New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-01
THE PROPOSED GLOVE CONTEST

! A LIKELIHOOD THAT II MAJ MI VOOOh'
THE POLICE BOARD AND THE MAYOR SEEKING The
CplNION OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL AS 10
THEIR POWER IN THE MATTER.
There Is a strong probability that the glove con-
tost between sullivan and Wilson, which has been
announced to take place III this city on August L.
will nor occur President French of the Police
BOARD. SAID yesterday that there was a good
deal OF doubt in the minds of the police officials as
IN whether or not the ast contest came within the
law governing prize fights He consulted counsel at
the time and was told hat there vas no law To pre-
vent such a contest; 50 no action was taken, much
ms regret to stoplt. On further consultation. the
police officials have to the conclusion that 1t Is
q fair bjecr of doubt. The matter was discussed
AZ the meeting of the Police Board Yesterday and on
motion of President French the following resolution
was adopted
whereas The Acting Superintendent: reports that. in
compliance with instructions from this Board he has
consulted with the Corporation Counsel win reference
power OF the Board Of Ponce To suppress pubic
exhibitions OF pTze fighting other manner OF sparrlng
contests, and that he j. informed that an OPINION upon
that subject for the guidance Of the poce III accordance
with the law will be Immediately prepared
c tn,i To- BOARD of Police nave the power TO sun
nres- such exhibitions. the superintendent be. and
hereby is directed Issue such orders receipt OF the
same a. will prevent absolutely the advertised fight IN
Madison Square Garden on August Ii, and all other
exhibitions OF a similar character in this city.
I'VE have instructed Acting Superintendent
Thorne" said Mr.. French " 10 take every step pos
sible within the law prevent another such beasty
exhibition. If it cannot be stopped it will be ho
fault of the police"
It was intimated at the City Hall that the zeal Of
the Police Commissioners in taking such action at
this time was due TO the course pursued by Mayor
Grace in answer to the request of Henry Bersh,
asking that another brutal exhibition of this kind
be not allowed
"In fact said well-knOwn city official, " the
| last glove contest social ed. between Wilson and
sullivan, was clearly violation of the law, and
every police official who was present and
witnessed 1t is liable To indictment, and
the Police Commissioners who cOnnived at II
and refused to give orders 10 stop Titus virtually
giving their official sanction to a prize hght-are
not ONLY liable to indictment, but to removal from
Office This is the opinion Of able lawyers who have
given careful attention to the matter tell you
the Police COmmI~ viii have cause tOr zeal
before they get through with this matter"
Mayor Grace SAID mat he had referred the ques-
ZION TO Cooperation Counsel Whitney for his opln-
ION a. 20 wne her such contest was legal or not
The following is copy OF the letter sent by the
Mayors secretary:
MAYORS OFFICE. NEw-YoRK. July 2s, 1852.
WILLIAM c. WHITNEY. esq. COuaSet 10 the Corporation
~TN Nv direction of the Mayor nclOse for your con
sdlrotinn a conmuncation from Henry Bersh, esq.
piiive 10 ALLEGED prize hfing The Mayor directs
% req opinion al the earliest lacucaDe ual,
a- To whether snt between individuals III pursuance
o. A previous arrangement. such persons nghtlhg ln
ring or otherwise with gloves, attended by seconds,
and coutending for pllZe or reward, anu
under a challenge TO nghi. with the intention
of hghting I'll party succumbs from exhaustion OF
inir ar will the desi IN on part either party OF
placing the other hors de combat within certain period
OF umc in given number OF ROUNDS II nshl Win
ISIS or a prize ght within the meaning Of the law
WILLIAM Vi. WINS, secretary.
CorporatiOn Counsel Whitney was out Of the city,
but hIs assistant, Mr. Andrews was giving me
ouostlou his consideration yesterday. lie SAID that
be had not sufficiently considered II to give an oph-
ION upon il as yet, but he Inlnaed tina II the ar
nm tine police ought to interfere. II the contest
comes within the law, the persons who let the MaGl-
son Square Garden for tine purpose OF such uBht
we're also liable TO prosecution as well as all those
connected with the fight as " managers"