New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-09
PUGILisM AND POLICT.

In the language of the miserable business
which he is trying TO abolish, Assemblyman
Lewis has won the first round in his fight for
the repeal of the Horton law. His repeal Dill
has been favorably reported to the Assembly by
so large majority of the Committee on Codes
as to make its rapid progress through the lower
branch of the Legislature probable. The prize
fighting interests were largely and zealously rep
resented at the final hearing, and the thrifty
sympathies of Tammany Hall We're fully dis
closed Nevertheless the support on which Mr..
Lewis had relied stood firm, and the result was
more encouraging than most of his friends had
expected. 1t appears, for one thing, to indicate
that the Republican machine, which is generally
believed to have consented to the mutilation OF
the repeal bill year ago, has thus far refrained
from interfering with it's prospects at this ses-
sion. At the same time 1t must be remembered
that the Senate, with its narrow majority, is
far better adapted than the Assembly to the
employment Of such influences as the pugllistic
ring has heretofore commanded, and that the
hardest part of the contest is yet to come.
Apparently, have said, the Republican
managers have kept their hands off; but is 1T
not about time that they put their hands on, In
the interest of public decency? They are ex-
ceedngy fond of constraining Republican mem
bers of the Legislature to support measures
different, and to make obedience to their orders
a test of party regularity. Here is bill which
respectable citizens of all parties almost uni
versally approve, but which still lacks the for
NAL Endorsement and even the informal appro-
baton of the machine 1t is true that Mr.. Odell
having been deeply impressed by the obvious
swindling of the NewYork prize ring though
not necessarily in consequence OF his own per-
sonal experience. first suggested, de-
clared not long ago that it was an undeserving
institution which the law ought not to counte
nance: but we have not observed since that
time any disposition on his part TO make his
diSapproval effective. To all appearance the or
ganiZation for which he has been deputed to
speak at Albany is leaving Mr. Lewis to his
own devices. and it would be unsafe to predict
that this attitude of ostensibe neutrality will
not prove to be mere deceit before the session
is over
There Is another bill at Albany designed to
break up an abominable industry which has its
headquarters in this city and thrives by fraud
even more basely than does the prize ring OF
course, the reference is TO the policy shops
which continually deprave and defraud a multi
tude of wretched patrons for the enrichment of
a ring of thieves. That they exist in profuson
and security Is known to everybody and is de-
MED only by the police. Captain F. Norton
Goddard. Mr.. Theron G. Strong and other reso-
lutte citizens have undertaken TO procure the
passage of bill which will make the protection
of these gambling dens more difficult and dan
gerous There was hearing on this bill also
last Wednesday, at which the knaves who are
permitted to defy the law were felicitously rep
resented, but at which the odous nature and
effects OF their trade were convincingly re-
vealed. The committee deferred action on the
bill which Captain Goddard suggested, Mr.
Strong drew and Mr.. Fallows introduced, but
VIII probably make a favorable report next
week III these two measures prevail against
the opposition which, proceeding from kindred
elements in the community is able to make a
lavish use of money and to WELD strong politi-
cal influences, we may confidently hope that
New-York will soon cease to be a prizeighters
and policy gamblers paradise