The sun., 1896-02-07

THET NAY FIGHT TODAY,
Talk or Maher and Fitzsimmons Meeting
Before tho President SIgns the Bin.

Before tho President sJigns the HiIi.
Ell PAso. Feb. 6.-The action Of Congress In
passing Delegate Catron's bill, preventing
prize hghting In the Territories has some
what dampened the ardor OF those connected
with the enterprise, yet it is probable
| that the star feature of the carnival will
be pulled or tomorrow morning before
President Cleveland aflixes his signature to tho
measure. That the passage of the bill by the
House had struck consternation to the mana
gers OF the carnival wns apparent this morning
when contractors for the platform were rushing
around hunting carpenters to complete their
part OF the work.
1t was soon learned that 1t had been decided
TO pull of the Maher- -Fitzsimmous fight to-
morrow morning before tho President signs the
bill. Julian and Stuart held protracted con-
sultation at which Fitzsimmons was an
attentive listener. Maher was telephoned at
Las Cruces. aud everything seemed to be agreed
upon. but when word came that the Senate had
taken the expected action and passed the bill
promptly 1t seemed to dampen their ardor.
1t appeared to the outsiders that Mnher had
become frightened lest the President should
sign the bill and 1t become law early to-
morrow as to make the fighters subject to tho
penalty. The Irish fighter has not yet come
in. Everything is activity tonight, and while
Stuart Is giving out that the programme
Will be carried out as advertised 1t Is plain that
he is not sure Of his ground. and that he be-
lieves the bill passed by Congress cuts off the
only sure locality where the fight could be pulled
of and the parlicipants escape with light fines.
1t IL reported that favorable teiesrams were
received from Mexico this afternoon. But those
opposing the fight are confident of their ground
that the battle will never take place on Mexican
soil. 1t is reported tonight that Fitzsimnons
has been notified that he could not train longer
in Mexico. The report comes from reliable
sources. and it Is thought the Australian will
have to hunt new quarters II further training is
necessary.
There seems to be an inside ring on prize fight
news, whereby only those in IL W ho will send out
news entirely favorable to prize fight manage
ment receive information. There is quito a
pie that the action OF stuart in publishing
TO the world that he had secured u battle ground
where there would be no interference partakes
largely of the nature of "bunco' game. FL
Pasocans have made big preparations to care
for the crowd. and II the fight falls through 1t
will hurt many of the best citizens.
The sports are loud in their dcnunciatiOn Of
the Ministcrs' Union. and are trying to incite
the people against the ministers. claiming that
II the fight Is not pulled Off here and FL Paso
loses the money thereby only the ministers arc
to blame.
They seem to lose sight Of the fact that Dan
Stuarts word that the fight could be pulled Off
In sight OF FL Paso backed with the word OF
FL Paso supporting the people. was the only
foundation they had on which to build their eY.
pectatioas.
A prominent sporting man was heard to- night
to say he believed the whole thing was off.
Word received from Las Cruces Tonight would
indicate that Muher is perfectly quiet.