New-York tribune., 1900-01-25
PRIZEFIGHTS DENOUNCED.
ASSEMBLY, COMMITTEE ON CODES HEARS
THOSE FAyoRING THE REPEAL
OF THE HORTON LAW

.,..-v Ian. q (speciaD.-The hearing given by
. 1.ssr,hlv Committee on Codes to-day on the
-, ,-.-oeuced by Assemblyman NJ Z. Lewis. OF
-..rssrer 70 repeal the Horton law. which sub
--.tzllv permits priZehghting in this State drew
: -. audience TO the Assembly Library Assem-
q .-e - 7guts had prined himself with arguments
=. - - ef the bill. and he supported by sew
=, - +he- members Of the Assembly. whose con-
e..s-rs had overwhelmed them with petitions in
- - the repeal Of the law Only those in favor
= - AL were permitted 70 speak Mr. Weekes.
:. Nsr-York. presided over the proceedings IS
.-ss.blyman Roche appeared at odd intervals as
-.l-ssrnan for the athletic clubs interested IN
stntsinfng the existing statute. and Nj Saunders.
- ggvr-York al the end Of every speech would
e How do you know what you are talking
ssout # YOU never saw prizehght?"
NJ Fiske Of Queens. also improved every oppoI-
.,,nl-v 70 cross-examine all those VINO spoke IN
t.4or of the repeating measure After the Kev
NJ F4fte OF Albany, had adduced several reasons
WHY prizeaghtirg should not be tolerated unoet te
exsting statute. among which was the demon Ail~iHe
srhuence OF the .requenters OF the prize TINS IL"
clergyman was asked by Mr. Roche;
Are you opposed to fOotbahe"
Y an" the reply.
..yrorI5 Won call II as brutal as the prize ring?
Sometimes as brutal but never as demorallz.iis-
III. Griffith. OF Wayne County. and Nj sWlII U oL
Broone, then followed The latter said IN par.
an & sportsman myself. I enjoy gooo Da7eD0li
and anything OF tIldi A-t-1A- H N--O-~
horse race within mile Of here al the preseh' I'M
doubtless I wouldn't be here. But prizenghung i
not snort. Il is an evil It's effects can be seen
wherever the newspapers 80 which describe these
bouts round by round Everybody who can reao
psper wants 70 be a fighter himself
Asser-blvruan Lewis then said: Last year N
+ros,ced bill repeating the Horton law but It DID
,,ot mass I did il from duty, but fear was
zes- ahead Of the times. The measure was con-
stored = ioke and when it emerged from the com
e-rs-a rail ef an
u u-as made absolutely absurd. As a consequence
II v-gs killed the Assembly" Mr.. Lewis gave the
history Of legislation prohibiting prizehshting IN
the state OF New-Zork during the last nifty years
he szid that the laws in respect 10 the prize ring
had been made more stringent showing that moth
ing was more abhorrent 10 the people Of the State
than the practice Of prizehghtlng- He added:
However. in 1876 a law was passed purPorting 70
results The doors Of the state have been thrown
vide open 10 every pugiist IN the country The act
signed for the purpose OF permitting men TO form
associations and carry on lighting for the money
re fghts conducted in the Broadway. the
Lenox the Brighton Beach and the Coney Island
prove this. I may say that during the last year
this country. Three have been killed here in
Sbe eoroneTs ph1sic.aT IN New-York City which
tells Of the death OF one James DUFFY from hight
impossible 10 obtain the conviction of the other
pQgilist OF any OF the members Of the club under
VINO caused the Horton law, and who are night
a.ne their pockets with the gain accruir from the
fights carried on under its provisions There is no
state IN the Union which viii permit such an out
rage on the deceney and morality Of the public.
Nevada VIII not permit ngnt unless license cost
ing $3.50 is procured New-9ork II spite OF her edu-
cation her enlightment and her previous fair rec
ord, allows these exhibitions 10 go on unmolested
ana unhaEapered by any statutory restriction,
importance which is attached 10 the passing OF this
bill The people Of this State desire that the meas
20 90 the people ask The future Of any legis-
l61or is doomed sooner or later who votes against
One word for those members OF the Assembly
some OF whom are also members Of this commit
fighters and the who employ them They wiz
make objections 70 the repeal Of the statute II
business Are you 70 be persuaded by this eIe-
neDt 70 enact laws against the wishes OF the great
majority OF its citizens2
3Ir. Lewis then presented thirty-three petitions,
which had been sent him from different organiza-
tons throughout the State, asking for the repeal
of the Horton law.
Mr.. Saunders then handed in q petition from the
Metropolitan Association Of the Amateur Athletic
Union Of The United States. It read II part:
We oppose the repeal Of the Horton law because
II would work untold injury TO those athletic asso-
clat1oEs which have been organized under its pro-
visions Physical exhibitions are in the interest of
the Development Of the manhood and the courage
OF young men. Boxing exercises every part OF the
BODY n not too violent q manner II trains the
eye L gives cooiness and sagacity and strength
again. the existing law is not burdensone to any
few brutal bouts but the law was not the cause
Ihe chief fault Of the objectors raised against the
present practice Of prizehghts has resulted from
the highly sensational newspapers. The bruises
are not as bad as some people think They heal up
efect., anu SUN z'i'e@r' having no permanent
Those in favor OF the existing statute win have
hearing before the committee On February