St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-26


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Dec. 25.-In
view of the letter of III. w. Lang, Gov.
Mitchell's private secretary, to j. r.
Tysen. of this city, cmphatically stating
that the governor would use all means
III his power to prevent the Corbett-
Mitchell contest, the Associated Press
correspondent today interviewed j. F.
L. Bowden, general manager of the
Duval Athletic CLUB, regarding the gov
ernor's position and the prospect for
the contest. Mr.. Bowden is absolutely
confident of the ability of the club to
bring the contest TO successful Issue.
He said:
Il am more firmly convinced that the
match will take place than have been
al any period since the match was talked
of. In this sentiment my associates
unite, and so strongly do we feel that
the match will take place that we are
rushing the arena TO rapid completion
and making the necessary ana suitable
arrange .nentS."
But, Mi. Bowden, recent kilograms
from this city have been published. of a
character likely to impair the attend
ance, and have caused some anxiety
among those who have heretofore felt
assured that the contest would take
place. What have you to say in regard
to those telegrams?"
Just this: The entire talk and un-
easiness was occasioned bp the publica-
ton of letter written by H. W. Lang,
Gov. Mitchell's private secretary, on
Nov. 81. Its publication SO long after it
was written induced people to think
that some new utteranceS had been
made by the governor or by his author
Ity, when, III fact, such was not the
case. We do not say and have
never said or thought Gov. Mitchell
would not do everything that he conceiv-
ed was his duty to do under the law to
stop the match. We, at the same time,
are assured, by our knowledge of Gov.
MitchelPS sincerity of character,
that he will not interfere if
it should be demonstrated in an
authoritative way that the contemp-
lated match is not violative of the law
We expect at very early dat9-not
later than the present week-to get an
adjudication of the question. If our po-
sition is sustained, we will continue our
course. If, however, the contention
should be determined against US. we
will at once declare the match off. The
city council has passed an ordi-
nance legaliZing econtests gor
the character of this one contemplated,
and the public sentiment of the city,
county and state is Overwhelmingly in
favCr of the match coming off. AS TO
the legal view. l may add that the con-
sensus of opinion is in favor of the
entire legality of the clubs action. We
are meeting with every encouragement,
and the box seats are going rapidly to
the best people in the country"
suppose you should, by some nook
OF crook. fail to bring this contest off,
what about the attitude of your club as
to the redemption of these tickets?'
There is but one answer to that
question" replied Bowden "The club
is composed of gentlemen of wealth and
unquestioned standing as to integrity,
and Will say that every cent placed III
our hands for certificates will be re-
funded should the contest not come off
from legal interference
There are many other things" said
Bowden in conclusion, THAT | might
add as to the ability of the Duval
Athletic club tc bring off this
match. but their publication would
be untimely at this juncture. We
wish TO express our entire confidence
in Gov. MitcheIl's honesty of purpose to
enforce the law, and our equal strong
conviction that should a competent
jurisdiction decide that we are within
the law, no one will be quicker to obey
or more readily abide its adjudication
than Gov. Henry l.. Mitchell"