Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-02
Members of the G. A. G. Who Want
to Stop 1t.
THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT CONTEST
A Decided Opposition to Exhibi.
tons of That Character.
WHAT is SAID ABOUT 1T

ment from the president of the club, Mr..
Charles Z. Coon. who speaks of The Stars
account as "a fake story" and "malic-
ious invention" According to Mr.. Coon,
the smuggling contests were"pronounced very
tame, as compared with the usual more
warmly contested amateur bouts our city
has been accustomed to-" Other members
of the club. when spoken to by Star report
ers, agreed with Mr.. Coon to the extent Of
saying the Wednesday night exhibition was
tame compared with some that have pre-
coded it in the same clubhouse
There is evidently feeling among many
members of the club against a continuance
or exhibitions like that of Wednesday night,
and which can hardly be classed under the
feeling is SO pronounced that prominent
members declared today that there never
would be another such exhibition given
there. The Columbia Athletic Club numbers
many good citizens, who have been inter-
ested In athletics. For long time sparring
exhibitions Were given by members of the
club which could not be criticised as having
any element Of brutality in them. From
ing professionals and providing regular
knock OUT fights for the delectation of its
members and those of the public who paid
the admission price. This has come about
SO gradually that 1t seems members of the
club have hardly realized ii themselves, and
the account of Wednesdays fights printed in
The Star and which The Star would will
ingly retract for the credit of the city and
of the club If 1t could truthfully do so, came
to them as a shock.
The result. 1t Is said. will be to put "A
check on such exhibitions at the club. The
Columbia Club always has been looked I'd
to by other athletic clubs in the city as the
organizatio to take the lead in movements
intended to promote athletics, and its men,
bers, as a rule, realize the responsibility
their position as leaders imposes upon
them. So one result of the publicity given
to the character of these contests will prob
ably be a change of policy and condemna-
ton Of exhibitions of a character that cam
not be classed as honest and healthy"
athletics.
When Sullivan Was Objectionable.
The discussion over Wednesday nights
contests has recalled the controversy that
took place in the club soon after its new
building was completed, over a proposition
TO have John L. Sullivan give an exhibition
in the gymnasium. special meeting of
the club was called and many warm speech
es were made. The meeting was a pro-
tracted one, and when at length the ques-
ton was put to a vote. there was an over
whelming majority aginst the proposition.
The club at that time, or a majority of the
club, lid not want any prize fighters about
There seems to have been A change OF sem
timent since then. In the exhibitions We'd
nesday night. as in contests that have pre-
coded ii. man recognized as professional
pugiiists took part and fought for the money
offered.
1t may be that the opponents of such en-
hfbtions may, unfortunately, find them
selves in the minority IN the club, but il
was learned today that an effort will at
once be made to prevent hereafter such
affairs occurred at the club Wednesday
evening. and which have excited me dis
gust not only of the community at large
but also. 1t is claimed. of majority Of tie
members of the club.
What President Coon Has Said,
1t is understood that such contests as
took place at the club night before last
have from the very first been deplored by
no small number Of the members Of the or
ganization as detrimental to the best in
terests OF the club. and IL is also stated
that no less parsonage than the president
OF the club, Mr.. Coon, considered the SUBJ
ject Of such importance as to merit more
than passing reference in his annual re-
port made to the club by him last month.
IN ms report: SO 1t is stated. President
Coon, after calling attention to the financial
Dement'S resulting 10 the club through the
giving or sucn pugiiistic contests. stated in
substance. that it would be well for the club
to consider whether the disadvantages aris-
Ing from the giving by the club of spar-ing
contests would not more than offset all the
temporary financial benefits which might
accrue to the club. Since the making of
this report, ii is said, the suggestion made
by President Coon has been given considera-
ton by not a few OF the members OF the
club. with the result, IT is explained. that
quite decided opposition to future exhibit
tons of the kind has been manifested; al
though. II is said. the opposition has not
yet officially communicated it's sentiments
to the club management. 1t is understood.
however, that the exhibition of Wednesday
evening, and the publicity given il through
The Star. have intensified the opposition to
the matter, and the opponents OF such af-
fairs. 1t Is believed. are now sufficiently
na1 l,r 70 h..;,-
The Comments of "a Club Member.
The sparring contests at the G. \. c.
"Wednesday night were the tamest that We
have had for some ti,ne," said well-known
and prominent member of the club to a
Star reporter today. The only criticism
made by the spectators. that l heard WAS
that they We're not stiff enough"
The speaker has been actively Identified
with the c. \. G. since its beginning and
has always taken great interest in ath-
letics OF all kinds.
DO YOU think such exhibitions are good
FOR the club OF The community" asked The
Star man
We'll. I'll tell you. / don't know about
TIE community. but l don't think they are
good for the club. You know 1 wouldn't
Miss a sparrng exhibition for anything 1
like TO see them. and like to see them
when they are hot. the hotter the better
But. just the same. II the question came
before the board Of governors, would vote
against holding then?'
You like to see tnem?''
Cert. told you L wouldn't miss one for
my dinner
Then why oppose them?'
oh, we'll l don't think il does any good
to have them. There is no use talking. L
am satisfied that the club will never have
another sparring exhibition i'm which the
contestants are men who make business
or sparring. or fighting, or whatever you
may call it,
IL is generally understood that when the
Change of officers occurs this month there
VIII be a change of exhibitions.
Nv i'll there be eXhibitons?" asked The
Star man.
Well. there is NJ use trying to draw The
line between the professional and the anna
choor. The professional fights for a purse
with which he can buy his meals and his
cigars and his whisky. while the 'amachoor'
fights for purse which is supposed to be
used In purchasing a medal for the winner
arter the winner gets the money The only
real difference is that the .amachoor' lights
three rounds and TIE professional six
They both fight for a living Now I am
satisfied that hereafter the Z. A. G. attn
ietic exhibitions will include sparring
matches by amateurs only, men who will
spar for points, for the love of the exercise.
AS to the brutality OF the last exhibi-
ton, he continued, Il don't care ANYTHING
for that. The men We're paid for hammer
ing each other. l would hate to see real
amateurs fight for blood though. While
like personally to see the fights. which
by the way. are such as are given by every
athletic club in the country still / don'r
no ny .ff