The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-31
STIRRED UP THE OFFICIALS.
They Say Governor MitchelI's
Attack on Them was Wanton.
The Judiciary of JaoksOnvillc DENY That
There w1s any Collision Betweeeu
Them and the Duval Athletic Club, and
are Jumptng on the State Executive
for Saying so-The Situation ar Pro.
emit Unchanged.

JACKSONVILLE Fla, Dec. s0-The
prize fight situation remains practically
unchanged. No fresh deliverance has
come from Governor MITCHELL but his
alleged accusation made yesterday that
tho Duval county authorities were in
collision with the promoters OF the
contest has been a. fruitful theme for
discussion in judicial and sporting
circles all day.
OF course the judicial authorities deny
that they are in collision with the
Duval Athletic Club in its efforts to
pull of the contest and they are jump
ing on the governor for what they call
his wanton attack on the judiciary. The
governors statement. that he will re-
gard no decision as to- the law in, ref
erence to prize fights save that OF the
supreme court has also, caused much
bitter comment from the officials of the
lower courts.
In spite OF the denials. however. of
the governors charge, that there Is col
fusion in the test case, there is, an i'm.
preston abroad that there ia q "nigger
in tho wood pile" somewhere in the,
court proceedings which resulted in the,
arrest OF Corbett and Mitchell. just
how dark the ''coon" is or, lust where
he is located has not been settled. The
opinion is that the arrest Of Curbett and
Mitchell was part of a well-lai1 soaeme
to get 'snap' judgment on The Florida
law in reference to fights. What effect
Governor Mitchelfs prompt denuncia-
ton Will have remains to be seen.
N hn
Club managers are weakening in their
determination TO have the fight, they do
not show IT, Manager Bowden still ex
presses confidence that the courts will
decide that no Florida law prohibits
glove contests and is going ahead pre-
pairing the aroma He says that by
January 10 everything will be in readi-
ness at toe fair grounds where the con-
test is TO occur, and that long before
that time the courts will have decided
in the clubs favor and the opposition of
Governor Mitchell will have subsidized.
However. this may be, it is certain
that Governor Mitchell will take his
own methods to stop the fight, and that
Attorney General Lamar will not ap-
pear for the State in the habeas corpus
proceedings in the matter of the arrest
of Corbett and Mitchell, which will take
place here next week. A letter was re-
ceived to day from tho attorney general
absolutely refusing to appear for the
State in inc proceedings. IL is an open
secret that the opinion of the attorney
general, stating that prize fighting was
prohibited by the Florida law, was pre-
pared after consultation, with the
chief justice of the State. 1t is thought
this Is why Governor Mitchell insists
that the supreme court shall pass upon
the question, knowing we'll that the de-
clsion OF that tribunal will be hostile
to the fight.
The club people have NJ ade much of
the fact that the Jacksonville city coun-
Gil has passed an ordinance permitting
contests with five.o ounce gloves, but
they have not mentioned tho interest
ing fact that Mayor Fletcher has
already prepared q veto for that ordin-
ance. When the veto is suggested they
say the council will pass the ordinance
over the mayors veto, but thi is by no
means certain, as a two-thirds vote will
be required to override the vote.
There was u lot Of gossip to day about
how the governor proposed to stop tho
fight. 1t was said that he would declare
martial law in this county and adopt
other heroic methods to prevent the
fight. Tho truth is no one save Gov
ernor Mitchell himself knows what
Governor Mitchell is going to do That
is what makes the situation, as regards
tho fight, so doubtful and so interest
ing. Meanwhile Corbett and Mitchell
arc training away at Mayport and St.
Augustine, respectively, and roasting
one another whenever they can get
reporter to listen to them.