The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-03

~ test will draw thousands Of
spectators. Such grcnt numbers Of people
have the right to expect fair sport, md ~
the bcstcwal OF their favor here or there
should have the power to secure it. But
popular sentiment must be founded upon
right principles in order to accomplish
good results. When fair and crooked work
meet about an equal share Of adverse criti-
cism, there is not much chance to reform.
The course Of affairs inthe department Of
amateur boxing has been the subject OF
much dispute recently, and the air has been
full Of accusations and denials. Ths charge
Of professionalism has been freely made,
and no we'll informed person can dcubtthat
IL has some foundation. I shall have some
thing to say about it in the latter portion
Of this letter. Another squad of critics has
dealt with the matter of decisions, claim
ing that, through incompetence and prciu-
dice on the part of the judges and referees.
the best boxers frequently missed the mod
als. Tt il on this subject that | have been
asked to give IN opinion.
A sport in which the best men do not win
can never hold a place. Participants and
spectators soon tire of unfair contests. The
sentiment of Justice is deep seated and
easily offended. Spectators of q boxing
contest are quick to rise in protest at a de-
cision which looks bad. But they are not
always right even when nearly unanimous;
indeed, the kickers are much more often
wrong.
It is impossible for a referee to please
everybody; il is hard enough for. him to act
80 that his W sense of Justice will be sat
isfied afterwards. But l believe that this
srduous position is generally we'll filled.
It should be remembered that in q crowd
of two or three thousand spectators there
are ordinarily not moro than fifty really
good judges of boxing. And no great pro-
portion Of so large a number can be near
tho ring. 1t is not easy to appreciate the
fine points of a boxing match unless one is
reasonably close to the contestants.
Then, too. with eood judges aud = fair
view there will be room for difference of
for instance, in q box at the Metropolitan
opera house during the Amateur Athlstis
union's contests, and have disagreed with
hin more than once III the course Of an
evening. And perhaps some other expert
enced man would be present and side first
with one of us and then with the other.
When, on such occasions, / have found nv
self in opposition to the r~0ferse, / have al
ways remembered that he was nearer to tina
boxers and might have noticed something
which escaped me.
In general, however, the points Of a good
boxer should be clearly visible to the
Grained eye, and there should be few mis-
takes in the decisions. But a referee is
beset by many temptations. 1t is hnrd for
my man to be perfectly impartial. Ho sees
two men come into the ring, and perhaps at
the very outset he notices one Of them do
something which is a little unmanly.
IT is allnoat impossible for him to prevent
being set fr-a-Ast such a contestant. SDme
referees hay> a tendency to be influenced
by good looks. Hers are two men, ono of
whom looks the gentleman from head to
foot, while the other is q regular .'tarrier''
in appearance. There are SONS who lind it
hald not to watch the gentleman and let