The San Francisco call., 1896-02-18
Blows and BloodShed Narrowly
Averted at a Postpone
ment Conference.
MAHER's EYES MUCH BETTER
An Additional Forfeit Put Up 10 Pull
Off the Main Battle on
Friday.

Ell PASO, TEX, Feb. 1.-THE pugilistic
atmosphere is clearer tonight than it has
been at any time since the carnival pro-
gramme was broken by the development
on Thursday afternoon that Peter Maher
was prevented by physical disability from
fulfilling his part of the contract, With
the minor fights abandoned and the rapid
progress toward complete recovery of the
1rlshman's eye troubles, there is a general
confidence that the outcome of the con-
ference to-day, at which Fitzsimmons was
whipped into line after he had broken
through the traces and declared that, so
lar as he was concerned, the match was
on for good and all time, will be ratified
by the appearance of the men in the ropes
early on the morning of the Dist inst.
That the backers of Maher are sure of
their ground was made evident by the
avidity with which they FASTENED TO put
up the additional $1,000 forfeit money that
was a condition of JuIian's pledge to have
his man on hand upon the revised date.
There are reasons for believing, moreover,
that in view of the change in the situation
the hostility of the authorities may be
moderated to at least the extent that the
fighting party. provided that from now on
the managers quit their bullying and their
defiant talk, may not have to take chances
OF being hunted like q band OF criminals
On the way TO the contest. The ministers,
at least, are satisfied both with the situa-
ton and the outlook. One of the foremost
div1nes responsible for the Catron bill said
10 The United Press representative to-
night:
we have nothing more to say or to do.
crowd The sports have gone and our city
has resumed its normal condition of peace
and quiet. So far as l understand the
arrangement to-day provides for a bring
Ing off OF but one feature of the old pro-
gramme, and this in private; that is,
private as compared with the original
plans. We feel, therefore, that our atti-
tude has been vindicated, and that the
matter, as it stands, is not of a nature to
demand our continued atten ton.
1t is understood that Governor Ahumada
incines toward a similar view.
The battle-ground is as much of mys-
terry to all but the promoters as ever
When the point was pressed by Connolly
in the conference to-day Stuart replied,
"The ground and the ring are ready"
Julian and Quinn will be notified on Thurs
day morning, but the ticket-holders will
have no further intimation than to report
at a railway station at a definite hour.
With the view of throwing the officers off
guard, the rendezvous will be at station
off a line other than that to be used, and
the train will be doubled around the belt
line and switched On to the tracks leading
to the ringside.
The parties to the conference were slow
in getting together this morning. 1t had
been set for 10 o'clock, but at that hour no
one in authority was on deck, although the
headquarters were crowded with members
of the local committee and the remnant of
visitors that remained. Buck Connolly
put in an appearance at 10 80 with draft
of the new articles in behalf of Maher, cali
ing for fight between 10 and on Friday
next Julian strolled in fifteen minutes
later, Just as Connolly was receiving a tel
ephone message from Maher, asking if he
should take the morning train down from
Las Cruces. Connolly advised him that
his presence was not necessary.
When Fitzsimmons put in an appear
ance, it looked as though everything was
ready for a settlem ent, but Connolly had
barely made his proposition for an ad-
iournment to a private room, the men,
bers of the Florida Club and the corre-
spondents to be the only persons ad-
mitted, when Stuart was called over to Sid
Ryan's to adjust some personal money af-
fairs. Connelly's final proposition was
that he will put up an extra forfeit of
$1,000 to protect Dan Stuart, Maher to be in
the ring on Friday. If he fails, Fitzsim-
mons and Stuart each are to take their
$1,000, and the articles cancelled.
When Stuart returned FitZsimmons
took the bit in his own mouth and de-
clared that he would not fight. The in
terchange of opinions, which at times was
decidedly warm, lasted twenty minutes.
Julian led by asking Connolly if his man
was here and ready to fight, and received
a reply in the negative. Then the Pitts
burg man made his proposition for the
hosting of an extra forfeit and fight on
Friday. Julian responded that time
enough had been given and he now claimed
the forfeit. 1t was a strange thing, he
said. that Connolly would know to-day
when Maher could get into the ring and
insist that he could not do so an hour later.
Connolly called attention to the fact that
their twenty-four hours notice OF the bat
tle-ground had been guaranteed, and that
II l4Q not DGeD gwen, " "llANA- O1N@A" SeIi1
that the ground was ready.
$50 is Fitzsimmons ready" said Julian.
Eyes, am ready" repeated the Aus
tralian. breaking silence for the first time.
From this on the war of words waged
thick and fast. Connolly said that If
forced he would go into the ring to-mor-
row, but to save the forfeit and not to
fight.
Finally Connolly said: 81 will have my
man in the ring as soon as l am notlhed.
/ now demand my twenty-four hours
notice of location of the battle-ground.
Stuart kept silent, and after pause
Fitzsimmons drew himself up and
shouted: Your man is not in condition
10 fight. He is another stiff like Corbett
You are putting up bluff"
Not much" responded Connolly
quietly. "Maher is not afraid to meet
You in the ring or anywhere else"
You want to crawl out" suggested
Julian.