New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-24
PRIZE FIGHTS WERE ALLOWED
THE POLICE WITNESSED THEM IN The
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN.


OF THE LAw-IGNoRANCE OF JUDGE
BNRRETT's wELLKNowN DECISION.
The disgrace of public prize fighting was
fastened on this city Tuesday night at the Madi-
son Square Garden in the presence OF nunper
of policemen. The law on the subject is eAplicit'
vet the authorities allowed two contests which
were prize fights in real brutal earnest. Inc
main match. between Plimmer and Dixon. was
n sparring exhibition and neither man was hurt.
But in two other instances pugilists were knocked
unconscious.
Tho managers Of the affair, who are subject to
Indictment, doubtless thought that the minor
contests would he lost sight Of in the interest III
the Plimmer- Dixon match. When chuck oon-
nOrs and Billy" Welsh kicked one another, the
police stepped in and made them quit. Two
fights ended in regular "knock-outs." All the
reports in the newspapers were agreed on this
point.
AS usual when a clear case OF wilfnl neglect
or pcrvcrson OF duty has been made ont against
them, the police officials displayed bland, in
fantilc. most refreshing ingcnuousness. Strangely
enough only of the officers practised in the
administration Of justice over period OF from
fifteen to twcnty-f years had ever heard of
this historical decision by Judge Barrett that a
meaning of the statute The exception was Com
missioner MacLean. This accomplished lawyer, Of
course, remembered the test case but had not yet
had time to examine the circumstances corfhected
with the violation OF the law in Madison Square
Garden. But he seemed delighted that the matter
had been brought before him, and earnestly en-
pressed his intention to make an inquiry into the
case at the earliest possible moment.
Commissioners McCilave also had not read the
reports in the morning papers, but simply said !:
:" If there had been any violation of the law, the
police captain in charge would no doubt have
taken measures TO stop the exhibition and punish
the offenders
President James J. Martin loves sport in all
shapes, and when Tribune man asked, "Were
you at the boxing show last night?' he promptly
answered Yes"
Then you are aware that Con- Rordan and
joe Walcott knocked out their men in direct
violation of the law which forbids prize fighting
i'll this State?"
II did not see any knockout in those.twO cases.
The men did not respond to the call, and after
a moment got up and walked away none the
worse"
You are aware that the men thus knocked
down were counted out, under Queensberry rules
by the timers and that this is technically knock
out, and violation of the law? Judge Bar
rctts decision in the case of John l.. Sullivan
is clear to that"
We'll. I've nothing to say about it now," said
SIR Martin. Judge l}arretts decision Is in evi-
dencc, and will examine it,"
Inspector McAvoy. who with Captain O'ConnOr
was in command of the police detailed to duty
in the Garden on Tuesday night, fatty denied
that there had been knockout" in either of
fhc-,. two cases named
But the ten stories written by ten experienced
men and published this morning agree in saying
that two men were knocked out-counted out
under Qucensbcrry rules said the reporter.
Il don't know whether these men were counted
out or not; | am no expert on these points, re-
Piled Inspector McAvOy. When, as IN the case
of the farce show | saw any sign of slugging, l
ordered Captiin O'Connor TO stop it, and it was
stopped | repeat that there was no Knockout.
Captain Richard OConnor, commander Of the
Nineteenth Precinct, was equally foggy regarding
fine law ON the subject When the case Of Rordan
and Walcott had been fully explained TO him, he
at first preferred to say nothing in reply. Il
cannot say that there was anything like Il knock
out he remarked at last.
lIut the beaten mcn-Coughln and Hall
were unable 10 continue the fight and were counted
out ly the timers =
Yes, rcpllru tne captain, Dut ti"ic was ho
intention 10 knock them out. The blow on the
right point of the jaw was purely accidental.
I'm. thing was over before we could stop it, The
men were boxing for points, and so far as could
see there was no slugging or any attempt at
brutality.
Admitting that the blow was accidental, would
not tn, tnct that knock out had been ad-
mni>tcrcl ohlise you IN law to stop the eN-
The whole cxhbition?' exclaimed the cap
tain. Scarcely
Supposc tnat either of these men had recov
cred ms legs before the time limit had EXPIRED
and being entitled by the rules of boxing to g on,
had tte1 to continue the bout-wouli you have
prevented him from doing so?'
Certainly ! should"
Acting Superintendent Conn LETT Police Heal
auai,t,r, soon after noon yesterday, and did not
return during the day.
DstrctAttorrcy De Lanccy Nicol was not in
the city yesterday, Vernon VI. DAVIS, his assist
ant acting in his place. Mr. Davis said that the
Penal Code was extremely explicit OH the iegality
of r,i7c n4htine section NO. ijs declared it e.
be- n msdemcanor 20 engage in any contest of
the kind. The statutes provided further that II
was equally a crime TO be concerned in such an
affair in any way. Mr. Davis went on; -,
There il 10 doubt that prlZc ightinc l. illegal
The only question IL whether the contests ar the
Madison Square Garden came within the Jaw
There are certainly exhibitions of sparring which
are lawful. This office depends on the police Tor
information as TO the nature OF pnsilistic enter
anmcnt. II the bouts are prize fights and there
fore contrary TO law, the police know it. These
affairs at tho Madison Square Garden We're advcr
tiscd and the police were there 10 see that the
statutes were not violated. They did not stop the
exhibition or make any arrests, so we take it for
granted that they saw nothing wrong.
The District Attorneys Office must rely on
the police for information as ~ whether a crime
has been committed in such cases. 1t is inst so
with the utterances at the meetings on the East
SIDE II ANYTHING illegal Is said we are ready
to act bnt we must depend on the police for the
evidence