The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-11-14
NEWS OF OLNEYVILLE.
Johnston Town Council Discusses the
Proposed Sullivan-ConIy Contest.
DECISIVE ACTION POSTPONED.
Tho Arguments Advanced Pro and Con.
The Union Fair Of the Irish-Catholic
Benevolent Societies-A New Athletic
Club Proposed.


of the Johnston Town Council called for
renewed in the discussion of the petition
TO prevent the coming Sullivan-Coniy
contest, was over. Nearly three hours
had been spent in the council chamDer,
and when the dusk of evening began 10
creep in the decision still hung IN the
balance. The petition was first presented
at the regular session., ana much was
said pro and con, as To whether the eNhi-
bition was to be prize fight, or simply
sparring bout, for the amusement OF the
members of the X. l. Athletic Club.
Christopher NJ. Lee appeared as counsel
for the club, Andrew H. Patton for the
citizens of Johnston who filed the petit
tion. AS n result of Thursdays meeting
committee had been appointed TO in
quire into the matter and ascertain the
true character of the affair, whether it
was, or was not, To be prize fight
At about 215 o'clock Lawyer Patton on
call from the president of the Council,
arose and informed the body that after
considering the matter, the committee,
which met at his office, had decided from
evidence gained, that it was TO be prize
fight, and nothing else. He stated 1T was
we'll known that tickets had been for pre-
vious contests Of a similar nature for s.
and Sc each. He then read long article
from the Police Gazette on the coming eX-
hibition. stating James McCurdy, secre-
tary Of the club; had already posted the
sum of sl25 with the same paper.
An ordinance, drawn up by the COM
mittee was then read and subjected TO
the council for passage. IL consisted OF
five sections, the substance of which was
that TO hold any wrestling, boxing or spar
ring exhibitions in johnson, the parties
so desiring shall procure license from
the town council In order TO secure this
license the petition shall be presented at
least two weeks before the sitting OF the
council that il be duly advertised, stating
ha nj an
tion. A fee of 80 shall be paid for said
license, and fine or $50, or ten days i'm
prisonment imposed for the violation of
any of these provisions. IL also empowers
the town council to appoint constables or
other proper officers TO maintain order at
such exhibitions.
Attorney Lee then stated that he knew
nothing of the Police Gazette article, and
that newspapers cauld not be considered
as evidence. He offered to allow anyone
to arise and swear that tickets were sold,
and If so proven he was willing that the
ordinance be passed. A set of gloves, used
in one of the previous contests, was put
before the council for inspection. They
were evidently six-ounce glove and ap-
peared perfectly new. The statute pro-
viding for such contests was then read,
he claiming that the council had no right
to pass any ordinance, as the law of Rhode
Island covered the ground. IL the eXhi-
bition was Illicit then it was punishable,
If innocent amusement, rs claimed for
the benefit Of the members alone, then it
was beyond all statute, and he desired it
understood that it was no prize-fght but
a sparring exhibition for points.
Patton answered that he was aware of
the non existence OF "A law providing for
private affairs of this kind, and it was for
that reason the present ordinance was
submitted, to prevent all influence tend
ing to hurt the morals OF the people. If
Il be private, as alleged, said he, let il be
N will
be done to prevent IL.
''ln case this ordinance should be
passed" said Lee, "if the president, Mr.
Bowen, and were engaged in a friendly
bout at his house and his wife, should step
i'm and become a spectator, she could be
arrested and fined $50 and be imprisoned
for ten days for being a locker on. Sup
posing we, as the ordinance reads, should
obtain n license and after having filled
the requirements thereof, proceed to carry
ston Town Council. While in the midst
of the affair Rhode Island sheriff or
deputy comes in, and, considering it I'M
lawful. scoops in the whole business, box
ers and members. II comes up in the
lower court, is continued to the Supreme,
which convicts the entire body, Would
the plea of having obtained a license from
the Johnston Council be of any weight"
1--WE do not dispute the law" replied
Patton, but the Council has perfect atl-
private club and regulate such exhbi-
tions, if they find IL expedient." He
doubted, he said, whether it was as pri-
vate as the X. 1. Athletic Club would
have people believe, but, in his opinion, it
was of a more public nature. People have
right to see that no moral wrong is
done because they pay taxes. There were,
he continued, facts sufficient to make a
prma facie case. He doubted whether
the gloves shown were such as used in a
recent contest.
Lee then offered to swear, that they
We're such, and that there would be no diff
ference in any use d in the future,
The Rev. Mr.. Rood then took the stand,
and said that there should be little hesta-
tlon on the part of the council, in passing
the ordinance, as the committees evidence
was conclusive He took Mr.. Lee to task,
for endeavoring to dictate to the members
of that body. Lee retaliated by saying
that that he was not endeavoring to die
tate TO them, but merely wished to show
them the grounds on which they Stood ac-
cording the statute.
Several others were heard, for and
against, and then the Council was left to
arrive at a decision. None was forthcom-
ing, when IL was suggested by Mr.. Calder
that the matter be lett for the members to
seriously consider until the next meeting,
two weeks from yesterday. The session
was then adjourned and the large crowd
that had gathered TO hear the decision
went away disappointed.
John h. Bowen, president of the Coun-
ell, expressed it as his opinion that
IL was just as the committee for
the club represented they having
no jurisdiction in the matter whatever
but that he was willing himself to pass
the ordinance, and, If necessary, let II be
referred To the Supreme Court. Olney-
willie Is truly worked up. Little groups
might be seen all along the street, dis
cussins the situation, some waxing wroth
In favor of the club, others indignant that
the thing was not sat on without mo-
mont's demur. Several of the citizens
who were against allowing the affair TO
proceed, met Immediately after the adj
Journment at the Rev Mr.. Rood's house
TO arrange for its being carried to the Su-
preme Court II the ordinance is not passed
Aud thus IL will ever be war TO the bitter
end.
Rhode Island ID. A. Societies Union.
The Union Fair of the Irish Catholic
Benevolent Societies OF Rhode Island
opened last night in Woods Hall. A
large crowd attended. Among the socie-
-