The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-17
PUGILIST MITCHELL LANDS
Taken from the Steamer Majestic on a
Writ of Habeas Corpus and Set Free.
Immigration officials Defeated in Their Effort
10 Send Him Back to England on the Ground
That He Was ON Ex- Convict.

NEW YORK. Feb. 18.-Charlie Mitchell.
the English heavy-weiGht prIze-fghter.
who arrived. last night. on the steamship
Majestic was detained this morning by the
chief of the quarantine guard. who refused
to let him land. because he held Mitchell to
be an ex-convict. When the Majestic
reached her dock at S:45 A. NJ, the inspector
went on board. and, under instructions
from Commissioner of immigration Weber,
informed the English fighter that he could
not land just at present. He was somewhat
surprised, but not demonstratlve, and at
once sent ashore for counsel.
Mitchell finished term in prison only q
short time ago. and was therefore held to
be an ex-convicr and amenable under the
law which prohibits the landing of alien
immigrants W ho have been in prison, pro-
viding it is the intention of the immigrant
to settle in this country. Colonel Weber is
sued the orders that caused Mitchelps de-
tentlon. He instructed the Contract Labor
Bureau to investigate the case. and if facts
warranted 1t. the English prize-fghter was
to be removed to Ellis island, where Col.
Weber had decided to hold Q rigid exami-
nation into Mitchelrs case. The words
allen immigrant" said Colonel Weber
this morning. constitute q defect n the
law. / called attention to it before the
bill was passed. No remedy was offered.
because any amendment would have
caused delay in the passage of the bill.
/ have continually called the attention of
theimmigratlon commissionerst to the defect
as exhibited in the ordinary workings of
the law. but the trouble has continued.
The courts have decided that an allen ina-
migrant Is one who comes here to settle.
permanently. II that is the intention of
Mitchell he will be dealt with in the same
manner as any other alien convict would
be dealt with. We will make no exception
in his case" Colonel Weber further stated
that If the law provided for alien passen-
the Englishmsn could show that his visit
was merely fol- b short time and that he in-
tended to return to England. the present
law would not Affect HIM.
The lawyers summoned by Mitchell de,
cided to apply at once for writ of habeas
corpus for the production of Mitchell In
the United States Court. Before the ar
rival OF the writ, and while the slugger
chatted with his friends In the saloon, q
mild-faced lad came In, handed Mitchell
folded paper and then turned and went
out. .Well. now. call this cruel" ex-
claimed the man who wants the belt
"Listen to this" and be read the document
civil suit, accompanied by the complaint Of
the plaintiff. John L. Norris of Springfield
o., who claimed that he had served Mitch
ell In 1890 as detective. when the pugilist
was making his way through Louisiana.
after the New Orleans fight. Norris wants
500 for his work. Il never saw the man
but once or twice IN my life, know" said
Mitchell. 'and. as for hiring him, never
thought of such O thing. / would like to
know what use l could have for o de-
tective."
Soon after / P. M. Mitchell left the ship
and met a large crowd of curious folks,
some of whom shook their fists at him as he
grammatical prophecies of what "Jimmie
Corbett" would do for him. The pugilist
reached court at 2 p. NJ. When Justice An
drews came In MitchelPs lawyer said that
Mitchell had been detained on the ground
that he was q convict under the general
laws prohibiting convicts. paupers and
others from immigrating. He had been
sentenced to two months for simple as
sault and had served his term. He could
not be considered an habItual criminal.
Major Wanzer. acting chief of lmmigra-
tion, was in court without counsel He
made no return to the writ. except to show
q telegram from w. ID. Owen. Superintend-
ent of Immigration. of Washington, asking
that Mitchell be detained. The telegram
said it had been reported that Mitchell had
been convicted of q crime involving moral
turpitude When Justice Andrews asked
if Major Wanzer had any reason in law for
had only detained him on the telegram.
He said he did not believe there was any
ground for OBTAINING Mitchell.
Mitchell. you arc discharged" said JUS
tice Andrews. Mitchell was congratu-
lated, shook hands all around and departed.
Corbetts Two Challenges.
NEW YORK. Feb. 16.-W. A. Brady, man.
ager of James j. Corbett. champion heavy
weight puRilist of the world, has de-
posted one check of Sl0 600 to bind match
with Charles Mitchell. and another of s.. 500
to bind o match with Peter jackson, of
Australia. under the following terms, signed
by Corbett:
lam now prepared to meet Charles Mitchell,
of England, and arrange match for next De-
cemher to box TO finish for the championship
of the world, $4,000 q side, and the largest
purse offered by the Coney Island Athletic Club.
the Olympic Athletic Club. OF New Orleans, or
the Crescent City Athletic Club. of the same
city, the club TO have no power to stop the same
| or 10 declare draw. 1t must be 10 O finish. IL
Mr.. Mitchell accepts proposition insist on his
| depositing the whole amount OF the side bet
! (Sl0,000l at once. I make this unusual de-
earnest
thereby accept Peter Jacksons challenge, un-
der the following conditions: II Charles Mitchell
| does not accept my terms for contest with him,
| finish next December. for $4,000 q
side. and the largest purse offered by
the above named clubs. IL Mitchell
acceps the above proposition 1 viii make a
| matcn Immediately with Peter Jackson To tight
| seven months after / meet Mitchell If Sir.
Mitchell should "iunk." Mr.. Jackson is at liber-
| TO take his lMitchelrsI place in December
next.