence
at half-past eight o'clock."—We refrain from
reproducing the evidence relative to the features
of this disgrace:al feast of blood thus offered to
any who might choose to pay for it. Suffice it
to say that one of the combatants was killed,
and that one of the witnesses declared that the
fight was " perfeeetly fair, and much more so
than many others." Of more importance than
the incidents of this particular Mt& is the result
of the inquest. The jury has brought in a ver-
dict of manslaughter against six men, and the
coroner immediately issued his warrant for their
' committal to Newgate. Now here is a result
which the public generally may well rejoice at.
We trust that condign punishment may speedily
follow this verdict. But why, may we ask, are
we to wait till a man is killed before the law
steps in. These utterly disgraceful exhibitions
ought to be at once prohibited, and every exhi-
bition of a kindred character. Prize-fighting,
abether it is in some den of a house in Londeu
or Birmingham, or in the open air, is a disgrace
to our country. In theory it is illegal, but it is
virtually permitted, luta thus the law is brought
into contempt. We trust the fact of a man
Ising killed in a tight got up as an entertain-
' sent, at so much a head, will have the effect of
drawing the attention of our legislators to this
subject, and that the law may be made more
stringent. At this moment, we believe, are toge.
mexts are almost concluded for what is called a
tight for the ehatepionslilp, Aid, in the face of
m inquest, and a verdict of munslanghter against
mix men, it will probably be allowed to take
place. We are quarrelling and agitating atent
Reform, but here is a matter in which reform is
perhaps more sorely needed than in anything.
Such degrading exhibitious of brutality ought
to be made felony for all directly concerned in
them. Till something of this sort is done we
shall exhibit to the world the strange anomaly
•,f a country, which ranks highest in the seme
of civilisation, encouraging exhiLitiona whiel•
are more savage, more degrading :ind brntidis•
.ug than Rome exhibited at her lowest stage of
• lecad owe.

Why will not some of our Icgislaturs see to
this matter ? It is one on which mien of nil
shades of poiitics cannot but agree. It is in the
interest of the public generally, lint especially
in the interest f the lower class( s, that some
striet legishitien slionld he brought to bear on
this snhject. Ministers of religion, our lectnren4
end social reformers, and all who value the
atoratity of the COnntry at int6e, bliould at Once
,c 0 to it.