The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-06-11
FIGHTERS DISCHARGED
MACisTRA SAID THEY HAD
nRoISEN No LAW.
but There Was No Way &"
Punish Them.

New York. June 10 Potter Muher and
Tom sharkcy, the heavyweight pugllimie
who were arrested last might during their
fight at the Palace Athletic club. woro
discharged by Magistrate Cornell in the
Harlem police court today The magistrate
admitted that tho conduct of the men In
the seventh round might have been dis
orderly, and said he was glad they had
been locked up. but that nevertheless. as
far ms he could sec, there had been no
violation OF the Horton law.
The first TO arrive In court was tho
Mahcr party The crowd In tho front OF
the court greeted Maher with n cheer
soon after Shnrkcy and HIS friends APP
peercd They received Il reception similar
to that of Mahor. The two pugilists did
not seem To pay much attention TO one
mother There was, however not tho
slightest evidence Of III feeling.
Inspector Mclaughlin sald he believed
the law was violated by the men laat night
in his testimony. There was smuggling ana
knocking down and he believed II his duty
To stop them.
Magistrate Cornell intorjeoted that n
good many things happened at perform
ance of that kind that would not look
wel at 3 O'Clock tea.
The inspector insisted that there was
sluEging brutal pounding aud knocking
down. II that did not conSutute prize
night he did not know what did
Magistrate Cornell stated that he had
read the account OF the iight and while he
believed the inspector was perfectly right
Ia separating and arrosting The men. he
did not think they could strictly be- held for
taking part IN a prize fight.
Counsel for Sharkey claimed that there
was no violation 10 far as The sparrins
contest went and there would have been
none to the end.
Counsel for Maler remarked that as
semblyman Horton WIS at tho contest laat
night aud no said the contest was per
fectly legal up to the seventh round Tho
Inspector said that he went 10 the dress
ing rooms OF the mon before they entered
the ring aud read the law To them aud
told them that there must be no slugging,
Here Magistrate Cornell interposod Il
think you did right, lnasmuch az The men
were dlsofderly, but YOU must understand
that they received much encouragement.
The public had apparently expressed great
Interest In what they were about to do.
They were very much Interested them
selves. They are big powerful men and
presumably high tempered II In not TO be
wondered at II they lost their heads. on
that ground an arrest was warranted, II
they acted disorderly. am glad they were
they been forced to stay in Jail all night.
but VIII not entertain a complaint OF
prize lighting against them. l think they
are within the law"
Turning to Maher and Sharkey, who
stood before him. Magistrate Cornell aaid:
'Maber and Shorkey. You are discharged. "
Then there was quick clearing out of
the court and crowd OF admirers es-
c0rted the pugilists TO the Third avenue
cable cars. It was noticed that az far as
the appearances Of the men went there had
been no smuggling. One OF Makers eyes was
somewhat bloOiEhot, but hin friends said
that was constitutional anictlon. There
was lI,tle scratch behind Sharkey's left
ear. but that his seconds said, was there
week ago.
Mayor strong's hand was probably seen
In the action Of the police stopping the
fight In the Palace Athletic club tonight.
II am opposed To the Horton law" he
said this morning, "and gave orders to
Chief Conlin 10 see that there was no
prize fighting permitted. know II is hard
at times TO distinguish between scientific
sparring and prize fighting, but | believe
the police exercised good Judgment"