New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-04
IOUlsTANA AND TIE PRIZE FIGHT

Two professional bruisers have made thelr
ARRANGEMENTS to pound each other for money
and notoriety some day next week. They dare
not try to have the brutal performance take
place in any Northern State, for they realize
that the authorities backed by puDhc sen'l-
ment would take effective measures to pre-
vent it, Accordingly, they purpose lighting IN
Louisiana, The Attorney General and ASSIST
ant District Attorney Of that State are sad 10
have rendered quas-legal opinion to the enecV
that there is no law ON the Louisiana statute
books against prize-6ghtng. Acting on ,h1O
ASSUMPTION, Sullivan aud Kilrain and their
hackers, and sporting men from all over the
country, are now on their way to New-Orieans'
near which city, unless the Governor inter-
feres, the ring will be pitched
VIII the Governor interfere? He most GER
tainly will if he has proper conception OF what
be owes to the State whose commission he
bears. 10 is given out that the Governor
threatens, il the Attorney and othef
law officers fail to prevent the fight, to report
them to the Legislature. And it is compliment
" added that If he does no more than THIS
there is nothing to fear" 1t is signal oppOr-
tunity for Governor Nichols to render the cause
of good morals at the South great service
If he stops with his proclamation ana the night
comes off in spite of him, he will merit the
contempt of all reputable men the country over.
Louisiana, the New South, cannot afford to
have this disgrace brought home to them. The
New Orleans Times Democrat in recent
number argued that there is no such held Tor
labor and capital anywhere in the United States
az there is in the fertile soil and the vast forests
Of the Gulf States" But in order that such APP
peals to labor and capital may bear fruit-and
they come from all over the SOuth-it is neceS-
sary that those who have investments to make
either of labor or capital should be convinced
that the Gulf States and the other southern
States are Commonwealth in which law and
order and progressive civilization prevail. ii
this notorious prize-iight takes place in Lousl-
ana. the South generally will have received
a blow from which it may not soon recover
Let Governor Nichols do his duty. If he
means business the fight will be off so far as
Louisiana is concerned. Both he and the Gov
emor of Mississippi have issued proclamation
addressed TO all the sherIs and other peace
officers Of their respective States enioinng them
| to use all vigilance to prevent the fight taking
place at any point within their jurisdiction.
| And the Governor of Mississippi has gone a
step further lie has offered reward OF 5000
for the arrest Of either Sullivan or kilrain in
ease. in spite of his proclamation, they choose
that State for their battle ground. 1t is gem
| orally understood that the pugilistS have no IN
| tention of fighting in Mississippi it is equally
well understood that contemptuously disregard
ing Governor Nicholss proclamation they VIII
come together in Louisiana, not far from New
| Orleans. The Governor will not be held guilt
less in any intelligent quarter If they are al
lowed TO have their own way.
Suppose there is no specific law against prize
fighting in Louisiana, what prevents her Gov
ernor, if he is in dead earnest, from locking up
the two rutfans on the general information and
belief that they are contemplating a gross
breach of the peace? 1t is absurd to argue that
the chief official Of State is not clothed with
power enough to suppress nuisance oil TINS
sort, in its first stage.