The herald., 1893-06-17
PRIZs EIGHTING AND ACTING = THE
STATUS OF TWO NOTED PUGILIsTs.

That the apotheosis OF prize fighting
has at last drawn to an end seems to be
a proposition beyond dispute. Even
Corbett has failed to draw. The nause-
ous experiment OF introducing bruisers
az actors has failed utterly OF enthusing
the public. II is jnst possible that ulti-
mstely the American people may adopt
the handy idea of showing every one who
shows an inclination to earn living by
the use OF his "msuleys" into the chain
gang. Then would we indeed enter upon
a new and auspicious era. As q matter
OF current theatrical gossip it may be
stated that Corbett naver has, nor does
he now, draw ss we'll as Sullivan. AL
though he'succeeded In bssting the Her
cnles OF the ring, the public give Sulli-
van very much more cordial and very
much more remunerative greetings
than they extend to his con-
queror. What explanation, If any,
there is OF this circumstance,
the curious are at liberty to inquire. 1t
may be owing in part to the fact that
John L. Sullivan maintained his pecu-
liar pre-eminence for quite ten years
against all comers, and to the popular
belief that Corbett could not hold il for
half that time. There can be no ques-
ton Of the fact that the burly Bostonian
held the fort for phenomenal period,
he was free with his money and has a
following. Before he engaged in his
last battle with CorbetU he ought to have
retired from the stage and TO have run
for congress. Like John Morrissey, he
might have made valuable member Of
that body; just as Mr.. John Guppy, an
ex-prize fighter, was for years a highly
respectable member OF the British par
lament. Neither Morriseey nor
Guppy were ever known to favor
corrupt measure in their Legislative
careers, and it was a knowledge
of this fact that secured John Norris
sey's triumphant election as senator in
the New York legislature, in the most
aristocratic wards OF New York city,
over Augustus Schell, who had been
twenty years chairman OF the Democratic
national committeee. The polls on cleo
tion day, on Madison and Lexington ave-
nues, we're signalized by tho arrival OF
carriages with liveried servants, whose
occupants almost to man voted for
Morriasey.
They complimented him thus con-
spicuously not because he was prize
fighter, nor did they thus honor him be-
cause he was gambler. They simply
emphasized the fact by their votes that
he was better man than the crowd
that WAS running his distinguished com.
petitor.
Whether Sullivan will retire from his
profession OF actor and go into politics
remains to be seen. Az member from
Boston he would present marked con-
trast to that superfine dude. John Cabot
Lodge, but in whose favor the compsri-
Aon would result would be one of the
problems of the iuture. Tho faot re-
mains, however, that Sullivan's popu-
iarity, instead OF diminishing, ia increas-
ing. As an actor he draws twice the
houses that Corbett draws, and there is
always an enthusiastic crowd to meet
him on his arrival at any place. His de-
feat, instead of making him back mum.
Der, has raised his grading as star.
This is not referable to race considera-
tions, because both Sullivan and Corbett
are the children OF Irish born parents.