New-York tribune., 1900-01-02
4 NEW YEARS EXAMPLE.


Members Of the Legislature that came into
existence Yesterday and will meet tomorrow
who did not attend the prlzefght. otherwise
known as a sparring match or a demonstration
I'm the field Of pugiIstic science between Maher
and Mccoy at Coney Island will find no diff
culty in ascertainng from their colleagues who
were present and from n veracious press the
particulars of that gentle and joyous passage
Of arms" Many OF those who are about TO re-
new or begin their service Of this imperial Com
mOnwealth in the capacity Of lawmakers were
already acquainted with the fact that New
York. under the operation Of n statute which
sternly prohibits przefghting. has engaged the
affections of the whole prizefghtng fraternity
of the United States, and is at once the envy
and despair Of similar circles in all parts Of the
world. They witnessed and perhaps shared the
excitement which preceded, attended and fol
lowed the encounter last November between
those ilIustrious scientists. Jefries and Sharkey.
and noted with varying emotions the comments
10 which that performance gave rise in other
States and especially in States at which New
York was long accustomed TO faunt the robes
Of virtue and point the finger Of scOrn But no
harm will be done If they add 10 their knowl-
edge of the subject by an attentive consdera-
ton Of the show provided yesterday by the
COney Island Sporting Club.
OF course. the Republican organization may
have already decided that an attack upon the
Horton law would be injudiciOus this year.
There is some reason TO suppose that its amaze
ment was not intense when at the last session
Mr. Lewis found that his repeal bill had been
so badly mutilated 10 make the killing of II
an act Of mercy Since the elections of last
November. when money was mYsterously con
veyed into Mr.. Lewis's district for the obvious
nf o.tin
ganization has carefully refraincd from alluding
TO the Horton law. though repeatedly urged TO
speak The fact has likewise been remarked
that Governor Roosevelt has not publicly said
word on the subject; but we are persuaded
that his silence hitherto should not be inter
preted as giving consent to the activities of the
New-York prize ring. 1t must be presumed.that
he has been reserving his views for his annual
message. and that tomorrow he will be heard
distinctly in all parts of the State urging the
repeal of one of the worst laws ever devised TO
serve a respectable purpose.
II the Governor pursues this course and if
Mr.. Lewis. with more experience and greater
earnestness. takes up the work where he
compelled to drop il last year. they will find
hearty support in many quarters whatever at
titude the political machines adopt. Ii cannot
be disputed that professional pugilism of the
lowest type has been strongly intrenched here
during the last two years. 1t is a lucrative
cupation. and there will be no lack of money to
maintain its security. But neither can it be
doubted that prizefightng is extremely repug
nant to great majority Of the people of New
York. They are keenly sensible OF the disgrace
which has been brought upon the State and
tired of being ieered at by the rest of the Coun-
try. If they will only cause their representa-
tives at Albany TO understand how they feel
and then keep a close watch on them, the repeal
bill will 90 through.