New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11
A LITTLE OUT OF THE ORDINARY.

Those thoughtful and patriotic citizens who
fear that if the Horton law is repealed the
moral stamina of the Empire State will be
ruined are much distressed because of an I'M
fortunate occurrence at the Broadway Athletic
Club on Friday night. The place was full of
perfect gentlemen, who had been watching with
intelligent interest pleasant little affair with
the gloves between colored brother from Bal
tfmore named Cans and scientist Of Irish ex-
traction, who was born Sullivan and is affec
tionately known as Spike. 1t was the end Of
the fourteenth round, and the decision had just
been awarded to Cans in consequence of the
fact that Spike had been beaten down into
helpless condition." when q Boston enthusiast
who happened to be one Of Spikes professional
retainers misconceiving the motive Of the ref
cree, incOnsderately appeared in the ring and
smote him upon the left eye, cutting through to
the bone and sending him head over heels into
an adjacent box. Most of the perfect gentlemen
present Immediately engaged in an earnest en-
deavor to kill the man from Boston, but the
police felt some msgivings, and on the whole
thought 1t better to preserve his life, which
they succeeded in doing. He was subsequently
conveyed TO a police station, while the referee
proceeded to the hospital, with his temper con-
sderably ruffied and his left eye in precarlous
condition.
OF course, there are persons who will say
that this incident tends to support the move
ment for a repeal of the Horton law by throw
ing the character of those who consider the law
essential to manness and morality into I'M
favorable light. We should not be surprised II
a majority of the Assembly, to which the repeal
bill has recently been reported took that view
of the matter. Possibly also it may have some
influence in the Senate. especially If Mr.. Odel
4I,of
fessional pugilism in this State a swindle
should now conclude that it is lacking In gen
tleness and refinement, and convey to the Re-
publican members of the upper house an intma-
ton of Mr. Platts willingness to have the law
which protects and fosters it repealed.
This. as understand it, is the possibility
that causes the perfect gentlemen who wit
messed the performance at the Broadway Ath-
letic Club Friday evening to lament the
ardor of the man from Boston. Like the referee,
they had observed that the long enduring Spike
had at last been beaten down into a help
less condition by the colored brother from
Baltimore and the process had afforded great
pleasure even to those who had not been ad-
vised how the contest would be decided and
consequently had bet on the wrong man. But
they instantly perceived that the enemies OF the
Horton law would add the conduct of the heed
less BOstOnan to their arguments. Not I'M
naturally, therefore, the harm having already
been done, they desired to Stay him, But the
police. who can generally be trusted to prevent
a murder in the first degree If they can do so
without loss OF food or sleep or the pleasure OF
converslng with an amiable maidservant, avert
ed a possible lndiscretion and adjourned the
meeting. The transaction was thus left incom-
plete, but perhaps even so 1t may tend to the
enlightenment Of the Senate, with the kind as
sistance OF Mr. Odell