New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-30
NO BOXING COMMISSION.
I'm. Barnes, ST., Says Ban Should
Not BE Taken from Prizefghts.
To the Editor Of the Tribune.

n
The argument was substantially as follows; so
long as there is no probability that the laws
against prizefghting VIII be strictly enforced.
and since hstic disputes are almost nightly &C
currence throughout New-York state. wouldn't
ii be better for the state TO enact boxing law
which would bring ring contests under lawful
control? The state has permitted gambling and
pool selling a. racetracks by simply not provid-
ing a remedy a punishment for that which in
other respects IS an offence and punishable
such. In order to enforce a law there must be
sanction. and statute can withstand public
sentiment. Under the supervision Of the state
Racing Commission there is less corruption.
fraud and trickery on the racetracks to-day than
ever before. The Frswley bill OF last winter con-
tanned many excellent provisions. among others
that a physician should examine each Of the
combatants before they entered the ring. II this
were done would not read Of pugilisJs being
killed By blow. and there would De less OF the
brutality displayed at the present time in ring
contests when the combatants are permitted TO
struggle to The centre Of the ring only to receive
the final knockout punch. which levels them
and perhaps renders them unconscious for many
minutes"
It seems probable. from the above extract. that
the prizefghters intend 70 secure. II possible
from the next legislature. some law IegaIizing
Christian ard non-Christian supporters Of law
and order and good government should unite
and be alert TO oppose and defeat any such legfs-
lation. The fact that gambling and pool selling
are allowed is no reason why other crimes should
be legalized and put under State protection
It shows only that the gambling statute should
be amended and adequate penalties provided for
its enforcement. This evil Of gambling and pool
selling is increasing so alarningly and under
mining the morals Of young men and employees
to such an extent that in Chicago even Mayor
Harrison is constrained to recommend a special
ordinance against it. All criminal laws are some
times violated. otherwise there would be no ne
cessity for enacting any such laws. Because
there viii be murders, larcenies burglaries and
lesser crimes, is there any good reason for any
State commission TO supervise them and render
them less repulsive and wicked? do not believe
that majority Of the people Of the State or
public opinion approves Of prizehghting. Elini-
mating rhe Incorporate the vicious and the Grim
inal classes, only small minority Of the re-
mainder would desire to legalize prizehghting
AL members of churches. the learned professions
and the educated classes would almost unanf-
mously oppose any such law. A referendum
would show vast majority in favor Of law and
order.
The Roman gIadiatoriaI contests and the
Spanish bull fights and tie duel are all re-
pudiated by modern civilization The prize
fight in the United States and the bull fight in
Spanish countries try linger superfuous
the stage. and die slowly, Byron's gladiator
in his poem.
Rome achieved her glory before the corrup-
ton under the later enperors. which so de-
stroyed Roman valor and manlness as 70 allow
the northern barbarians to tread the streets Of
imperial Rome and overthrow the empire. Have
bull fights saved Spain from deterioration or ad-
vanced her in human progress2
Look AT the faces at prizefght. and they tell
their own story OF what places have been vacated
to fill the room. Would any respectable physi-
clan be found willing TO disgrace an honorable
profession 70 examine prizefghters. and thus
become particeps crininis before the fact in
a prizehght? Why should the State prevent
prizefghters killing one another? They are ut
terly useless TO the community. much so
The Spanish bull fighters. They rarely. il ever.
afterward follow any useful or honorable en-
ployment; their health and morals are de-
stroyed and no life insurance company will in
their lives. The associations Of the ring
are vicious and degrading. and always will be-
Such chinera as a reform Of prizefghting by
a State commission otherwise. so az to de-
serve the sanction Of the great S.ate Of New
York. is utterly impossible. For genera tons
many other States have copied New-YOrk Iegis-
lation. Shall we give them clean and elevated
laws or sucn as tend to lower US 10 the level Of
savage races?
II prizefghting is eleyating. # should be a
part of school education. What would be the
effect OF establishing a prizefght once a week
in every school district in tn. State? Would
not our jans and penitentiaries be crammed
and crime rampant from New-York to Erie
and from Lake Champlain to Chautauqua and
law and order be abolished not up TO date?
Give the island Of Guam up to prizefghtsrs
and let them all. with their worshfppers and
''kowtowers" be barlshed and permitted to
fight one another all their lives Ike the Kill
kenny cats. and reap all the advantages Of their
sol distant manly art"
Boxing does not give its devotees superior
courage to that Of the rest Of mankind During
the Civil War prizehghters were in 10 hurry to
enlist. The lumbermen of Maine the innocent
farmer boys and the denizens OF the great West
formed the heart and soul Of the Union Army
and were superior in endurance and soldierIy
qualities TO the recruits from the great cities
The wild young Sioux and other Indian tribes
Of the prairie were accustomed to infiict upon
themselves terrible self-tOrtures as a prepara-
ton for the warpath. They exhibited more
chivalry in their accommodations and more
bravery than any prizehghter. Would it not be
better for the race II the ring should work up
10 the higher standard Of the Sioux, the Ute and
the ApaChe2
The Frawley bill provided that tax Of per
cent of the gross receipts OF every boxing ex-
hibiton should be paid to the Controller as a
State tax. II is thus proposed that the great
and civilized State of New-YOrk should enter
into a partnership with prizefghters and
share In the proceeds OF suCh exhibitions. II
such law should he enacted, VIII not the
burglars and safe robbers and other criminals
be justified in proposing to pay the State > per
cent Of their gross receipts in return for some
special privileges?
II is said that the law against prizehghtinE is