The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-03-11

Carson. New, March 1O.-The most
delicate subject in connection with the
big fight was broached today, when
Referee George Siler submitted to Cor
bett and Fitzsimmons his interpreta-
tion of the Queensbury rules.
Siler's communication, which was in
the nature of a formal letter, was not
received with manifestations of joy at
either camp.
The big fellows read their letters
thoughtfully and reserved judgment.
If Si!er had any doubts as to the
propriety Of his action in outlining his
views at this time. they must be dis
sipated now. The fighters could never
have agreed upon the rules after enter
ing the ring. Each man appears to
be playing possum just now, and wait
ing for the other to commit himself. 1t
is not unwise, however. TO predict that
a conference between Siler, Stuart and
the representatives of the principals
Will be necessary before the matter of
rules is finally settled.
THE LETTER.
Mr.. Siler's letter, which was handed
to the pugilists shortly after noon, read
as follows:
Carson City, New, March 10.
James ]. Corbett, Esq, and Robert
Fitzsimmons, Esq, Carson City,
New.
.Gentlemen-Herewith hand
you each the rules of the MARQUIS
of QueenSbury, under the provisions
of which you are to contest tor the
heavyweight championship of the
world in this city on March II, 1897.
Accompanying the rules, I hand you
some suggestions and instructions.
These are based upon careful study,
research, equity and fairness. You
are PRINCIPALS to what will be the
greatest contest of modern times.
You have both trained carefully and
assiduOusly. The principals and
public are alike engroSsed to an ex-
tent never before made manifest in
a like encounter. While it is a de-
parture to issue instructions to the
combatantS in a battle like this a
week il advance of the meeting, 1
think that the importance of the af-
fair fully warrants this move.
am confident that you both want TO
win solely and wholly on your mer-
it's. Neither of you can afford to
have the slightest suspicion of doubt
cloud the title which will belong to
the victor. To that end, herewith
hand you the rules and certain in
terpretatiOnS under which you are
to battle:
Rule Ito be a fair. stand-up
bOXin-- match in a 24-foot ring, or
as near that size as practicable.
Rule 2-No wrestling or hugging
allowed.
Rule S-The rounds to be of
three-minutes' duration, and one
minute time between rounds.
Rule If either man fall
through weakness or otherwise, ne
must get up unassisted, ten seconds
to be allowed him to do so; the
other man meanwhile to return to
his corner. and when the fallen
man is on his legs the round is to
be resumed and continued until the
three minutes have expired. If one
man fails to come to the scratch in
the ten seconds allowed, it shall be
in the power of the referee to give
his award in favor of the other
man.
Rule "A man hanging on the
ropes in a helpless state. with his
toes off the ground, shall be con-
sidered down.
Rule 6-No seconds or any other
person to be allowed in the ring
during the rounds.
Rule Should the contest be
stopped by anz unavoidable inter
ference, the referee to name time
and place, as soon as possible. for
finishing the contest, so that the
match must be won and lost, un-
less the hackers of both men agree
to draw the stakes.
Rule S-The gloves to be fair
sized boxing gloves of the best
quality, and new.
Rule 9-Should a glove burst or
come off, it must be replaced to the
referees satisfaction.
Rule 10-A man on one knee is
considered down. and il struck is
entitled to the stakes.
Rule 11-No shoes or boots with
springs allowed.
Rule 12-The contest in all other
respects to be governed by the re-
vised rules OF the London prize
ring.
.4The first three rules need no
comment, as they are plain, simple
and understood by almost every
body.
Rule four. however, requires
some analysis, as some of the points
are often misconstrued.
The rule says: If either man
fall through weakness or otherwise,
he must get up, unassisted, ten sec
onds to be allowed him to do so,
the other man, meanwhile, to re-
turn to his corner.
This, of course, was intended to
prevent a man from standing over
his fallen opponent. 1t probably
never occurred TO the framer of the
rules that at times a man either
falls or is knocked down in his op-
ponent's corner. If, then, the man
on his feet retires to his corner, as
the rules direct, he will be stand
ing over his fallen opponent, and
doing just what the rules mean he
shall not do.
ITO avoid all disputes on this
score, 1 viii simply instruct you in
case of a knock-COwn to retire at
least ten feet from your fallen op-