The Evening critic., 1882-07-28
MR.. BERoH ON GLOVE FIGHTS.
A Letter TO the May or from the Presi-
dent orthc society for the Preven-
lion of Cruelty 10 Animals.

tion ofCrucIty 10 Animals.
Henry Bergh, the president OF tho Society
for tho Prevention OF Cruelty to Animals, yes
terday sent the following lettor TO Mayor
Grace:
ain morning paper OF the 25th Inst. have
read n report OF meeting held the other
night at II sporting place, which was assem-.
bled for the purpose OF arranging 'bcastly
fight in this city between two thugs at an carly
day. / do not wish TO be considered over
soieamish with regard TO the honor aud re-
spoctablllty OF this commercial city, for very
well know that sentiment doesn't pays; but
would like to know how II rs tha. W our ca,lons
nually for tho preservation OF order, among
other things, and that such scenes as those
which took place lately at ,,s Maaisoh m SQUARE
is no law for their prevention, because tho
ruiIlnns wear glovesl
'That is the mereet sophistry OF humbug..
But there arc laws against prlze.nghting aud
betting, and that was a prize-ilght; one OF tho
conditions being Ito knock an antagonist out
OF time and this could only BIO done by the
inniction OF such blows rs would disable him.
A fight with naked fists can do no more. And
yetwo have tho anomalus picture presented
TO the gazo OF tho decent population of New
York OF 10000 disreputable persons assem-.
bling to witness the battering 'out of time OF
two human, or, more properly speaking, In
human beings, under the protection OF the po-
lice. Now, what say these laws referred TO
against prige.nghting, betting and gambllng"
"'An act TO prevent. .prize-ilghts and lights
among game animals; passed April A, 1885,
"'Every person who shall set on foot, or In
stigate, or move to, or carry on, or promote, or
engage In as u witness, umpire or Judge, or do
any act toward the furthorance OF any pre-
moditatod fight, or contention between per-
sons with their lists, commonly called prize
Tight or any fight between gamo-brds, or
game cocks, or dogs, or bulls, or bears, or be-
tween dogs and rats, or any other animals,
shall be liable to arrest and prosecution for so
doing, and upon conviction thereof shall be
punished by imprisonment In penitentiary
or county jail for a term not less than ten days
or exceeding ono year, or by q fine not exceed
SIiow is IL that dog. lighting and cock. Il ght-
ing are become impossible In this city under
the operation OF those same lawsP What has
rendered It dangerous for any sot OF ruflinns
to arrange for such a spectacle between anil
mails as took place between men at Madison
Square Garden under the patronage Of the
police? Simply because there exists here q
non.political, nonsectarian and resolute so,
ciety which would have dispersed or arrested
the outlaws engaged In 1t. And they know 1t.
Only for the existence OF this same society
II Is almost certain that bull-nghting would
now be ono Of the sporting institutions
OF this pleasuro.loving city; but Its establish
ment among us was prevented by the
enforcement OF the very same laws
which the police ignore. corps of Spanish
summers ago, having ample funds, tinsel and
red flags, erected an arena at One-hundred-
and.sixteenth street, Notwithstanding the pro-
test and warning of this society; but, as all
know, the barbarous enterprise resulted In
disastrous failure to the Spaniards because OF
the existence OF tho watchful Institution which
I have tho advantage OF representing, aided
by tho very police which now attend 'man-
fights MS spectatorsl And another OF these
spectacles is impudently announced In the
papers TO take place on the evening of tho 1th
Of next month. The decent people OF New
York look 10 Your Honor TO protect them from
arccurrence of such disgusting and unciviliz'
ing orgies"