Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-12-25
JOHN |. SCORES
1oMM Y BURNS
THE SPORTING PUBLIC WOULD
HAVE STOOD WITH HIM IF HE
HAD REFUSED TO FIGHT THE
COLORED MAN.

S~SAO~sAS~ AAAAAAys
Chicago. Dec. 25.-Conceding that
during the latter part of this month
we are to read about real cham
pionship glove contst over in Aus
tralia, and accepting the principals,
such as they are. to be the best men
OF the day, let us first of all get down
to brief discussion of the case. leav-
ing aside all prejudices and hard
feelings, says that champion of all
champions, John l.. Sullivan.
Tommy Burns. French Canadi-
an lacrosse player, and general all
around athlete, is casting his title
and hOnors into the ring with a col.
ored man, Jack johnson, in a bat.
tie that is slated to go, believe, 20
rounds and to carry with it the
championship
This is the first time since the
Queensberry code became the vogue
that champion has consented to
take on black candidate for the
top position. 1t is the first time,
gone out of his way for black
man to capture the coveted chance
! say, has gone out of his way,
for this reason:
Burns does not have to fight
John il he does not feel like it.
No force of argument in the world
compel white champion to climb
over the barrier and enter the ne
gro's backyard for such a battle.
And public opinion would support
Burns in his position.
He could point to numerous pre-.
cendents, bring up several shining
examples of the past to substantial; e
his ground. He would not hav. tc
even advance one single argument t.
make his position absolutely above
assault
I became champion of America by
whipping Paddy Ryan on February
Z, 1882. During that time was
pestered again and again by negroes
who sought meeting with me
Scanning back over almost forgot
ten days Of my premiership. more
especially before the sporting game
had developed 90 firmly in the pub
, lie mind and the style Of glove. con
tests that l inaugurated had become
standard and the basis Of the sport,
present day popularity. can in m,
minds eye picture the array Of
blacks that we're doomed for posi-.
le candidates for my scalp.
There were Black Pearls. .Biacl
Giants, and Black Thunderbolts and
| black this and black that. l believe
that the best of the lot was Boston
fighter. George Godfrey. a man who
weighed about 175 pounds and said
to be game and clever. Being a
townsman Of mine perhaps his name
was more forcibly impressed npor
me than any of the others. Godfre,
was persistent in his demands for
match but l always declined tc
| meet him.
I had the support Of every light
thinking man In the country in my
stand My position then was as I,
Is now: Let the blacks fight it on,
among themselves
Corbett picked up the idea. al
though before he became champion
he had boxed Peter Jackson in 'hf
contest that made him famous and
put him directly in line for a battle
, with me.
| Corbett outlived Jackson pugilist.
ically and therefore after becoming
champion was not called on again
to face the great Australian. But
there were other colored fighters whc
pestered Corbett. He declined then
an.
Fitzsimmons supplanted Corbet'
as champion. reigning from March
1897. to June. 1899. During that
time he permitted no negro to en-
croach upon his preserves. There
were negroes fighting well durinl
his period OF premiership, but none
simmons life
Jeffries took the title away from
the Australian in June, 1899, and al
though during the time he was bat
| thing to make name for himself, III
| boxed colored men. he put the liz
on and frightened vhe screws IN q
highly gratifying manner.
! There was no nonsense or cavi
about his position anent the co'Cl