The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-18
.MAHER WANTS A FIGHT
While the Ruddy Headed Cornishman Shows
a Disposition To WrlggIe Out Of II.
SHOWS AN uASpoRTSMANlIKE SPIRIT.
Aaher's First Forfeit Goes n Glfmmer-
tns-HIis Managers Immediately
Put UP Another-The Smaller
Events Not To Ise Pulled OR-The
Ministers Rest On Their Oars.

El Paso. Tex, Feb. 1.-THE fight at
mosphere Is clearer than 1t has been at
any time since the carnival programme
was broken into smithereens by the de-
Nelopment on Thursday afternoon that
Peter Maher was prevented by physical
disability from fulfilling his part of the
contract. With the minor fights abau-
doned and the rapid progress toward the
complete recovery of the frishman's eye
trouble. there is general belief that
the outcome of the conference at which
Fitzsimmons was whippd into line after
ne had broken through the traces and
had declared that so far as he was con-
cerned the match was off for good, will
be ratified by the appearance OF the men
within the ropes early on the morning
OF the 2lst.
That the hackers of NIaher are sure
or their ground was made evident by
the avidity with which they hastened up
the additional thousand forfeit that was
condition of Julans agreement.
The ministers al least are satisfied
ooth with the situation and the outlook
one or the foremost divines. responsible
for the Cntron bill, said tonight:
we have nothing more to say or do
Ihere is no longer any carnival or any
crowd. The sports have gone and our
city has resumed its normal condition
OF peace and quiet. So far as l under
STOOD the arrangements made to-day ii
provides for 4 bringing off of but one
in private That is private as compared
with the original plans. We feel. there
fore. that our attitude has been vindi-
Gated and that the matter as it stands is
not of n nature TO demand oud continued
attention"
1t Is understood that Gov. Ahumada
inclines toward n similar view. 1t was
necessity rather than choice that com
PEELED the Cornishman'H manager to ac-
cept the proposition from the Alaher
"a nrjn wifi \, tn-
ward the spectaculur.retireda d announcing
that the fight was on when a jury Sc
lected by his opponent was composed
almost entirely of his own friends. de-
cided that he was, not entitled to the
forfeit money. Julian found himself
completely whp-sawed and was glad to
fall back as a last resort upon the pro-
position that few minutes before Fitz-
simmons had spurned with oaths and
denunciatio
The fact Is understood 10 be that the
combination is in a tighter place fnan-
cially than it was at the time OF the
Hot Springs ana Little Rock complica-
tions. and that If F'it2simmons had been
taken at his word ana the fight de-
clared off without a forfeit. Julian
would have been Al his wits ends TO get
his party into New York. where It has
an engagement about two weeks hence
II was this extremity that induced him
to fight 10 the las, ditch for the handing
over Of Naher's forfeit as a condition
precedent to the consideration Of the
proposal for fight Friday. Repulsed
however. on every hand. there was but
one alternative TO finding himself
stranded. and that was to let his man
Try Tor the ten thousand dollars in the
purse on the date named by the ether
side and the certainty that il for any
cause whatever Maher was again un-
able 10 enter the ring there would be
S2,ouu with which 10 tide over the pres
ent difficulties. Each member of the
Committee of Five was pledged 10 Sc
crecy concerning the facts upon which
II based Its verdict, but 1t is known
Dan stuart submitted proof net only
that Julian had verbally consented to
certain changes in the articles OF agree
ment, but that he had also been guilty
OF specific breaches of more than on,
clause OF the document, and by reason
OF which he was debarred both legally
and under the code of the ring from
seeking relief in the shape OF forfeit
money. In the light Of this the five
men mad no difficulty in reaching a con-
clusion.
The parties to the conference wore
slow to get together this morning. Buck
Connolly, at 1890, with Il draft of nryv
articles In behalf of Maher calling for
fight between 10 and on Friday next
Julian strolled in fifteen minutes later
just as Connolly was receiving a te,n
should take the train down frcsn Las
Cruces. The physician who followed
Peter on the wire, strongly advised
against coming out to-day in View OF the
extreme glare of the sun. and Connolly
advised him that his presence was not
necessary, and that he had better keep
10 quarters. The conference" was de-
cidedly warm. Connolly made his pro-
position of an extra forfeit and Il igh,
ON Friday. Juian's response was a
claim of forfeit. Connolly said if forced
TO do so he would go into the ring to-
morrow. but only to save forfeit. not to
fight. Julian insisted on his point and
Connolly demanded the stipulatc TWEEN
ty-four hours notice OF location OF the
battle ground.
Fttzsimmons became abusive and
said Maher wanted to crawl. and then
returning to the throng on the other
side OF the railing he yelled louder than
ever This fight off. gentlemen
won't fight. They never Intended 10
light In the first place Now. boys, 7
give notice. that I'll fight that big stiff
Corbett at any time" And with this the
pugilist stalkcd through the office door
way and pushed his way around the
ccNwd TO the street. Somebody shca,t-
ed, ''Three cheers for Ekzs!mmons.