New-York tribune., 1899-06-09
THE FIGHT AND THE LAW.

T. ,s renorted on authority which II would be
rash to dispute that, owing to the thougntiui
and earnest representations OF statesman
whose importance considerably exceeds that OF
q Chief of Police. Mr.. Devery has finally con-
cluded that Fitzsimmons and Jehries nave no
intention OF violating the Horton law, ana con-
seouently that he is under no obligation 10 III
trude upon the meeting arranged for this even
,no between those illustrious opponents or pugi-
lstc science.
This report has, as we have intimated. every
appearance of authenticity, but beyond that II
finds incidental support in the fact that the
Horton law is remarkably hard law to violate
That part of It which authorizes such encoun-
ters as the one to which all the blackguards IN
the United States and great many respectable
citizens are looking forward with eager interest
contains only two restrictions. They must be
held by an incorporated association in build
ing owned by It or leased for not less than
year. and the combatants must wear gloves
ve,gbinp not less than five ounces. The num-
Der of rounds is not limited nor does the statute
attempt to put the slightest check on brutality
or swindling. Practically, no doubt, the police
having full power to preserve the peace AND ex-
ercising large influence over the criminal and
sions. can do about as they please: but the law,
so far from putting any particular constraint on
their discretion. expressly invites them to regard
whatever is done in Its name with extreme
benevOence
The thousands who are intending to witness
to-night's combat are therefore tustihed IN ex-
pecting that IT will be fought to finish, ana
that II the better man does not win 1t Will be
because arrangements satisfactory to principals
and hackers have been made in advance to let
the other man get the decision. That, I'D TACT, Is
the only risk that spectators are likely to run.
They may be swindled, but even so they VIII
probably see a pretty lively fight and feel that
they have got good deal for their money. None
of the dear and familiar elements and surround
ings of the prize-ring will be found wanting
The atmosphere and the company will be per-
fectly congenial and indulgence in brutal pas
sions and filthy procliviies will be unconfned.
II prize-fightng is q good thing, the Horton
law which protects and fosters 1t Is highly
meritorous statute. If. on the other hand, as
great many reputable persons think and great
many more pretend to think, the prize-rng is
degraded and demoralizng institution which
ought 10 be abolished, In fact as well as In
name, the law needs to be repealed or amended
out of recognition. In either case so long as 1t
remains in force, the people of the State of New
York should at least have the decency to re
frain from expressions of contempt for the Leg
islatures and inhabitants Of other States IN
which there is no legal assumption OF superior
virtue These so-called sparring contests are
prize-fghts, as everybody knows. They are In
no respect less Objectionable than the combats
of old times which frankly bore the name that
properly described them They are not less
fierce and dangerous, but probably more so, for
the fve-ounce gloves add weight to the fists they
cover aud make the impact Of blow heavier.
They are more commonly and audacously
fraudulent than the ancient prize-fghts were,
and there is absolutely nothing about them
which tends to raise the practice OF pugilism to
a higher plane. In fact, there is good reason to
declare that their tendency Is altogether In the
contrary direction. and that they are constantly
exerting vicious influence over rapidly In
creasing number of persons.
II the purpose Of the Horton law was good, as
we are willing to believe 1t was, its operation
has been an unmixed evil and disgrace to the
people in whose name II was enacted.