56 Vt. 445 | Vt. | 1884
We have to consider this case as presented by the exceptions. It is true, as contended by the respondent’s counsel, that sparring or boxing with gloves manufactured for that purpose, as conducted and engaged in ordinary athletic sports, is not unlawful, nor a breach of the peace. It may be that such sports, properly conducted, are both healthful and promotive of physical vigor and development, and should be encouraged. But such pugilistic exercise may be abused and carried beyond the limits of healthful and lawful exercise and sport. It may be so conducted as to create a breach of the peace. It may even degenerate into a prize fight. Many of the circumstances detailed in the exceptions, the agreement to engage in the match, giving notice, having seconds, a referee, rules, a ring, etc., are not iuconsistent with lawful sport, nor yet with a breach of the peace. Neither is the fact that slight injuries were inflicted upon the contestants determinative of the character of the engagement. The court told the jury that if they found the facts, which the evidence tended to shew, proven, they would be warranted in returning a verdict of guilty, although the combatants fought by consent. The court instructed the jury what would constitute a breach of the peace in a manner satisfactory to the respondent. He excepted to the charge on the subject of consent. The court did not withdraw from the jury the determination of whether what the evidence tended to show, would constitute a breach of the peace. It left that whole subject to the determination of the jury,with proper instructions on the subject of what would constitute a breach of the peace. The only question reserved was whether the consent of the combatants would prevent their acts from being a breach of the peace. Clearly, such consent would not necessarily give character to their acts and prevent their becoming a breach of the peace. The conduct — quarreling, challenging, assaulting, tumultuous and offensive carriage, etc., which the statute declares to bo a breach of the peace — is capable of being consented to by all the parties guilty of it. Consent, therefore, was not at all determinative of whether the
Neither was the respondent entitled to have admitted the offered evidence, to show that such matches were common and harmless amusements, innocent and proper exercises, practiced in the universities and colleges in this country. Such evidence was not at all determinative of, nor helpful in determining, the character and quality of the contest between the respondent and Bloxham, as conducted by them on the occasion complained of
Nor was there error in not giving the huge boxing gloves to the jury to examine. Probably, if it had allowed the jury to make such examination, it would not have been error. Whether it would or would not order such examination was largely in the discretion of the County Court. The gloves furnished no criterion by which to judge of the character of the contest, nor of the manner in which it was conducted.
The result is that no error is found in the action of the County Court. If the jury, under proper instructions, have given a wrong character to the contest and conduct of the respondent, relief must be sought in some other manner than upon exceptions to correct rulings of the County Court. The result is, that judgment is rendered that no error is found in the proceedings of the County Court, that the exceptions are overruled, and judgment rendered on the verdict.