New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-08
THE PRIZE-RlNG.
WITH NOTES ON ITS RECENT HISTORY AND
AN ACCOUNT OF THE STATE OF BRIT
ISH OPINION.
London. December 25.

~
if it have a heart. 1t always reminds one of that
excellent clergyman who preached on the Keenan,
Savers contest. He said all the right things from
the religious and moral points Of view and then
the British Adam asserted himself "Yes, my
brethren and it was not only wrong but unfair.
for Heenan was much taller and stronger man
than Savers and struck smaller man than him
self as hard as he could So the journalist
preacher when his moralities have been hand
somely expressed, and prze-nghting duly de-
nounced as barbarous survival from barbarous
age-say a generation ago-discusses the details
with gusto, and prOnounces his verdict with de-
cison on the unfair conduct of Smiths crowd 70
Slayin The sermon is concession 70 what he
supposes 10 be the feeling Of the time The pro-
test against the disregard Of fair play is human
outburst which has the genuine British ring
in it,
For the twentieth time we are told that THIS
performance has put an end to the prlze-rng. 10
is remarkable how much life there is in a-what
shall call it ?-an institution, which has been
ended and buried so many times over 10 the music
of so many funeral discourses II we had not been
told the contrary so often, it might have been
thought that we were looking on at a revival Of
the prize-ring Have you forgotten the royal
honors with which Sullivan was received IN Eng
land Has the excitement over the kilrain-Smith
and Sullivan-Mtchell and Sullivan-Kilrain battles
passed out of mind? Has the Pelican Club ceased
TO exist Have the Aquarium matches been
fought TO empty benches? Did nobody care about
the JaclIson-Smith combat? And has the public
been Indifferent TO this last Slavin-Smith exhibit
ton in Belgium?
What else sold the papers Monday and Tues
day? What else made Fleet Street impossible
There is a letter in to-days Times which speaks
volumes For over an hour this afternoon
writes an indignant and aggrieved and, on the
whole, rather comic correspondent, the street
was impossible. 1t was filled with bowling mob
of roughs who had congreGated 10 see the arrival
of one of the heroes Of yesterdays prze-fght.
There was number Of policemen in attendance,
but the constabes only adequate 10 escort
ing the cabs Of the prize-iighters and the car
riages of the prize fighters lady-friends' There
is food OF light on the whole question, though
with the ever-to-be-regretted omission Of the
names of the prize-fghters' lady-friends We
will assume that they all DuchesSes.
Elsewhere may be read full accounts of Savin's
visit TO the Stock Exchange. He was admitted
within the precincts Of the house. privilege
accorded only 70 persons Of the greatest distinc-
tion-was received by the assembled members with
loud and continuous cheers. and left the building
$500 richer than when he entered it, though few
members seem 10 have been present, and tho pOus
journalist who chronicles the proceedings assures
his sympathetic readers that the sum will M
doubtedly be increased after the holidays The
Pelican Club too has subscribed another $500,
and az a meeting Of the committee OF that dis
tinguished body, motion of Mr. John Corle,t.
seconded by the Marquis OF Queensberry. il was
resolved that letter Of sympathy and admiration
be addressed 10 Mr. Slavin. The Letter is far TOO
precious document 10 be summarized. give IL
you in full
Pelican Club. Denman-st.. Dec "a. 1880.
"Slr: I am directed 10 inform you at an eNtraor-
binary meeting Of the Pelican Club. held on Deem
Der o. 1t was unanimously decided 20 express 70
You their adm ration for your courage, honesty and
manliness. and also to sympathlse with you for the
dastardly in which you were treated In your
fight in Belgium with Smith.
The Pelican Club recognises that you, in the said
Aght fairly earned for yourself the title Of Champion
OF England and in order TO give effect 10 that opinion
it is their intention at early date to present to
you belt in recognition Of your victory. Yours
truly. CECIL RALEIGH, Hon. Sec.
Frank slavin, esq"
Pray observe the Frank Slavin, Esq" II Is
not usual in this country 10 address even tho
most eminent puglists as "esquires' until they
become Members of Parliament; nor, in speaking
Of them in print 10 prefix Mr. 20 their names.
But with the precedent before me | think IL
dccorous 10 write Of Mr. Slavin and Mr.
Smith; at least sometimes.
Furthermore Mr. John Fleming. Smiths hacker.
was suspended until a general meeting of the
members OF the club can be called 10 consider
his conduct in connection with the Smith and
Slavin fight; and meanwhile, he is 10 give an
explanation Of his conduct in writing 70 the
committee The solemnty Of this censure could
hardly he exceeded. Mr.. John Fleming has
hitherto acted Master Of the Ceremonies 10 the
Pelican Club; an office which may be compared
To that OF Lord Chamberlain of the Royal House
hold. The world is largely. perhaps wholly. in
debted TO him for lis knowledge Of Mr.. Jem
Smith, who has borne for the last few years the
proud title of Champion Of England which now,
alas, he bears no more. Inc committee OF the
Pelican Club, who legslate with promptness
and energy worthy of all admiration. have de-
creed that Mr. Frank Slavin has indiSputaby
established his title 10 the Championship of Eng
land. and have announced their intention of pre-
scnting him with a belt, as well as purse IN
recognition of his courage and of his dignity.
Smith recedes into the background.
1t is but the other day that Mr.. John Fleming
could proudly present Smith to the British public
as their champion. lie could not beat Kilrain, hut
it appears that a champion remains a champion
till he is himself beaten, though he cannot beat
the man who tries to beat him. Then Mr.. Peter
jackson, the colored Sullivan. thrshed Mr.. Jem
Smith a round and half with the gloves one
Sunday eyening-stroty, IL was Monday NOM
ing, for midnight had pasScd-at the Pelican club;
and still Mr.. Jem Smith remained Champion of
England, and, like the Duke of wellington at
Waterloo, did not know when he was beaten. IL
is pleasing TO compare one great man with an
other and TO find IN the hero of to-day the traits
which conferred immortal renown on his illustrious
predecessor But now | apprehend that Mr..
Savin, and not Mr. Smith, is Champion. Mr..
John Fleming himself has declared that all con-
ncctlon between himself and Mr.. Jcm Smith must
cease. lie felt that lac could not act for Smith
Ltnr ,rLat Lnl unnmrr..l | nssum, Ihai cNnrY