The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-26
MIR. B0WDEN CONFIDENT.
HE SAYS THE CoRBETI-MITCHE
FIGHT Will TAKE Place.
He Explains the Long Letter-Expects to
Get an Adjudication OF the Matter
During the Present Week.

/
| JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Dec. 25.-In
view Of the letter from II. w. Lang.
Governor Mtchelrs private secretary. to
j. r. Tysen. Of this city. emphatcally
stating that the Governor would use all
means in his power ITO prevent the
Corbett-N Mitchell contest which letter was
furnished the Southern Associated Press
and has caused uneasiness in sporting
circles throughout the country. the South
ern Associated Press correspondent to-
day interviewed j. Z. T. Bowden, gem
erai manager OF the Duval Athletic Club.
regarding the Governors position and
the prospect Of pulling off the contest. AS
viii be seen from the interview Mr..
BOwden is absolutely confident Of the
ability of the club to bring the contest
10 successful issue. The interview fol-
lows:
Believes The Fight VIII Come on.
"Mr Bowden," asked the correspon-
dent, "has anything transpired to cause
you to feel that you will not be able
10 pull Off the Corbett-Mitchell contest2"
Absolutely nothing" was the empha-
tic reply. Il am more firmly convinced
to-day that the match will take place
than / have been at any period since
the contest was talked Of. In this scnti-
ment my assistants unite, and so strong
ly do they feel that the match will
take place that we are pushing the
arena to rapid completion and making
the necessary suitable and definite ar
rangements."
But Mr.. BOwden. recent kilograms
from this city have been published of
character likely 10 impair the attendance
and have caused some anxiety among
those who have heretofore felt assured
that the contest would take place. What
have you to say I'm regard to those
telegrams?"
That Lang Letter.
Just this, the entire talk and uneasi-
ness was occasioned by the publication
Of a letter written by Hon. n. W. Lang,
Governor Mitchells private secretary. on
November 2lst. and which was publish
ed on December 3D. in the Jacksonville
Times Union. This letter was also
furnished the Southern Associated Press.
It's publication so long after It was
written, induced the people 10 think that
some new utterance had been made by
the Governor or by his authority when.
in fact such was not the case We do
not say and have never said or thought
that Governor Mitchell would not DO
everything that he conceived it was
his duty 10 do under the law TO stop
the match. We at the same time. are
assured by our knowledge of Governor
Mitchelfs sincerity of character that he
Will be equally slow 90 interfere If il
should be demonstrated In an authori-
tatlve way that the contemplated match
Is not violation of the law We eX-
pect at a very early date-not later than
the present week-to get an adjudica-
tion Of the question. If our position is
sustained we will continue our course:
if however the contention should De
de,euoined against us. we will at once
declare the match or"
Public Sentiment win DO II.
"The City Council has passed an ordi-
nance legalizing contests Of the charac-
ter Of this one contemplated and the pub
lie sentiment Of the city, county. and
State is overwhelmingly i'm favor Of the
match coming Off. As 10 the legal view. L
may add that the concensus Of opinion is
in favor Of the entire legality of the clubs IS
action"
How are you progressing with the
sale Of certificates for your box seats2"
A'Al hiA'W Aidi lIt pubic IS very
much interested on that point. but will
say that we are meeting with every en-
couragement. and the seats are going
rapidly 10 the best people I'm the country"
But. Mr. Bowden. suppose you should.
by some hook or crook, fail 10 bring this
contest off. what will be the attitude Of
your club as 10 the redemption Of these
tickets2"
There is but one answer to that ques-
tion,' replied Mr. BOwden. This club |
is composed of gentlemen OF wealth and |
unquestionable standing as 20 integrity. |
and / will say that every cent placed i'm |
our hands for certificates will be refunded |
should the contest not come off from
legal Interference"
Ccnfdsnce in the Governor.
"There are many other things" said |
Mr. BOwden. in conclusion. that | might |
add as 10 the ability of the Duval Ath- |
letic Club 10 bring Off this match but |
their publication would be untimely at this |
Juncture. We wish TO express our entire |
confidence in Governor Mitchens hon |
esty OF purpose TO enforce the law. and /
our equally strong conviction that. should |
a court OF competent judgment affirm |
that We are within the law, no one will |
be quicker % obey or more readily abide |
It's adjudication than Governor Henry l..
Mitchell"