Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-05-26
-nE FIGHT AGAINST THE FIGHT

The good people Of California are
now up IN arms against the proposed
desecration Of the Fourth Of July In
that state They are performing
duty devolving upon them as citizens
and deserve success.
Notwithstanding an assertions 70 the
contrary prize fights are brutal ana
brutalizing. II is no maudlin sentiment
that has found II necessary 10 prohibit
them in every civilized community
Experience has taught people the ne
ressitv OF leeislating against them
rhev are degrading; not 20 the princi-
nails who. probably. cannot be forced
10 descend any lower than they are
ana not 10 those whose taste FOR
auusements has already reached the
stage when they can enjoy the
disgusting spectacle Of halt-naNed
men pounding one another for money
ant TO those who go TO such
shows for the sake OF curl
,sitv the exhibition must neces-
sarJv be injurious and the more
a. the purer the surroundings are from
which they come. A white coat Is
EASILY stained and a pure character
soon shows the marks OF Impure sur
rounding Both must be carefully
guarded. Prize fights are a relic OF
past barbarous times They DO not
belong to our civilization any more
,ban would a feast Of cannibals, or
he slaughter Of men and women by
xlld beasts In the arena.
such exhibitions are, furthermore
against the law They cannot be held
without the violation OF the law The
promoters must b. experts in the eva
sion OF the law. and very often they
must secure the COLLISION Of officials
who have sworn 20 maintain the law.
rhev. therefore. are dangerous 20 the
state. lnasmuch as they are lessons In
.ontempt for law and legal authority
ana corruption. by which the rabble i7
nut too apt TO pront We must not
expect anything but a steady increase
N the criminal record as long az pro-
noters Of Illegal exhibitions are per
nitted 10 make money by the breaking
n Just and humane laws. The exam
ole is contagious n would b. better
or the community 10 legalize prize
sights as tho saloon has been legalized,
han 10 prohibit n and permit Il
against the prohibition. Hypocrisy In
ne dealing with such evils Is worse
han open and acknowledged defeat.
sin further. such exhibitions are al
vays followed by a crowd that no
.omsaunity cares to invite. Crooks
naturally gather whore such contests
arc held. and the citizens are the
oscrs
For these and other reasons the peo-
Die OF California are doing their duty
n protesting against the proposed in
guilty. They can do no less Not TO
protest would be 90 accept the rcspon-
dhnlty of participation In the crime
But protests. I'm order 70 be effective,
must be general II is no use 20 have
,poradic outbursts OF Indignation Oc-
,asional skirmishes are not decisive
There must be a general attack upon
,ice an along the line For tbas reason
" han with soy the strong protest en-
cred by the Presbyterian General as
iembly al Atlantic city which is to
,e presented 90 tho Governor Of Call
ornla The Assembly urges Presby-
erians All over the country 20 join In
his protest We hope they viii do 50.
ana we hope that other churches that
re equally Interested IN the mainten-
lnce Of the high standard Of morality
hat should prevail In this country, will
Md their protest until the authorities
n california realize the fun strength
+ tho opposition to the proposed out
age.
California r. ambitious 90 r-v0 on