Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-12
REFEREE slLER.s RULES.
Interpretation Of Laws Which Will Govern TIL
Big Prize Fight.

| Carson, New, March 11.-After weeks
of wrangling, Referee Siler yester-
day took the pull by the horns, and sent
to Fitxsimnons and Corbett his inter-
probation of the Marquis OF Queensperry
rules. Neither Corbett or Fitzsimmohs
received the communication with any
great manifestation of joy.
Siler's letter to the two principals In
the big fight Is as follows:
Carson City. New. March 10. 1897
James ]. COrbett. Esq.
Robert fitzsimmons, Esq.
Gentlemen:-Herewit ! hand you
each the rules OF the Marquis OF queens
berry, under the provisions OF when
| You are to contest for the heavyweight
championship of the world, in this city,
on March II. 1897.
Accompanying the rules. l hand yol
some suggestions and instructions.
These are based on careful study, re-
search. equity and fairness. You are
the principals to what will be the great
lest contest of modern times. you nave
both trained faithfully and assiduousiy.
The principals. and the public, are alike
eHCrossed to an extent never beIofe
made manifest in a like encounter.
While it is a departure to issue IN
tile like this, a week in advance OF the
meeting. ] think the Importance or the
affair fully warrants this move.
| 1 am confident that you both want TO
! win. solely and wholly on your merlts.
Neither of you can afford to nave the
slightest suspicion of doubt cloud the
little which will belong to the victor.
To that end i herewith hand you the
Irules and certain interpretations unoer
which you are to battle.
A copy of the Marquis of Queensberry
rules was sent with the letter. which
rontinues as follows:
The first three rules need no comment.
as they are plain, simple and under
stood by almost everybody. Ruie 4.
however. requires some analysis, as
some OF the points are often miscon-
nrued. The rule says:
IF either man falls. through weak
lcss or otherwise. he must get up, un-
| INSISTED. 10 seconds to be allowed to do
| So the other man, meanwhile, TO return
| q his corner
| This of course was intended to pre-
tent a man from standing over his fallen
| opponent: it probably never occurred to
The Trainer of the rules that. at times. 4
,nan either falls or is knocked down in
lis opponents corner. If. then, the man
IN his feet retires to his corner, as the
| GltS ulTctN, Ilc VIII UC ONCI ulS
| allen opponent, and doing just what
he rules mean he shall not do.
| To avoid sll disputes on this score. l
will simply instruct you. in case OF a
| <nockdoWn. to retire at least 10 feet
rom your fallen opponent. to give him
III opportunity to rise.
| Rule II, which says: THE contest in
II other respects to be governed by
| he revised rules of the London prize
| .inpr - u rpnSi6pr IF fha i'm.
| )ortant of the l. rules, and appears to he
he bone of contention in almost every
| contest. 1t has been the custom of
| 'eterees, myself among them. to inquire
| II the principals whether they chose
o hit in ciinches. with one arm free. and
, also on breakaways. Invariably the
Principals agree not to hit in clinches
n on breakaways. but they generally
| 'ofeet all about their agreement, AMI
ceduentIy violate it.
| This. then. causes not only the seconds
nut the spectators to cry "four' every
time a blow is delivered in clinch, or on
| 4 breakaway and causes much trouble
and argument. IT also makes the
duties of referee arduous and disagree
able. and keeps him continually in hot
water. Furthermore. 1t gives the ref
cree an opportunity to determine
contest on technical foul. which is
generally unsatisfactory to everybody
concerned. Neither Of you. am sure
desire to. win the coming contest on a
technicality. and to avoid any such con-
tfngency. through hitting in clinches
with free arm, and in breakaways,
Will rule that you be permitted to hit in
ciinches. with one arm free. and also
in breakaways. With this interpre-
tation. this rule Is announced a week be-
fore the contest You will both have
ample time to practice these important
points. and will have no cause for com
plant, should either Of you be caught
off his guard. Pivot blows, missing
with either hand. and whipping back
with the elbow. meeting an opponent
with. or deliberately striking him with
| the elbow, on knees, are barred. and will
re considered foul. Should any of the
above blows have any material effect on
the result of the contest, l shall use nv
judgment accordingly
Should any of the seconds Of either Of
the principals enter the ring during a
round to render any assistance to the
| nghtfrs, or to prevent them from COM
| hitting foul, or to throw water uDon
them. 1t shall be considered foul.
CoaclDlg by the seconds during the
round is Objectionable to everybody. and
Is apt to create discord and argument
Both of you have undoubtedly manned
out your plans Of attack and defense.
and need no advice from your respective
| seconds. The latter WILL therefore. re-
fratn from any comment during the con-
test. Trivial fouls may he uninten-
tionally committed by either of you.
which. unless they have a direct bearing
on the result, will be overlooked by me
at my discretion. This, l believe. COW
ers all important points. Both of YOU
are thoroughly familiar with the Mar
quis OF Queensberry rules, not touched
upon by me, and I hope to see you both
live strictly up to them.
| With fair field, no favors, no pre-
| il0lces. I remain.
| Yours very truly,
| Geo. Siler,
| Referee