Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-10

anybody to say the Pelicans do not enjoy
themselves on Sunday evenings by having
boxing contests. There Is tendency in
this country to protect aristocratic clubs, no
matter what they do. Only few days ago
a well-known workingmen's s club was raided,
and it is safe to say that the gambling, etc.,
within its doors, couldn't Tor one moment be
compared with the wholesale system OF the
Pelican Club.
1t is this thought or fact that is prompt
| ing members of Parliament in making in
quiries about the matter. The notion pre-
walls extensively among the masses that the
Government shuts its eyes to the illegal acts
of the upper ten," while the poor people
are persecuted. In other words, it is claimed
| that there is q law for the rich and another
for the poor. It is true that almost all the
members Of the Pelican Club are members
of other clubs, and that they are only mem-
bers of the Pelican because of its gambling
and pugilistic features This tact is very
we'll known, and surely If it is right for that
club to exist it cannot be wrong for the var.
ious workingmen's clubs in 'Clerkenwell
and other parts of the city 70 be run on sim
liar principles. will be much surprised
if the question is allowed to drop in the
House Of Commons. Mr.. Graham and his
friends are Of the determined class, and, de-
pend upon it, they will force mat
ters. The Pelicans must be very care
full in future and I am inclined to think
that no matter what they do they will be
watched very closely. If once the question
is brought fully before the people the Gov
ernment will be compelled to treat the aris-
tocrstic Pelicsns the same as other people
and that will mean no more championship
battles in the club. I mention these facts
to point out to Americans the strong proba-
bility there is of public boxing being vetoed
here. This probability will make it risky
for American pugilists to come to this coun-
try until the matter is thoroughly settled.
There is a strong desire among the British
aristocracv to witness frst-class fights or
glove contests and they are willing to pay
we'll for them. But as soon as the officers of
the law begin to interfere the bloods keep in
the background.
Totf Wall ana Fogarty.
A few days ago made an effort to have
match arranged between Toff Wall, the
English middIeweight champion, and Jack
Fogarty. The formers backer, Tom
symonds, is proprietor of the Blue Anchor,
Shoreditch, kind of boxing headquarters.
1 had q long conversation with Mr.
Symonds on the matter, and found him to
be very frank and fair-minded gentleman.
He was perfectly willing to put up good
stake for Wall to fight Fogarty, or to try
and secure purse. Further, he was per-
fectly willing to visit America with Wall,
provided the latter receives the usual ex-
penses for the journey. Mr.. Symonds
said: "I have been prevailing on
nv friend Wall for a long time
to go to America, but SO far he has been
strongly opposed to the journey. He
doesn't like the sea and he is not willing to
venture across it But 1 think can get
him persuaded to cross, and if can he will
certainly fight Fogarty or anybody else at
154 pounds, or may say 158 pounds. Wall
is about 150 when in condition. so that he
almost always has to concede weight when
he fights any of the middle-weights. II he
insists on not going to America ne will meet
Fogarty in England in the fall"
The above statement is quite plain enough
to be understood by Fogarty and his backer,
Mr.. Quinn. I am confident that contest
between Fogarty and Wall would be one of
the most interesting seen for long time.
Of course am inclined to think that when
in condition, Fogarty is the peer Of any
middle-weight in the world, and we all
know that Wall is one Of the most accom-
plished boxers in the world. lam certain
that ii Fogarty's hacker corresponds with
London, a match can. be secured; or if a
communication is sent to the Sportsman
Office, London, arrangements can be made.
Wall has large following in London and
is the recognized champion. He stated two
or three days ago that he is still determined
not to cross the sea, but his friends think he
will change his mind. He has very singu-
lar temperament.
Al the Blue Anchor.
I spent an evening at the famous Blue
Anchor. and saw several good boxing con-
tests. The latter are conducted on the most
orderly and fair principle. The hall is of
good dimensions and when was there it
was packed with rough looking, but an
orderly crowd. Mr.. Symonds permits of no
collections or anything of that kind, and he
insists on every contestant getting fair play
and on every spectator being quiet and gen.
tlemanly. 1t is indeed great boxing re-
sort, and some of the best pugilists England
has produced have came to the front by
means of the Blue Anchor.
Let me say few words that think will
interest the patrons OF the historic game of
cricket. was one among the 80, 900 pee pie
who witnessed the three-day match between
the English and the Australian teams at
Lords the other day. 1t was the greatest
match OF the year by all odds, but it was Gar
short of the exciting features of many
matches of lesser note. The Australians
we've completely outplayed and were badly
beaten. One of the most interesting features
OF the contest was the patience exercised by
the tremendous crowd. Thousands sat for
hours and at times they had long waits be-
fore they saw anything except the batsman
stopping the ball with his bat. AS large as
the crowd was there was not one-hundredth
part of the enthusiasm displayed that can be
seen at a Pittsburg baseball ground In
an ordinary game. The proceedings were
of the humdrum and matter-oi-tact kind.
There are, however, just as many uncertain
ties in cricket as in baseball. For instance,
in the first inning DR.. Grace, the champion,
was retired before he made q run. What
disappointment that wasi In the second
inning the Peoples William" as ne is
called, scored 75. and might have been
scoring yet had a sufficient number Of runs
not been obtained to win. Grace is won
der ul batsman and at times bowler must
need q large amount of grit to con-
tinue bowling to him. On Mon
day the attendance was IL, 2,345; Tues
day, .12,726, and on Wednesday
5,2Os, making grand total of 30,279 "pay-
ing" admissions. This at shilling per
head represented 81, ,513, or little over
81 900. The Australians got half of this,
but there was a large amount taken on the
grand stands which the Colonials did not
touch. The crowd undoubtedly was a
profitable one, but if foreign baseball team
of first-class rank were to visit America and
play an all-America team three games for
the international championship, 1 am in
nli ad to think that twine fnuch money