Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-07-14
OUGHT TO Be
LAST FIGHT
SAYS I. R.
FINDS PRIZE RING is
BADLY DEM0RALIZING.
Editor Roosevelt Declares in
Outlook Big Purses Put
Premium on CrookednesSi
Would Taboo the Moving
Pictures,

fIBy Morning journal Special Leased wirel
New York, July is,--That rize
fighting as al present conducted is
demoralizing in the extreme Is the
position taken by Theodore Roosevelt
in an editorial on the subject which
will appear in the Outlook of July 16.
While Colonel Roosevelt says he has
enjoyed the personal friendship OF a
number of professional pugilists, and
while he advocates the manly art OF
boxing, he believes that the immense
prizes offered tend to put a 'premi-
um on crookedness' and encourage
gambling. lie also believes that the
exhibition OF the pictures of the fight
should be prevented. The editorial
is rs follows;
] have always been fond of boxing,
and have always believed in IL as Il
vigorous. manly pastime, one of those
pastimes which have distinct moral
and physical value, because they en-
courage such essential virtues as
courage, hardihood, endurance. and
self-control. Until within few years
] used to box q good deal myself and
when ! was young several times took
part in contests of a public or semi |
public nature--generally. | am bound
to say, with III success. think box
ing Is a sport which should be encour-
aged among boys and young men gem
orally. | have been glad to help II SO
far as ! could In the army and navy.
where. l believe, it has been an eX-
cellent thing for the enlisted men.
When / was police commissioner, |
was much struck by statement made
TO me by Jacob Rils TO the effect that
The establishment of boxing clubs in
many Of the poorer districts had re-
suited in good in rather unexpected
ways; that is, it had not only given |
the vigorous young fellows who 9TH
erwise would join gangs" legiti- |
mate outlet for their activities, but /
had also markedly reduced the num-
Der Of affrays in which the knife
was used. The spirit produced by the
boxing had told against knife-6ghting,
and distinctly discouraged unfair
play,
Therefore, from every standpoint.
believe in the announcement of box
ing as a sport. Moreover. boxing as a
has its good side also.
Among the men whose friendship and
regard / have really valued ! could
name 2 number Of professional box
ars. including several ring champions
The men to whom | refer ! found
square, decent men. who showed
themselves good citizens when their
good citizenship was tested. ! ap-
proved of the movement, which In
his state, at tho time that | was po-
ice commissioner resulted In the en-
,ctment of a law permitting contests
between professional boxers, under
conditions which were meant to safe
guard the sport against brutality and
he other evils which have everywhere
esulted sooner or later in the suppress
ion of the prize-rng. | saw several
" these public boxing contests. In
which the intent Of the law was car
led out in good faith.
Nevertheless. even under this law.
buses crept in, and, finally. one or
wo fights occurred where the sur
ounding circumstances were so soan- .
alous that when / was governor
ras obliged to advocate. and finally {
% secure, the repeal of the law under I
hich the contests took place, feeling
together with the great |
majority OF the citizens of the state
hat under 1t almost all that made
rize fighting Objectionable and de-
1oralzing had gradually been rcviv-
a.
Now this was my experience, the Z
xperience OF man who, so far from
eing preiudiced against boxing, was
nd is a warm advocate of IL, and who, :.
I the outset, had not the slightest
against professional boxing :
that Is. boxing for purses Of money :
and who has numbered among his
-lends many men who were profess ii
onals and had fought for money u
rizes. am sure that what has hap II
ened IN New York will happen IN 4
he nation at large. and that prize
ehting Will be, as IL ought 20 be r.
.opped in every state OF the union. a.
ince it was stopped In New York the &,
,ndltions surrounding the ring have Il
fnMn WoEHts ana U'A NfAAfAf ." ~ "
loney prizes fought for are enormous n
nd are potent source of demoraliz- q
lion In themselves. while they are
item So arranged as either TO be a 4
remium on crookedncss or else 90
ward nearly as amply the man who
ills as the man who succeeds. The
citing and gambling upon the re-
IN are thoroughly unhealthy. and the
owing picture part Of the proceedings o.
MS produced n new method Of money u
sttlng and of decentralization. In adj "
tion. the last contest provoked "
sry unfortunate display Of race an II
sonism. sincerely trust that pub 81
, sentiment viii be 50 aroused. and q
iI make itself felt 50 effectively as q
guarantee that this is the last prize -
ght 90 take place in the United OF