The New York herald., 1879-09-05
THE ASHLEY BELT.
Gan Mr.. Vanderbilt Prevent the Contest for Il al
The Madison Square Garden2
ASSERTIONS PRO AND CON.
Wonderful Stories Concerning the En-
durance of "Yuma"

Considerable excitement and comments have been
occasioned by the contradictory reports set ahoat in
various interests concerning the coming contest for
the Ashley belt. Divested Of the dozen spurious in
corporations that have been put the complica-
tion 1t can be simply stated follows:-Messrs.
Kelly, Bliss and O'Leary hired Madison Square Gar
den for the month of October for the purpose of
holding athletic tournament in which a six days
"go-asyou-plcase" contest was included or course
they would not have hired the place for such pur-
pose if they had known that three days before they
to into possession contest for the Ashley
belt would have been concluded. With strange
want of business tact they secured lease with the
vanderbilts in which there stipulation that
walking matches should not be held in the Garden
before they into possession. 1t is true that
verbally Mr.. Vanderbilt assured O'Leary that no
walk would be had in the Garden before October.
and this how the assurance was given:-Affer the
lease been signed and 81 900 earnest money put
up general conversation ensued between 'Leary.
his hackers and Mr.. Vanderbilt. O'Leary said
'Of course there will be walking match in the
Garden by the present lessees. Mr.. vanderbilt?"
mo-" said Mr.. Vanderbilt. 'these people only
want it for o concert garden.
Here the conversation on this topic ended. and all
along the October lessees have felt quite confident
ton at Islington. London. changed the whole COM
plexion Of affairs. and when Dodworth. Dotsford &
Kuntz. whose lease does not expire until September
80 announced that the Ashley belt would be walked
for September % to q inclusive. the October
to work to find out how the contest might
be prevented They frst according to Mr.. Botsford,
made overtures to the management to have the
Ashley contest held in some other city. and. failing
in this they. according to the authority. offered
gentleman connected with the firm $2.0 900 cash il
he could manage to dissuade his friends from hold
ing the contest in the garden Failing in this
scheme also. tho present rumors in measure
accounted for. The claims made that MI Vanderbilt
will move to dispossess the present lessees If they
attempt to hold walking match seem to be predi-
Gated on the that he will at all hazards keep his
verbal word to the ex-champion. The efforts that
been made in certain quarters to distort this
affair out OF its true shape and make it appear
like an issue between Irish and American senti-
ment arc stigmatized base The public certainly
anxious to see walk for the belt but in the business
sauabbles Of different managers 1t has concern.
and all efforts make it take sides in this matter by
seutimentazing will fail. Already it has been given
| out that the September walk will be an American
affair."" and such merely 1t should, If no better
grounds existed, obtain precedence all others.
Cosmopolitan New York is not concerned in this claim.
| In view Of the previous history Of the garden,
| when Mr. Ed Gilmore and Mr.. Shook had it, It Is
| difficult to how the present lessees can be
joined from holding q walking match. Gilmore &
shook had lease almost identical with that Of Dod-
worth & Co., and under 1t allowed to hold
wrestling matches and all manner Of sports,
horse racing. Under tho dilmoreshook lease Pezalts
made his famous ride. Exhibition games of polo
played and contests Of all kinds were had No OBJ
| lection having been made to them 1t was estab-
lishcd precedent that these things were either
| s.eutertainment, recreation or amusement" within
| the meaning Of the lease. Now. Messrs Dodworth
the Ashley match at the garden. and their claim.
| they say has been declared valid by a number Of
| the most prominent lawyers of New York.
| WHAT ME- BoTsFonD SAYS.
In an interview with Mr.. Botsford yesterday after
noon most Of the foregoing facts were cleaned and
derbilt had not directly or indirectly given tho
to move the matter 1t is regarded strange that
Dodworth & Co. interested themselves about the
rumors that have been rife in town for the past
in their contract had said nothing to them. mole
| hill has evidently been maynihed into o mountain.
afternoon. according to Mr.. Botsford. to see Mr.
| Cornelius Vanderbilt. but could not ind him. A
HEnAD reporter who called At ,ns G1s1d Csns
had gone 70 New sot,fass During
accommodation in Boston obtained currency
"weIl" rasd he, 81 can't tell. it's just like dozen
other lies hsve been set aoat, cut out Of whole
ports to the contrary Notwithstanding the interna-
tional walking match win take place Ut the Garden
| on the 22d inst.
"rhen you win pay no attention to what IL is
threatened Mr.; vanderbilt wiI :, aon 90 ara. ,,
been ndulged in. We have certain rights and If Mr..
Vanderbilt wishes to infringe on them We Will seek
| and get protection from the courts"
'Can the vaaderbilts not proceed against you ON
the ground that you have sub-let the GardenY'
| Sharing receipts Is not subletting nor It be
made to appear by any possible distorAon OF the
It is quite clear that the walk will begin on the
| 3D. all Contradictions Notwithstanding Dodworth
Co aop% 10 pd rent reau
| when the receipts did not equal it. The
season at the Garden owing to the greater attrac-
| tions ut Coney Island, not remunerative
| as in previous years, and the management
hoped by this walking contest to make q hand
| Mr.. Botsford says:-"when took the Garden It
fitted up for walk-one was concluded, in fact.
| few days before we came into possession. We took
tons OF dirt out or the place. put down mating
| and improved the Garden In hundred ways. Now
VIC found it. Mr.. Vanderbilt viii receive his place in
tho same shape in which we received It."
others that have gone beforeY'
..No. we do not. In the first place smoking will
be allowed. This rule will be strictly enforced.
for IL Is intention to have ladies' patronixe the
| show. In such atmosphere as has been in tho
place at other matches 1t impossible for men to
make good records- Good pure air Is first essen
| tial"
| THE OTHER sIDK OF THE STORY.
So much for the lessees OF the Garden Mr.. Cor
nelus Vanderbilt for reasons given, not being got
atable. his real estate agent was called and asked
| by the reporter II any communication had passed
| between the Office and the Garden within the past
| week, to which Mr.. Van Arsdslo replied that tho
matter still rested whore At did when last
| noticed In tho HERALD. and that further
action had been taken by Mr.. Vanderbilt, or CON-
munication rcceivcd from Mr. Kuntz. "Whon tho
derDilt will move, and, he Is thoroughly deter
mined In the matter, stonc will be left unturned
| to stop the match. 1t will not under any circum-
stances be allowed TO and no half way measures