New-York tribune., 1900-03-23
KNOCK 1T OUT!

The Horton law repeal bill has been advanc
to third reading in the Senate and is therefore
within a single step either of the statute book
or the waste basket This is the precise point
at which the resourceful enemies of a deserving
measure whose fate is in doubt most conf
IDENTITY rely on getting in their strongest argu-
ments. The Lewis bill passed the Assembly by
an Unexpectedly large majority, to which both
parties contributed nearly all their votes. and,
of course, it is possible that the opposition in
the Senate may suddenly go to pieces with a
similar result. But at the present moment the
bill is generally considered TO be in an extremely
critical condition. though Mr. Lewis, who has
the keenest interest in the matter and perhaps
the most accurate knowledge of the tuation,
believes that he is going to win
From the action of the caucus on Tuesday it
is assumed that twenty-five Republican Sen
ators will support the repeal bill. but the
additional vote which Is absolutely essential has
apparently not yet been secured. Ostensibly be-
cause his mischevous amendments had been
rejected Senator Coggeshall withdrew from the
caucus. and for reasons which he did not choose
TO explain Senator Willis refused TO be bound
by its action. There is some hope, however,
that Mr. Willis at the last moment will leave
Mr.. Coggeshall in a Republican minority of one.
The unwavering advocates of the bill are not
intending to put their reliance on Democratic
support until they have to do so. but there is
some reason TO look for vote or two from that
quarter for Senator Douglass natural sympa-
thies are believed 20 be the side of decency.
and Senator Graney, OF Westchester. is actually
quoted saying that he shall vote for repeal in
obedience to the wishes of his constituents.
Unless, therefore. the pressure becomes so strong
as 10 close Mr. Graney's eyes and ears to the
reputable sentiment of his district the bill will
pass with without twenty-siXth Repub-
lcan vote.
Such is the legislative situation with respect
TO this measure The moral situation remains
unchanged. The bill to stop the swindle and
disgrace which the pugilistic ring has inflicted
on this State withdrawS no privilege which any
body has the faintest right to claim. Not a
single argument has been advanced in defence
of the existing law which can appeal TO any
honest and intelligent mind. Whether or not
the original purpose Of the law was honest. its
consequences have been utterly deplorable.
Under its provisions priZefghting of the basest
sort has f1ourshed increasingly. bringing rich
profits to It's promoters. corrupting thousands Of
young men and earning for the State Of New
York the contempt of the whole country. The
police by means Of their actual authority and
of the hold they have on the criminal and semi
criminal classes. could doubtless have prevented
the business from regaining firm and lucrative
standing here but the phraseology of the stat
ute has nevertheless given them an excuse for
asserting their inability TO break II up. The
outright repeal of the law, and nothing less
than that. is imperatvely needed for the
tlnction of brutal and fraudulent industry and
the restoration of public self-respect There has
never been the slightest reason for amending
the Lewis bill from the moment Of its intro
duction, and all talk about the propriety of
changing 1t now is simply in the interest of the
prizefght promoters. who know that any amend
ment at this time would kill the bill and save
them.
There is not the remOtest possibility of being
deceived to the feeling of the respectable
people of the State on this subject They know
that the New York prizerng is conducted solely
for the enrichment of a group Of swindlers
through the qualification of base passions. and
they demand its immediate abolition. No intelli-
gent member of the Legislature can hope to fool
them and no honest member can want to be-
tray them.