The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-03-03
SPARRIBG FOR Cash.
Secretary Su1liVan's Views
About the Scandal
Bowling.

action must be taken and promptly taken
by III several branches of the A. A U.
TO weed out the semi-professionaI boxers
and adopt rigorous laws to prevent clubs
from violating not alone the spirit but
the very letter of the law. II 1t cannot
be checked then boxing shouid be
rabooed and stricken from the list OF re-
spectacle athletics. If the methods now
in vogue are continued the clubs who
are responsible for the existing condition
OF Affairs will not STOP at bribing boxers,
but will apply the same methods
TO attract talent in other branches.
and thus contaminate the attn
letes and make the Amateur Union
a farce and butt OF ridicule. Bribery IS a
harsh word to employ, but that Is what IL
is in plain English. There does not exist
the slightest necessity for IL as nn-
friendly rivalry is checked by the wise
law which prohibits clubs in the same
vicinity holding exhibitions on the same
night. 1t arises from the folly OF one
club trying TO excel another IN the same
class In the quality of its talent, and u IS
TO satisfy this wretched form OF pride
that they make professionals OF athletes
with a guarantee that the offending
athlete will be protected. These inethods
are in vogue only in n lew OF the prom
inent clubs. The smaller clubs, they are
entitled TO praise for 1t, have beeu sincere
in upholding the laws. They are injured.
OF course, BY the action of the rich clubs.
as the stars who would attract large au-
licences rarely appear at the tournaments
of the smaller clubs because the possibll-
ity of winning a prize Is not a sufnclent
inducement- They have been spoiled by
receiving q large compensation for their
services. Rumors constantly disturb the
athletic world. Rather did, for they are OF
such freuueuL occurrence now that they
have ceased to be sensational. The latest
Is that Butler. who got the verdict In
a recent bout with CahtIl has become a
high-priced performer. He demands $50
for each performance. The sparring de-
parfment Of the A. A U. Is in a deplor-
able condition. To learn the views OF one
conspicuous in the union and who is
thoroughly acquainted with the rumors
and the PROBABLE remedy. a NEWS
reporter called yesterday on Secre-
tary James +. Sullivan at the
office of The Sporting Times
what will be Inc possible legislation
with reference to boxers aud boxing IN
the ~reorganized A. A. UP the reporter
asked.
las far as the Central Board is con-
cerned. nothing wnl be done as yet. The
Metropolitan branch, however, will take
n very decided stand with regard 10 the
question OF amateur boxing. The branch
is mainly composed of delegates from the
small clubs. and these gentlemen propose
TO Investigate the many stories concern
ing fake amateurs going the rounds.
There are any number of so-calied anna
tours travelling about tine country who,
1t is safe to say, do not give exhibitions IN
backwoods towns for the love
of the sport. And this is
exactly what the Metropolitan branch
proposes TO put a stop TO. Why, a couple
OF boxers came in here today and told me
of a club of high standing In the vicinity
of New YORK city that gave a boxing
tournament recently, in which the win
ners were rewarded with gold watches,
minus the works, but containing in their
place the sum of fifty dollars. Now, there
has been the whole trouble. These big
clubs tempt these men by Offering anna
1eurs big money prizes II aftew ards
protect them from discovery. This will
have to stop now. however"
What do you think OF the recent
charge against Butler?"
d you remember who caused all the
rumpus about Cahil?"
.Mr. Williams"
"Yes, aud he's the man who is raising
all this noise now This charge is not
worth much. anyway. The A. A. U. rules
do not make a man a professional for
merely asking for money; he has to re-
ceive IL in order to lose his amateur stand
ing. The Metropolitan branch will in
vestigate that, however. There may be a
little behind IT,"
do you think it will amount to any
thug, yourself?"
"No. / do not. unless some other case
should be brought to light by the inyesti-
gators. Benny Williams will back down
as soon as there is any sign of an investi-
rion. Those are his regular tactics, you
know.D
4 suppose there ara many similar cases
throughout the country?p
.Hundredsi But Is impossible to get
witnesses of the transactions. There lies
the whole trouble. As o rs the big
clubs cease To shield these sneak profess
SIGNALS we will have amateur boxing Il
~xof hoforo -