Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-18
A REVIEW OF SPORTS
Opinions AbOutthe Conviction
of John L. Sullivan.
ITS EFFECT ON PUGILISM.
Some Leading Features of Local and
National Baseball.
TIE TEEMER-GAUDAUR BOAT RACE
Ed HanlOn Likely to Make a Good Team
Manager.
ITS EFFECT ON PUGILISM.
TIE TEEMER-GAUDAUR BOAT RACE
PETER JACKsONSPUGILISTIC ABILITIES

PETER JACkS0N'SPUGlLlST ABILITIES
Few people, if any, who have taken an
interest in the arrest and trial of John L.
Sullivan and others for participation in the
now famous prize fight in Mississippi, would
be surprised to hear of the conviction of the
champion. 1t would have been one of the
most remarkable events connected with the
prize ring had Sullivan not been found
guilty, and it certainly would have made a
complete burlesque OF the administration of
law. Even as matters have ended there has
been much done that is not creditable to the
way in which the law was protected. II
seems to me that if a thorough investigation
was made it would be discovered that the
arrests at least were made because of the ab-
sence of sufficient 'hush money" Why it
is now public fact that one
of the principals of the fight was protected to
the ring side by the very man who has been
conspicuous in the arrest. This protection was
given. we are told, on promise that the pro-
tected would pay certain amount of money
for it. The money was never paid, and why
all transacted merely to ''get evenF' L yet fail
to see why the fight was allowed to take place
at all il there was all the earnestness about the
law officers regarding the unfolding of the law
that we were told there was. Probably there
was never a prize fight more heralded than the
one in question. Anybody in Mississippi could
easily find out where the battle ground was to
be and yet not representative of the law was
on the scene except as a spectator. Surely
these facts give reason for suspecting that
many people expected money from the affair
and that these expectations were blighted
There is every proof that the principals were
bounded from place TO place after the fight,
not because of any desire of the hounders to
vfndicate the law. but entirely to obtain
money. ], therefore, ask again if the expecta-
tion of money did not allow the fight TO pro-
ceed, what did?
Effects of the Conviction.
Undoubtedly the conviction will have a very
staggering effect on prize fighting both in this
and in otlfer countries 1t is likely that we
have seen the last championship battle under
the old-time conditions for long time to come
in this country. dare say not many people
will be sorry for this in view of the way this
kind of contests have been conducted of late.
Time and time again have contended in these
columns that to get money and not to de-
NelOp skill ana test merit was the
great aim of pugilism nowadays. This element
has operated so strongly that the most ques-
tionable transactions have been resorted to.
Even in the last battle at Mississippi the great
object was money. Trains were chartered and
the affair was announced from every hilltop in
the country. Every inducement was offered to
get citizens of whatever rank to put up their
money and patronize the fight. The fact of the
fight was thrust in the face of every man
whether he was a pastor or bookmaker
Money was wanted; the light was secondary.
Can bold and bOisterous violations of law like
this be allowed? Even if there was no law to
prevent the trumpet announcements of prize
hight nor the fight itself, depend upon il,
the public would demand a law. In
the past it was these large and rough
crowds at prize fights that more than anything
else stopped them. So ii has been in this coun-
try. Admirers of pugilistic skill must now look
to private clubs for contests under Queens
berry rules. This will be all the better for Sui
lvan. But it may not be wide of the mark to
predict very strong efforts will be made to
reach the clubs, and if that is done boxing will
receive heavy blow.
OF course. SuIlvan's sentence is a salty one
and everybody will wonder why the referee
was only fined $3.50. The referee is a Southern
man, but / have always understood that a
space would allow would like TO say few
words regarding the Smith-Slavin match. I'll
do that next week.
b0seDall Auair8.
The local club has during the week once
more demonstrated the fact that it can do
great work. The games on Thursday and Fri
day particularly show that the players are in
the front rank when they are in form. 1t is
their irregularity, however, that has been their
downfall, both in the race and in the estimation
of the people. Now and again they show all of
us that they can Just do their work as clean and
as brilliant as anybody aDd suddenly they de-
ever, there may be little consolation in the
fact that they can play great ball The team is
undoubtedly In good shape again, and that &C
counts more than anything else for the recent
good work The pitchers, at least all of them
except Conway, are all right, and if they keep
in form it may be possible for the team TO land
in fifth place One thing is sure, viz, that II
the players keep all right they will have much
20 say in determining whether New \ ork OF
Boston shall have the pennant
League and Association.
The interview with ]. W. Waltz, which ap-
peared in this paper on Monday, contained
many features of vital interest to patrons of
both the National League and the American
Association. The principal statement of Mr..
Waltz, however, was to the effect that the As
sociation will certainly do something during
the coming winter toward having a common
plan Of organization adopted by the two large
baseball bodies. Mr.. Waltz is probably in
pOSlLlOu 10 Lalk auL0OIlLdLlNely on the matter.
He is a prominent official of the Baltimore
club, and his commercial business has brought
him in contact with all the Association IN ag-
mates recently. He is, therefore, in possession
OF the opinion of the Association people, so
that what he says may be taken as what the
Association intends to do. This is probably
one of the most important questions that will
come up for discussion during fall and
winter. A settlement of it may mean
avery great revolution in baseball organization;
but we may expect to see the abolition of the
present mode of classifying the salaries of
players. If this is adhered 20 il is not likely
that the Association will unite with the League
on the matter However Mr.. Waltz gives us
some idea of what may be done. Speaking as a
member of the Association he says that the
plan suggested by President Spalding is one,
generally speaking, worthy of adoption. Many
good authorities in the League also entertain
similar opinions. so that we may be fully pre-
pared 10 see a strong effort made to have the
plan made baseball law. The plan in my way
of thinking, seems all right, except that part of
il which relates to minor leagues, and which
was discussed by me last Sunday.
Afraid of n brotherhood.
But il seems to me that one OF the strongest
inducements the Association magnates have to
get in line with the League is the fear of As
sociation players organizing brotherhood. 1
state this mostly on authority of Mr.. Waltz
There is nothing to complain about in this, but
If the desire is to try and ignore the existence