The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04

simmons can not make much money out
Of the theatrical business. He has never
! been good drawing card. although now
/ that he is the champion of the world in
two classes he would he able TO make
money on the road for year at least. Fitz-
simmons, II he wanted TO. could pick up
/ many bundles of soft money b. accepting
the Jackson. Mitchell, sullivan and God
dard Challenged.
"Dal" Hawkins victory over Martin Fla
herty In Carson has made the situation as
to who would. in the event OF Dixons re-
tirement. be entitled to DO featherweight
champion more complicated than ever in
the history of the ring Some time ago
Flaherty defeated Frank Erue in New
York and by reason of this decision Fla
hertys friends claimed for him the title OF
champion. Since George Dixon defeated
cal Mccarthy ia twenty-five rounds. in
Troy. In 1881. for the championship and
$1,000 side, the cologed boxer has been
deemed inylnclble; however, within the last
few months quite 4 number OF applicants
Tor the featherweight championship have
put IN an appearance, Frank Erue, Jack
Downey, Tommy White. Martin Flahcrty
and SoIly Smith being the most prominent
ones.
Dixon has gone through n rather severe
of great number OF sporting men that
he should resign before he loses his title.
There was very little question of DiNons
claim until be fought a twenty round draw
with Martin Flahorty last June. At the
time II was thought that il was more OF
a fuke for Flaherty than anything else.
After this battle came twenty round draw
between Tommy White and Dixon. and
shortly afterward Frank Erne won de-
c!sion over DIXON in twenty rounds, but II
was thought by great number OF people
who saw the last two contests that White
was more entitled 10 the decision over
Dixon than Erne was. White met Sully
Smith. and. although the latter was con-
sldered out Of his class, he got draw.
after which White and Billy Whistler OF
Philadephis. an unknown quantity. This
bout resulted IN draw. Dixon next faced
Jack Downey. the decision being a draw
Previous TO this Downey had fought three
draws with Erne. owing to Ernes deci-
sion over Dixon, his admirers called HIM
fcatherweight champion, but he received
the severest punishment OF his career and
lost the referees decision when he ran
against Martin Flaherty at the New York
Athletic club some few weeks ago. Dixon
however. is considered by majority OF
sporting men as the champion He has
fought more battles than any other fighter
that ever lived. and when he met and
he is stll capable OF putting up a strong,
stiff fight.
A subject which has disturbed a large
class OF Englishmen much more than the
crisis In the East is a decision OF the fun
court OF queens bench to the effect that a
betting ring at race track is "a place"
within the meaning OF the anti-gambling
law OF 1853
This IL really serious matter compared
with which such trifles as the blockade OF
Crete or the impending war between Greece
and Turkey are not to be considered
Nearly all the newspapers of England con-
denim the mnnstrous decision of the appeal
court, or rather the law which il has made
II means death blow to turf betting in
England, and as this is one OF tho most
sacred Institutions of this country, the
great popular uprising OF the past few
days Is by no means surprising 1t must
be admitted that the court had no choice
In the matter. Its decision was pronounced
by Sir Henry Hawkins. who is one of the
leading spirits Of the Ipo',ey club, and who
is often described as the sporting judge"
II would have been absurd. as he MINI
self reluctantly declared from he bench
10 rule thai a betting enclosure at a race
track was not "a place" but England is
speaking almost as with one voice In the
matter. Tho Pail Mall Gazette. in n pa
'lINAi'f S"Nl 7SilIi4nN itAutT on the subject,
points out the dreadful consequences OF
the courts action.
"Bookmakers and their clients" It SAYS
are To be deprived OF the guarantees i'm
Piled by deposits and acknowledgements and
are to be reduced to betting ON the nod
with all It's temptations TO Reputation and
evasion OF settlement
1T is the old story OF legislation at
tempting, and signally failing, TO regulate
morality. The law. as declared by the de-
cision, Is downright nonsense. II must, OF
course, be amended"
There is no doubt about the public re-
sponse 10 this appeal. England may be
indifferent To the slaughter OF = few lhou-
sand Arnenisns or TO the Smelling OF Chris
tian nuns by British ships but a grievance
such ms this last must and will be wiped
out Tho storm OF public protest Is so
great that II has frightened the ant-sam-
bling league which was the plaintiff in
the case which caused the decision. lis
secretary has fastened to avert the threat
tned doom OF himself and his associates
by writing TO tho Pail Mall Gazette that
tho editor lis quite mistaken In supposing
that any legal or legislative aim OF ours
has ever been to sweep away betting alto
gether All We ever dreamed OF attempt
ing was the suppressing of betting as a
trade to which nine-tenths OF the evils
OF betting are traceable."
There IL little DOUBT that some amend