Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-22
: BRUIsER EXHIBITOR.

Tonight IN exhibition by parcel of
bruisers, or so-called pugilists, is to be
given in this city. 1t ought not to be, but
it Is probable that there is no law to pre-
vent it. where there should be. These
pugilistic exhibitions are demoralizing,
contribute nothing TO the public good, do
not augment the sum Of human happiness,
and are representative of the brutal els-
ment, which Will be present in force to.
night as it floats to the surface on all such
occasions. Il is said in defense of these
disgusting shows, one or more of which we
have witnessed sufficiently to analyze them,
that they are not harmful because no
actual personal violence is accomplished,
soft gloves being used. This IS mere pre-
tense, for the men who exhibit themselves
do go as bruisers. and the curiosity to see
them is aroused by the announcement that
they have bruised, battered, MANNED and
wounded their fellow. men in the prize
ring. They cannot lay any claim to the
ohivalrc the skill they represent is not
chat which is used for mems good, to de-
lend the right or redress wrong On the
contrary it is more likely to be acquired
by the evil !o,r, more likely to be
used by the rowdy, the rntfian and
the cut-throat It is no defense OF
these exhibitions whatever that the
art OF selfdefense is a manly art 1t is
manly; it Is an accomplishment to be able
to take care Of ones self, ~ to know how
to guard ones body from the blows of an
adversary but such exhibitions as these
do not teach the art of selfdefense. The
spectator may witness two bruisers pound
each other for hours and not be a whit
wiser as TO how best to use his own arms in
defending his body. or how best to make
an assault when the necessity arises fer it.
Pngilism is the art of selfdefense run to
riot; it Is the perversion and prostitution
OF a good thing it is the debasement of
muscular development and the shame Of
manual dexterity. Such art of seIf.de.
Tense as these mountebank heaters Of hu.
man oountenaDces exhibit is in the interest
OF the bad against the good. 1t enables
rascals to ride rough shod over right by
the power Of the strong arm; it gives the
garroter an advantage over his victim it
enables the hoodlum to impose upon the
pesceable; it arms vice against virtue
Whatever there Is in the srt of self.detense
worth acquiring is taught properly in the
gymnasiums, and in some Of the educational
institutions Of the country, fot skillin box.
ing fencing, singestick and the like, in a
degree, is al accomplishment; but thst is
no reason that in this epidemic era Of fish.
cuffs, a company Of brutal prize fighters
should bepermitted % goabout the country
and inhsmo the baser passions and awaken
the brutal Instincts The advent and de-
par,ure Of such as these are always marked
by disorder. extending from the fighting in
the streets by schoolboys, to the scenes in
the regular ring for blood money by adults
II there IS any father IN Sacramento who
believes his son viii be benefited morally,
physically or intellectually by witnessing
FIVE or six stalwart Eastern bar-room
roughs, who ought to be working
for an honest living, knock each
other about with stuffed gloves, by all
means LET him take him to the exhi-
bition. II there is a mother who has the
faiutest idea that her daughter will be
strengthened in virtuous principle or ele-
waited in taste by looking upon the shsm
fighting of these fellows, SKINNED from
the slums Of civilization, and whose over
developed muscles testify to the abuse they
visit upon nature, by all means let her
send her to tle theater. The whole busi-
ness of the prize ring is infamous; but its
infamy is somewhat abated for by the sea!
Of condemnation the law puts upon it.
Bat these sham battles are more infamous
because they are not condemned by the
law, for they throw glamour over the
actual brutality of the "ring by the alb
gence of the bloody attendants Of the real