The San Francisco call., 1905-03-10
BOXING GAINS
LEASE OF LIFE
Bill to Prevent the Game
Is Defeated in Assembly
After "a Hard Battle
EIGHT VOTES LACKING
Fact That Supervisors Take
No Steps to Stop 1t Here
Proves Strong Argument

SACRAMENTO, March 9.-Amerige
went 20 the center Of the ring promptly
this morning when time was called on
the -prizehght bill and put up
stiff fight, but the opposition had
brick in its right glove and the advo-
Gates Of the measure went down and
out in the first round of the contest.
The referees tab showed 80 points
for the bill and 35 against il. Forty
one votes were required for il to be-
come a law.
The fact that San Francisco's Board
Of Supervisors takes 10 steps 10 stop
prize-tig in that city. though hav
ing the power to do so. was brought
out strongly during the debate ana was
used by the opponents OF the bill as an
argument why the Legislature should
not interfere.
Under the rule that debate be limited
TO nVe minutes on each side. there was
not much Oratory, but most OF that
delivered was of a strong order.
Amerige delivered a straightforward
address: There is not a member on
this floor he said, who is not thor
oughly familiar with this bill. lit is in
troduced TO purify branch of athletic
sport. There is little use calling at
tentiOn TO the morality Of it That is
well understood. 1t is in the interest
of purity and decency and has the in
dorseement Of the Olympic Club ana
the Southern California Athletic Club.
II is intended to elevate mankind in
stead Of degrading it. 1t is aimed at
the iniQuitOus trust that controls prize
lighting in San Francisco and which is
passing beyond the bounds of decency.
There is no one in this Assembly who
would not vote TO pass q law against
bullfighting and bullhghting is more
humane than some Of the prize fights.
They have laws in the East similar to
this one. California is ten years be-
hind the times in this respect.
FLOOD OF ORATORY.
Would you make the people go back
TO ancient times, when they killed peo-
pie with swords or pistols or axes?"
asked Lucey.
Better that than to put men into the
ring and debauch our youth, replied
Amerige.
The alleged amateur fights this bill
would foster work more damage to the
young men than do the professional
contests" said Mitcheltree. ''Aleck
Greggains, who conducts one of these
amateur clubs in San Francisco. urged
me TO work for the passage Of this BILL
saying he could make more money out
OF amateur fights than out Of the pro-
fessional ones"
I never saw a prize fight and hope
/ never shall see one" said Cleveland
i introduced an amendment to this
bill yesterday that would do away with
all fights. If this business is as bad as
they say ii is we should stop il entirely
These people who are here trying to
pass this bill want prize fighting of
some kind TO exist"
1t is not my purpose to argue
whether prize fighting is right or
wrong, said MCGOWAN. but / make
this statement to you: This is a gen
eral bill, but it is aimed at a local in
oustry-one that exists in San Fran
cisco. We have a legislative body Of
our own there-a Board of Supervisors
and just as long as those Supervisors
favor II, il is the duty of the legislative
representatives of that city to defend
Il While ii is true have been an in
frequent visitor TO these exibitions. on
the teW occasions have attended them
/ have seen some Of the most proni-
nent men Of all parts Of the State pres
ent."
HOW THE ASSEMBLY VOTED.