Los Angeles herald., 1891-07-23
THE GOVERNOR WINS.
But He VIII be Knocked Out at the Next
Election.

Election.
ST. PAUL, July 22.-The Hall.Fitz-
simmons fight will not take place to-
night in view of the positive stand
taken by Governor Merriam. The
management this afternoon formally
decided to postpone the fight indefinite
ly, fearing a riot should an effort be
made to carry out the programme.
President Cowles, of the Minnesota
Athletic club, this Afternoon gave the
following statement to the Associated
Press. Up to noon today, it was hoped
that under fair and reasonable execu-
tion of the law, which at most makes
prize fighting misdemeanor and felony,
as is the case in many other states,
that the contest would proceed
portunity to some extent OF
covering its loss. The club asked the
sheriff to be content with arresting the
principals, putting them under bonds
for future appearance, and that the law
be allowed to take it's course after the
event. The sheriff was disposed to
adopt this policy, but under threat
from the governor OF removal from Office
if he did not prevent the fight by any
means in his power in the state, the
sheriff was obliged to notify the club
that he should be on hand prepared to
stop the fight. It was also stated that
the governor had ordered the First regi-
ment under arms for the purpose of as
slsSing the sheriff. In such state of
things the club could not think of pro-
ceeding with the contest and as
a result OF conference in which
the mayor, chief OF police, sheriff,
county attorney and club nf'sta,a,,s nf's't.,,a,s took
nart at noon tod the club threw up
tH8 Sponge and declared the fight off.
The club loses its deposit put up as for
felt to protect the contestants, and in
addition about $4,000 expended in con-
structing big pavilion and other ex-
penses. Under the circumstance the
action ofthe state officials was cruel and
unjust, as the fight could and should
have been prevented thirty to sixty days
ago, before dollar of expense had been
incurred. Mayor Smith earnestly urged
the club to 90 on with the fight, but it
was decided to drop it in order to re-
move all possibility of disorder or blood
shed.
ID RUMORS ABOUT THE FIGHT.
The declaration of the Minnesota ath-
letic club that there would be no fight
was final, so far as that club was con-
cerned, and many wild rumors to the
contrary are entirely unfounded. As
stated by President Cowles, of the club,
''there has been great expense, which
would be direct loss to them of $l2 1000
but they submitted to the legal authori-
ties rather than precipitate trouble, and
would pay back money received for tick
cts. II is certain the fight will not
take place in this state, but no one
now knows whether it will come off in
another state. 1t is reported that the
Wisconsin Central road has train in
readiness to take the fighters and as
many of their friends as can be brought
together, over into Wisconsin, where
the fight is to be held on turf, but the
report is not confirmed.
HALL PLAYS BILLIARDS.
At late hour tonight Hall was play
ing billiards at the hotel and enjoying
life generally apparently with no thought
of any impending conflict. ~Fitzsimmons
also was resting. Parson Davies, HalPs
backer and trainer, says they will re-
main here until tomorrow to give thu