Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-17

First-ft is the easiest and, therefore, the
| most tempting way OF sw1ndl1ng the puDllc,
| especially the army of small betters. Re-
move the tempta ton, then "laying up heats"
| cannot be Objectionable.
Second-It is the very hardest matter for
the judges to reach and control, so as to
protect the public, Of any of the duties i'm
posed upon them.
Thrd-It is recognizing a system of bet
ting differing from all previous customs
| (wagering on contests of any kind being the
main event) and in direct opposition to the
| fundamental law of betting, that "a bettor
should not lose without chance OF win
| ning."
Fourth-Eyen though heat fs "layed up'
| innocently for the conimendab Bile purpose OF
| enhancing the chances OF winning the main
event and not for robbery, certain portion
| OF the betting public would lose their money
| without an earthly chance of winning.
| Fifth-Eecause as n matter of fact the sys-
| tenn has been for years the means OF more
swindling, more robbery, five times told, in
! trotting races than all the other methods in
racing; Next to it are second money
plays" Abolish both. If one horse is so
certain a winner that pools cannot be sold
| against him for the main event, let betting
stand still in that race. Do not make repe-
| titinn of the Hannis-Ford, the Walter E,
Honest George scandals, and hundreds OF
| others like them that might be cited, possi-
| BILE.
| Recent SheffleId Handicaps.
| Toomuch water will always drown the mill.
|
force has amply been illustrated by the
recent sprint handicaps at Sheffield, Eng
land. These handicaps are better known to
Americans now than they ever were simply
| because every year the best sprinters of this
country are taking part In them. But there
| has been too much OF Sheffield handicaps
| this time, that is, last Christmas, and as
result they were financial failures. The
| Britishers as rule are very cautious busi-
ness people and it is wonder that these
| they have been. Experience has shown
| that there cannot be two "real" Christmas
| handicaps and despite this lact of history
there were three last Christmas-two at
| Sheffield and one at Manchester.
A competition of this kind not only kills
| the business but it tends to degrade the
| sport as all kinds of inducements will be
made to get the best talent to perform at
| that or this ground 1t is competition of
this kind that nearly swamped base
ball not long ago, and if it is not stopped IN
Shefheld we will soon have no Sheffield
handicaps at all.
Points on Amateur Boxing.
Some time ago I had q few words to say
about the degeneration of amateur boxing,
and expressed the opinion that the anna
teur boxers of to-day were vastly inferior to
those of few years ago. Two or three days
ago Dominick McCafrey, who is now boxing
instructor of the Manhattan Athletic Club,
verified to the letter all that said on the
matter. McCaffrey, who certainly is in po-
sition to know of what he is talking. states
that amateur boxing is entirely done for
and that those who indulge in what they call
boxing won't be taught to box at all. As O
result professionals are being introduced to
the respective athletic clubs. This, in time,
viii certainly have bad results, and it might
be better If extraordinary in ducements were
offered to develop good amateurs
Although boxing is ore of the best of ex-
ercises ms far as have seen there is not an
q mi tanr in Alla0hanyv hu
the name. Many young men would like to
learn to box, but there is little or no oppor-
tunity. If some local athletic club would
take the matter up it might be success.
week or two ago 1 urged the East End Gyms
to try and arrange amateur boxing contests.
This suggestion may be acted upon, and il
it is there may be revived interest in box
ing.
About the Leading Pugilists.
Slavin and Mitchell have declared that
they do not intend to make any matches
until their theatrical engagements are over.
In doing this they are strictly following the
example of John L. Sullivan, so that we can
not grumble about the foreigners except
finding fault with John L. at the same time
Slavin continues TO state definitely that he
will be ready for John L. just as soon as the
latter is ready for Slavin, and that is Just as
far as anybody need go at present.
The directors of the Olympic Club, New
Orleans, have come to the front with re-
the great" men, but so far little has re-
suited. As usual, every "star' is standing
on his reputation, Whatever that may be.
Some won't fight Maher because the latter
has not beaten some frst-class men. That
ought to be good reason why he should get
lots of fights, but it isn't among our glove
fighters. Corbett won't fight Fitzsimmons
because the latter is not heavy enough.
That's a very strange reason also, but they
are strange people, these show boxers. Alto
gether, there is not much prospect of any
very important contest being arranged at
present.
1t is, indeed singular that Fitzsimmons
continues to refuse to meet Jim Hall. So far.
the former has not advanced any sound rea-
son for his refusal: and the opinion is gain
ing ground that Fitz is not very anxious to
meet Hall. The latter has convinced many
people that he is a much better man than
was thought some time ago. Fitzsimmons
alone; at any rate he is acting as il he
thought so.
That Good Old Golden Rule.
Many and many time have heard very
wise men dispute as to the originator OF
that good old rule, viz: "AIways do to
Others" etc. CONTIGUOUS or anybody else
may have laid down that golden principle,
but it is a fact that those having in charge
that glove contest Tuesday night between
Billy Plimmer and "Kid" Hogan at Brook
Ian did not do to the Englishman as Ameri-
to them. Plimmer was simply robbed of q |
well-merited victory and every account Of |
the contest proves it. From start to finish |
Hogan was never Gin it, and the decision of |
the referee, Mr.. Lewis, was indeed q great |
surprise to every fair minded man.
just for moment let us ina gine that the |
contest had taken place in Birmingham,
England, Plinlmer'S native place. and that
Hogan had peen so much superior to Plim-
mer as the latter was to Hogan at Brooklyn, |
and that the referee had declared the affair
a draw. just let US imagine this, say, and
wouldn't there have been one of these
tremendous how1s about British fair. play.
Certainly there would. But the only thing
we hear in this instance is that Piimmer had
the better OF his man from start to finish
and many people were surprised that the
referee declared the affair draw"
In plain language Plimmer robbed, |
and say this regardless of whether he is
an Englishman, an Irishman, Hindoo or Es
luimau. L draw attention to the fact sim
ply because the people who aid such unfair
1ealings here are those who are always
making noise about Americans getting
;he "raZzle dazZle'' abroad. What want
% point out is this: 1t is bad policy. Jack
hcAuliffe, who was aiding Hogan, intends
,ught to have sense to know the truth or
he old statement that "what is sauce for
loose Is sauce for the gander."
Plimmer's Glass as = Rantzm.
Only a few words need be said about Plim-
ner's class baneam fighter or boxer
ither. In a real old-time fight Plimmer
ould defeat dozen Hogans per day, and it
) not surprising that he could not finish
logan completely with gloves in eight
ounds. Both men were very light, and
nockout blows were therefore scarce be-
ore either's wind gave way. Hogan, while
ot in Plimmer's class as fighter, was