Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-04

arrest of John L. will work to his great benent;
indeed, many people are convinced that the en-
tire proceeding is put up" affair to advertise
the champion previous to his starting out on
his boxing and athletic tour. While cannot
bring myself to believe that such is the case.
firmly hold the opinion that the affair will re-
suit in great profit to Sullivan and those inter-
esteA in his projected tour After the proceed
ings are all over and Sullivan goes South on
tour he will, to use common phrase, coin
money There are thousands of people in the
country who will look upon him as a martyr Tor
the advertising that he will get
will be worth many thousands OF dollars,
prospects of wealth he will doubtless net
handsome fortune. 1t cannot be expected that
Kilrain will be allowed to go free; If he is
shrewd man he will follow the example of Sui
livan and face the music. The general opinion
seems to be that tine will be all the penalty
imposed. This may be so. but it will add an
other strange feature to the case If, after pur-
suing the pugilists all over the country, they
are taken to Mississippi simply to be fined and
receive little admonition. If after the two
gladiators have passed through the Legal or
ing exhibitions they certainly would drag in
the dollars to almost an unlimited extent 1t
is not likely, however, that the lion and the
lamb will play together:
Tho Championship Claim.
Want of space prevented my saying anything
last week about Smiths challenge to Sullivan
and the formers claim to the championship.
However, can speak more definitely on the
matter now as Sullivan has publicly declared
his intention to participate in no contests IN
future except flair stand-up fights. face to
face This settles the question beyond all doubt,
and for the life Of me cannot see why Sullivan
should any longer lay claim TO the champion
ship. OF course we all know that his reference
to "face to face" means Queensberry rules. 1
Kilrain and Smith fought for the champion
ship under the old-time and recognized prize
ring rules The battle was a draw. Then Sui
livan, under the same rules. fought kllra1n
and won the championship. Let US bear
in mind that the rules were the same that all
champions fought under, probably with one or
two slight changes. But when Sullivan has
followed in the wake of other champions and
won the highest title under the recognized
championship rules he declines TO risk the title
except under different conditions than those
under which he won it. submit that there is
no justice in a proceeding of this kind. nor is
there any precedent. If the question was sub
mitted to any IL disinterested men in the world
who know anything at all about pugilism. L
venture to say that not one would vote in Sulli-
vans favor. II is. therefore, clear to me that
if Sullivan persists in his determination to not
fight again under prize ring rules he has % no
claim whatever on the championship belt. But
what does Sullivan's resolve mean? 1t means
to a great extent prize fighting in a more brutal
form than we have had it. Only bullies
and men of brute strength talk about face to
face" fighting. For generations it has been
taught that there is science and art in protect
ing one's-self with the weapons nature has
given.us. This art and science allows little
men 10 hold their own against big men, pro-
viding there is room and opportunity, accord
ing to rule, to outmaneuver the big man.
There is something scientific and fair in these
conditions, but when a man Of brute force in
sists that his opponent shall be compelled to
stand in front of him until he is almost bat
tered TO death il is time to draw the line. 1t is
not fighting; it is butchery. Sulllvan's declar-
alton simply means that he thinks he can pull
verize everybody under Queensberry rules We
have known this for some time; but his declar
alton also means that he has little regard for
prize-ring rules, and we may take that to mean
that he is not at home under them. We have
also known that ever since he fought Mitchell.
However, it may be that he will change his
mind and adopt policy more creditable to the
prize ring.