The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-12


| one Heenan from California. Both men are
said TO be under training for the fight. 1t has
| further been ascertained, we learn from the
same authority, that the rivals differ in opinion
| on the Kansas question, one Of them being
staunch Supporter of the Presidents policy,
while the other will not hear of Lecompton at
any price. Hence the ggeston-which seems
to find favor in sporting circles-that purse
Of twenty thousand dollars should be made up
by the politicians on both Sides and adjudged
| to the winner. so that at one and the same time
the championship of the United States and the
Kansas dispute lat least 30 far az the sporting
world il concerned) may be definitely settled.
1t is hardly necessary to add that this idea is
calculated qJueet with very general approval.
The thought that ones opponent at prize fight
is likewise political antagonist must natural
| ly give zest to the conflict; each man will
strike the harder when he thinks of Kansas.
| The battle cry Of the bottle holders will proba-
| bly, be "Lecompton" and Topeka" Alto
| gether the fight will be historical.
! One consideration only seems to have been
! overlooked The fight cannot take place here,
! and in view of the probable publicity of the
affair, ii is not likely that safe place
can he found in the vicinity. No spot can be
suggested in the neighborhood of New York,
where the men are not likely to be disturbed by
an oflicious police. Under the circumstances,
in the interest of the operators, and of the
speedy settlement of the Kansas question, we
feel that we are anticipating the public wish
when we suggest to Morrissey and Keenan, a
spot which will suit them admirably and be liza
| BILE to none of the Inconvenience of the well
known sites; spot where the fight can not only
be fought out comfortably, and in business
like way, but where the 'toolng" can be wit
messed by several thousand apprecative spec
tators: spot alike classic, historical, retired,
and cosey. Need we add that we refer to the
semicrcular space fronting the Speakers chair
in the House Of Representatives at Washington.
1t cannot be doubted but, after the recent
ARRAY, the members would only be too glad to
profit by the lessons of the most experienced
bruisers in the country, If one thing in the
late fight was more shocking than another, it
was the want of science skill, and pugilistic ETH
quette displayed by the combatants The sim
plest facts seem confused. 1t is not even posi-
bic to discover how Kett got down on the
floor. That he did get there, and lay
sprawling his full length for some moments
at least, seems undoubted: but the most
lamentable mystery overhangs the mode
of his getting there. Whether he "stubbed
his toe" or was pushed down by Mr.. Davis, in
the interest of peace, or fell in consequence Of
| undue pressure from Mr.. Grows fist upon and
around bic ear cannot, and probably never
will be thoroughly cleared 10. Just think how
bsrbsrcus and brslal Abe fight must have been
when The pripci pal incident is 20 uncertain and
cloudy Think too Of the subsequent scene Of
half dozen old gentlemen pummelling each
other like waskerwomen tearing of each
others wigs; scratching each others faces !;
hammerins away at friend and foe alike in such
demoniac disorder that no one knew whom
he struck or who struck him.
Any person with the least discernment will
perceive the huge benefit which these members
woud derive from scientific exhibition for the
championship by Morrissey and Heenan before
their eyes, As an example for the future the
spectacle would be invaluable. We may be
permitted to presume therefore that no time
will be lost on the one side in applying for the
use Of the Hall, or on the other in granting it
free of charge to the pugiists and their friends.
THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA.-H is to be re-
GREETED that any opposition should be made TO
Mr.. Smiths bill, now before Congress for
obliging sea-going steamers TO carry life boats
enough to carry off all their passengers in case
Of accident There can be no reason but very
selfish one for wishing that such vessels should
not carry boats enough there Ia every reason
for wishing that they did. Commodore Van
derbit's son-in-law has done his father-in-law
no good by stepping out OF his way to oppose
so utterly unassailable bill as this. Nobody
expects that shipowners will DO pleased at
being forced to buy more life boats but people
do expect that they will have the decency to
hold their tongues, and not cry aloud that they
prefer sacrificing lives to spending money.
There is but one objection that can be made
to this bill, and that is that, however excellent
its provisions may be, there is no reasonable
probability Of their being carried out. We
have an abundance Of laws under which some
one might have been and ought TO have been
held responsible, corporeally and pccuniarily,
for the Central America disaster which cost
so many lives and we have, generally speak
ing laws under which almost all the crimes
now freely committed on the high seas might
and ought to be punished. But for all the good
they do us, they might g, well have been laws
Of some Sc,th Sea island instead Of the United
States. Whose business is IL to execute them,
and on whose shoulders ought the blame of
their present neglect to fall
We suggest to Mr.. Smith and his coadjutor
Mr.. washburne tina, they had better state dis
tinctly In the bill who is the party on whom
the duty of executing it will devolve. The pub