Salt Lake Times | 1890-06-18 | Page 4 | Athletic Clubs

ATHLKTiiC CLUBS. The jjoverner of Calif ornia proposes, if possible, to put a stop to prize lighting light-ing in that state. H has called the attention at-tention of the attorney-general to the prize lights that lake place tinder the auspices of the so-called athletic clubs. These span-ing matches, as they are called in order to evado the law, are nothing more nor less than prize fights, and the athletic clubs arc simply organizations organ-izations for the promotion of brutality. These San Francisco clubs exercise a very demoralizing influence not only in that city but all over the country. They are the means of supporting a worthless elasa of " pugilistic vagabonds vaga-bonds who ought to be at work with pick and shovel or sent to jail. The governor of California will do a great public good if he succeeds iu suppressing suppres-sing these vicious organizations. The authorities-of every city and state should take steps towards suppressing the rapidly-spreading evil of pugilism. Athletic clubs are all right when they are devoted to legitimate athletics, but when they are simply organized for the purpose of promoting prize-rights, and evading the law, they are all wrong.