The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-10-03
GOVERNOR CULBERSON.

The New Orleans Picayune says:
"As was to have been expected, Gov
ernor Culberson of Texas has been
much criticised in some quarters for
his action in calling an extra session
of the State legislature for the pur-
pose of passing a law prohibiting prize
fights. Such action on his part was not
expected, and, as a result, it took the
advocates of the FitzsimmOns- Corbett
contest by surprise. Seeing the diff.
Guilty of withstanding the torrent of
public opinion which will naturally
flow in the direction of the governor,
they are trying to weaken the force OF
the blow death at them by abusing the
Texas executive and predicting the fail
ure of the special session.
There are many good people in
Texas and elsewhere who, while disap-
proving prize fighting, are yet willing
to wink at it, and there are others who
do not consider it of sufficient gravity
to warrant q special session of the
Legislature. These good people do not
realize the demoralizing influence these
so-called glove contests have upon a
community, nor do they understand
that indifference on their part is ac-
tually much the same thing as active
support of the prize ring, since, were
the pugilists dependent entirely on
their active supporters, and found all
who discountenance their avocation en-
ergetically leagued against them, there
would be. no possibility of securing a
battle ground in the United States.
"In calling an extra session of the
Texas legislature, Governor Culber-
son acted strictly within his privileges
| and he is entitled to the praise and sup
port of all good people in Texas. He
will undoubtedly have a majority in
| favor of passing an anti-prize fighting
| law in both houses of the legislature
but in order that such law can be
| made operative at once it must be passed
| by a two-thirds vote. 1t is this feature
| of the case that the advocates of prize
| fighting are basing their hopes of defeat
! ing the governor upon. If the proposed
special law is passed merely by a major
| ity, ninety days must elapse before the
act goes into effect. Such result would
| be a victory for the prize fighters, as
| the date of the brutal exhibition has
been fixed for October 80.
'"The Picayune confidently believes
| that the Texas legislature will pass
the special law by a practically unani.
nous vote. This certainly ought to
| be the response to Governor Culber-
| sons request. Did the law-abiding
people of Texas realize the true char,
acter of the exhibition they have in.
vited to take place within their States
| borders, they would peremptorily de-
| mand of their representatives in the
| legislature that they should vote in favor
of the proposed special law. The ex.
perience of New Orleans with the prize
ring was such as to enable our citizens
to fully appreciate the immense influence
for evil that it eXerts. During the time
that glove contests, so-called, were per
mitted to take place here the influence
| upon public morals was extremely bad
The exhibitions attracted to this city
large numbers of the worst characters
in the country, and a most unwholesome
influence was eXerted upon the youth
of the community.
"Profting by their own experience, the
people of this city can with justice adj
wise their Texas friends never to permit
the prize ring to secure a foothold in
| their State. Once established it is not
easily driven out; at least that was our
experience, and we believe it has also
been the experience of every other COM
munity in which the misnamed sport
has been permitted"