The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-30

The boxing contest to be decided in
Music hall next Monday night between
Jim Judge, the local favorite, and
Mysterious Billy" Smith, of Boston,
the worlds weltcrweight champion,
caused quite stir in common council
last night. A resolution drafted by
President Moir was introduced by Mr.
Jackson, of the Thirteenth ward, di-
recting an inquiry into the legality of
the sport, but after q spirited bit of
procedure the resolution was sent to
oblivion. The members finally reached
the conclusion that the law was not
being violated and that councils had
no province in the matter.
Following was the resolution.
Whereas serious allegations have beer
made that prize fighting is practlced
without hindrance In this city, that reg
ular stakes are posted and fought tor
and the consequent sde-betting, the
same, If true. being detrimental to the
gooc morals of our city; therefore be 1t
Resolved, That this matter be referred
to our committee on vice and immortality
to inquire into the same and If the laws
are Systematically broken and evaded
that they report to this council the facts.
so that steps may be taken to enforce
the laws against prize fighting.
The introduction of the resolution
caused quite a commotion among the
members, particularly so in view of the
fact that many of them, including
President Moir, attend the bouts and
are prominent admirers of the manly
art. After the reading of the resolu-
tion several of the members were on
their feet. President Moir recognized
Mr.. Grier who offered a motion tc
table the measure. The motion was
lost by the following vote of Z to 10:
Ayes-Grier. Gilroy. Monohan, G. f.
Wenzel, Coleman, r. Morris, Cusick
Nays-M Morris. Zizleman. Il. j.. Wen.
zel, Wirth. jackson, Oliver Keller, Sheri.
dan, Norton, Moir
VIADUCT ORDINANCE.
Later in the session Mr. Sheridan
said he had voted under misinforma
tion in favor of sending the resolution
to committee. He moved for reconsid
| Grafton and was seconded by f. f
| Wenzel, also one of the number whC
had voted to refer. The motion pre-
vailed without a dissenting vote anC
Messrs. Walker and Coleman moved
that action on the resolution be in
! definitely postponed.
The reason for the change of senti
ment appeared in a statement made b,
President Moir. He said he had ap
proved the resolution for only the pur
pose of having it officially determine,
that councils had nothing to do in tn
| premises, as no city law was bein;
violated. He had heard, he said, tha
councils We're being taken to task fo
permitting glove contests. PERSONAL
he liked to see a good boxing bout
Those conducted by the America
Sporting club in Music Hall, he thought
were orderly and legitimate. He wa
not in favor of suppressng them: i
fact, he did not believe councils ha
any more business to interfere thaI
had any individual citizen and it wa
improbable that there was any groun
for interference by an individual, as h
could not see that even a state lay
was being violated.
Others expressed the same view an
when the motion to indefinitely post
pone action was finally put, it was can
ried unanimously.
Mr.. Keller's ordinance for repairin
the asphalt pavements passed thir
reading and is now before select cour
ell. Attached to the measure is a CON
munication from the city solicitor al
testing it's legality. The city solicitor
opinion was dated yesterday and wa
read last night, as follows:
have made careful examination {
ordinance file of common council, No. )
1928, providing for the annual and necc.
| Of CT
asphalt" and am OF the opinion it is
legal measure.
] will send you a communication at a
early date stating my reasons for III
conclusion.
ACTION RECONSIDERED.
Mr.. Oliver introduced another Yves
Iackawanna avenue viaduct resolutio
directing the mayor, city controller an
city engineer to secure options on tn
property on the south side of the ave
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