St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-23
GOV. MITCHELL SAYS NO.
FL0RIDA'S GOVERNOR SAYS THERE
MUST BE MO FIGHT.
CONSERVATION ,MoNG SPORTS
The Governor Distinctly Says That
He Will Use All Lawful Means
In His Power to Prevent the
Fight-Club Men Say 1t Is Not
Fight, but a Glove Contest,
and Will Pull the Fight Off.

and Will Pull the Fight or.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Dec. 22.-The
Duval Athletic club received a setback
today in its efforts to pull off the Cor
bett-Mitchell fight. The attorney for
the club appeared before Gov. Mitchell
at Tallahassee and made application for
a charter. This the governor fatty re-
fused, stating that under cover of the
charter the club proposed to violate the
laws of Florida. OF course. this proved
a bomb to the sports, and their conster-
nation was further increased by the
knowledge that strong letter against
the tight had been written by the gov
ernor to J. r. 'Tysen, prominent gen.
tleman of this city. The letter is as fol-
lows:
Executive Department, Tallahassee,
Fla, Dec. 81, 1S93.-J. r. Tysen, Jack
sonviile, Fla.-Dear Sir: | am directed
by the governor to acknowledge the re-
ceipt OF your favor of the 18th inst. and
to express to you his appreciation of in
dorSement OF the course he had, from the
first announcement OF an attempt to
procure this prize fight to be held at
Jacksonville, resolved upon. He will
use all lawful means, should it be neces-
sary, to prevent the fight and to bring
TO punishment every person who aids or
abets any such disgraceful breach of
laws. A proclamation to all tue Sheriffs
of the state, calling upon them to use all
lawful means to prevent the fight and
promising them the aid of the entire
civil and military force OF the state In
the proper execution Of his order, has
been issued, and ne relies upon you and
all good law-abidIng citizens to aid him
and the sheriffs in the enforcing of the
laws of our state. Yours, respectfully,
M. j. LANG, Private Secretary.
When the above letter was shown to
j. E. Bowden, of the athletic club, he
said: Had not been assured by our
lawyers that there was no legislation
against such contest; had l not known
by personal canvass of the city that
we had the public sentiment with us;
had not Mitchel's silence given me rea-
son to suppose that he would lnterpose
no interjection, | would never have
gone into the matter. But, now | am
into 1t, must remain in it to the end.
This question:" continued Bowden,
'doeS not involve fight, the governor
and the remonstrance to the contrary
Notwithstanding. 1t has never been
advertised - never been contracted
for as fight. but as scientific
glove contest for points. We fully
realize that Gov. Mitchell is sincere in
his attitude in the contest, but we don't
believe that when our courts shall have
decided this matter, which will be very
soon, he will arrogate to himself
any authority in the premises or inter-
pose such interference. am one of the
most largely interested. but should the
decision be against us; should it be
shown that any law exists against
glove contest. the matter will be at an
end, so far. as am concerned. In that
case there would be no contest, and l
should abide by the decision CT the
courts"