The record-union., 1892-03-19
D1sgusted wfth Pngills1n.

EDS. RECoRD-UNIoN: In reading an
account of that fatal 'fistic" contest which
took place in the city of Chicago a short
time ago, and of one more recently in
Portland, Or, between mere lads, the
heart sickens at the recital of so brutal an
outrage. 1t is a shame and a disgrace
that in an intelligent civilized country
ike this such brutal encounters are al
lowed to take place, not only in Chicago
and Portland, but in any portion of the
Union not entirely surrendered to law
]essness and crime. If there is one abom-
Unable custom more than another that is
deserving of the utter detestation of
Christian communities, and the avenging
sentiment of public opinion which has
hitherto been shown in the State in de-
tense of law and order-it is that Of pugil-
Ssm. 1t matters not how or where it is
conducted, whether in gilded clubrooms
with gloved hands, or in the open air
with bare knuckles, it is, nevertheless, a
cruel, barbarous custom that should be
suppressed.
Here were two young lads of respect
able parentage, who, scarcely matured
yet vigorous and strong. having prob
ably witnessed many Of these beastly
encounters, We're enticed, or aliured by
visions of pugilistic fame and gain, to
enter the ring in a bloody contest for a
victory which, when achieved. would
forever disgrace them. The painful con-
sequences are too well known to the
deeply afflicted father and mother, who
now mourn the untimely death of their
beloved son, who might have lived to
comfort and honor them, had society
and tEe law not allowed this brutal GUS
tom to prevail.
The harmless athletic exercises that used
to be practiced in the so-called manly art
Of self-detense has become altogether too
tame a pastime of late to be much in
dulged in. Downright slogging, after
the old-time ring fights, between light
weights and heavy-weights. between White
and black men, can now only satisfy the
eager curiosity and depraved natures of
both the young and the old.
The Bay City has acquired an I'M
enviable reputation for these vile exhibi-
tlons. Almost every morning the sensa-
tionl papers treat their patrons to excit-
ing-yea, thrilling, disgusting
OF genuine pugiliStic contest between
light or heavy-weights how the eye of
one was completely closed up, the nose
smashed, teeth knocked out, lips cut, the
face pounded to a Jelly and streaming
with blood, etc. All of these sickening
details are eagerly read and discussed by
the youth of our land. Every movement,
saying or doing of these detestable slog-
gers are flashed across the continent and
mlnuteIy published by the sensational
press, as If IL concerned the public as
deeply as would the beginning of war
in Europe or the passage of some highly
important measure through Congress.
Indeed, 1t has come to pass that these pro-
1essional bruisers are so much talked of
in communities, and through the press.
that they imagine themselves to be the
most important beings that travel the
face of the earth.
But II justice prevailed, and they had
their deserts, many of them would be
found in the penitentiary. committed 10
hard labor-an occupation inst s,lited TO
their strong physical condition. A mere
fine for slogging is no punishment for
these kind of otfenders-a lone term of
imprisonment is what they i1stly de-
serve, and what they should receive A
dog. bear or bull-6ght is degrading and
corrupting enough for the people TO see
without being induced to witness the
beastly spectacle of two brawnv beings
mot men pummel each other until one is
slain. or exhausted nature can endure no
more.
Now comes the news that a fight to the
finish has been made up betw cen Sulli-
van and Corbett. to take place at New Or
leans. It would be better for the parties