Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-12
JACKSONVILLE OBJECTS.
The Authorities VIII Prevent Prize-Fight-
ing There If Possible.
By telegraph to the Dlspatch.)

JACKSONVILLE. FLA, November H.
Mayor Fletcher has asked City-Attorney
Bars for an opinion as to whether or not
the city of Jacksonville has under its
charter the power TO prevent the Corbett-
Mitchell fight from taxing place here, and
the Attorney has informed him that it has.
In an interview tonight the City Attor-
ney SAID:
The Mayor has instructed me, should
there be no sufficient act now in force, TO
prepare an ordinance covering the matter.
and if necessary he will call a special meet
ing of the City Council at which the ordi-
nance will be made q law. Mayor Fletcher
has heretofore taken no special steps in
the matter, tor the simple reason that he
did not believe that arrangements would
be perfected insuring the holding OF the
match here, but now that Developments
have shown q strong probability OF TINS
city being selected as the place of meeting
the city government has decided that 1t 10
time il asserted itself aud prevent an oc-
currence which other localities have pro-
hibited from taking place in their yiclni-
ties"
In all probability very stringent ordi-
nance actually prohibItiory III Its provl-
sions will DO passed by the Council IN
very few days, and the announcement that
this meeting between the champions VIII
certainly not be allowed in Jacksonville
will prove severe blow to the thousands
of sports in this city, who have been
eagerly looking forward to All event which
they had begun to regard as certainty.
and il will doubtless cause bitter CON-
ment on the "slowness and lack Of enter
prlsen ON the part of the Florida metropo-
lis: but mem bers of the City Council say
that they are law-ablding, and that a
prize fight, although cloaked under the
name OF scientific glove contest" Will
not be tolerated within the confines OF
their Official Jurisdiction if there be any
legal method of preventing II.
But the Jurisdiction of the municipal
government does not extend beyond the
city limits, and there are at least half
dozen available spots within easy access OF
the city. Right across the st. Johns river
is South jacksonville with a ferry boat
and railroad bridge connecting 1t with
the city. and from that point three lines OF
railroad extend to Mayport, Pablo Beach.
and down the east coast 800 miles. 30 the
prospective action or the city government
Is of little significance as regards the fight.
There is another consideration. how
ever. The validity OF the present city
government is now being considered by
the Supreme Court of Florida. and it Is
not impossible that upon the date set for
the fight the present officials may be ousted
and their predecessors restored to power.
Twelve OF the leading white clergymen
of the city have united IN q call for pub
lie niass-meeting for next Monday night.
the purpose Of which Is TO arouse public
sentiment so that every possible means
will be employed to keep the contest from
being held here. Meanwhile Governor
Mitchell says nothing. and the Sheriff of
this (DuyaD county is understood 10 be
awaiting some words from the Chief Ex-
ecutiye indicating his Interpretation of
the law.
oBJEcrros AT NEW ORLEANS.
NEw ORLEANS, La. November 1l.-This
evening an application for an injunction
was filed by Attorney General Cunning
ham in the Civil District Cour. to prevent
tho Olympic Club from giving the Brown
Abbott contest.