The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-03-27
Boxing Bill Fails


Although the boxing bill failed In
the senate yesterday, it is little
early for those opposed to the meas
ure to organize cheering section
The bill failed by one vote; among
the senators absent when the roll
was called was at least one who Is
reputed friendly to the measure. No
tice has been given of a motion TO
reconsider the vote so there Is still Il
chance for the bill to pass the senate.
Whether it would survive another
consideration by the house-made nee
essary by senate amendments-is q
debatable question.
Whether the senate should pass the
bill yesterday appeared to be regarded
also as an eminently debatable ques-
tion. The senate spent all the time
allowed by the rules for argument on
discussion of the bill, and then eX-
ceeded the time. Advocates and OPP
ponents Of the measure became equal
ly excited about it.
State in Prize Ring Business
Tom Angln of Holdenvile led off
for the opposition. He asserted the
state had no right to go into the
prize.fighting business. He said 1t
was a moral question, and commented
on the type of citizen who is usu-
ally found in charge of such affairs,
mentioning a local character who
staged a fight recently that he him
self had attended. He denied that the
American Legion was back of the
measure, and told of receiving tele-
grams from ministers who disapproved
of the bill. Jed Johnson Of Walters,
friend of the bill. asked him If a
prze.fight could be held legally un-
der the proposed law. Anglin replied
it was merely matter of degrees
that the amended bill just tanned the
fights Il little.
+. T.. Hensley of FL Reno seemed
to entertain vigorous views on the
subject. He denounced the bill, even
in its present "sugar-coated' state.
IL was the same old Shiny serpent, he
said. He announced himself as OPP
posed to prize-fights, and knew where
Of he spoke. because he went TO one
not long ago, just to see what it was
like-a sort of Summing expedition
he appeared to consider it. He pro-
duced resolutions from the Baptist
I.aymen and the Ministerial Alliance
of the state to support his invective.
Johnson asked him If the state didn't
need money. Hensley earnestly re-
piled that it did, but it wasn't ready
to go into that kind of "nefarious'
business-it had other methods of
support without wandering to the VII
est tendencies of the human race
Clark Nichols of Eufaula took up
the case for the bill. He told OF the
activity OF army chaplains in pro-
noting boxing exhibitions. He said
the kind of talks that have been
made against the bill show what is
keeping so many young people who
want healthy, innocent amusements
out of the churches. Anglin then
broke in. What good would II do
me to sit in a smoky room and watch
one fellow from Kansas City and an
other fellow from san Francisco beat
each other up?" To which Nichols
replied: III you weren't so old and
bald-headed II would be an inspiration
to YOU" There Is inspiration IN
watching skill In any line. according
To Nichols. lie said he would like to
see Dempsey and Carpenter mingle,
because they were the best In their
line: and on the same principle, he
would like to see the worlds best
pcanut.rollcr. The speaker said his
desire was To have the law such that
the best citizens Of the community
could have part In arranging q boxing
matches. thereby making the game
clean and fair and removing Il from
the hands of "pugs" and sports
Johnson announced he was opposed
To prze-ftghting When he discovered
this bill In It's original form. was a
bill. he helped amend Il.
he said. aud make 1t real boxing
bill. He told OF having conference
the previous day with prominent
churchmcn and leading minister,
who were opposed to the measure, he
showed tnpu Wndt tn' l'NlHtu loIHl VI
the bill would mean and they are
no longer fighting IL. lie called at /
icntion tn the provision eliminating
decision bouts. which. he said would
prevent gambling In large measure.
John Golobie m Guthrie put In
lick for the hill, speaking of the new .
spirit uf the nation. lie said boxing .
and such sports We're a good .
for IN. saloon. Aud with .
the passing nf the saloon, he thought :
boxing would pass from the control .
NJ the rough element" Pete Coyne .
NJ Estrlh said there was prize-fight. /
ing In the state at present. with the .
proposed law In force. Il would be-
impossible to have prize.
fights he asserted.
on roll call. 90 senator's voted for
he hill one less than constitutional
majority Opponents numbered 10.
Party lines were not perccptible
AntiNice Legislation
The senate passed two bills by r. I
n FRYE and toa sherman which ain,