The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-26
GOV. MITCHELL FIRM
State Militia Will Be Used to Sup
press the Prize Fight.
He Says COrbett and Mitchell Cannot
Pound Each Other in Florida
Sports Still Confident.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Dec. 25.-It is
stated here officially that Governor Mitch
ell will not allow the prize fight between
Corbett and Mitchell to come off any
where in the State of Florida The Gov
errors words are said to be as follows:
This prize fight between Corbett and
Mitchell shall not come off in Jacksonville
anywhere else in Florida. / have the
power TO stop it, and ! shall stop 1t II
live to exercise my authority when the
proper time comes. 1 have given the sher-
if Of Duval county instructions to prevent
1t. And he shall have all the backing
the State authorities can afford him in
his efforts to maintain the public peace.
and State troops will be at his call IL
necessary. 1 do not think the promoters
will be silly enough to resist the state
authorities, and they will certainly have TO
overcome the State authorities before the
fight can come off. OF that 1 am sure
In view Of the above utterances and the
letter from II. w. Lang, Governor Mitch
ellis private secretary, TO j. r. Tyson, OF
this city. emphatically stating that the
Governor would use all means in his power
to prevent the Corbett-Mitchell contest. a
reporter to-day interviewed J. E. II. Bow
den, general manager of the Duval Ath-
letc Club, regarding the Governors posi-
ton and the prospect for the contest. MIR.
BowClen is absolutely confident of the abil-
ity of the club to bring the contest TO a
successful issue. He said: al am more
firmly convinced that the match will take
place than have been at any period since
the contest was talked of. In this senti-
ment 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 ar
rangements."
"Mr. Bowden, recent kilograms from this
city have been published of a character
likely TO impair the attendance and have
caused some anxiety among those VINO
test would take place. What have you to
say in regard to those telegrams|
Just this: The entire talk and uneasi-
a letter written by H. W. Lang, Governor
Mitchelrs private secretary, on Nov. Il
Its publication SO long AFTER IT was w natr
utterances had been made by the Governor
or by his authority, when, in fact, such was
never said or thought Governor Mitchell
would not do everything that he conceived
1t was his duty to do under the law TO sop
the match. We. at the same time, are as
sured by our knowledge of Governor
Aiitchelrs sincerity of character, that he
VIII not interfere IL IL Dt
strated in an authoritative way that the
contemplated match is not violative of the
law. We expect at a very early date-not
later than the present Week-to get an
adjudication of the question. If our posi-
ton 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 ordinance legalizing con-
tests of the character of the one contem-
plated, and the pub lie sentiment of the city,
county and State is Overwhelmingly in IA
vor of the match coming off. AS to the
legal view, l may add that the consensus
of opinion is in favor of the entire legality
of the clubs action. We are meeting with
every encouragement. and the box seats
going rapidly to the best people in the
country"
Suppose you should. by some hook or
crook fail to bring this contest off, what
will be the attitude of your club as 10 the
redemption of these tickets?
There is but one answer to that queS-
ton" replied Mr. Bowden. This club is
composed of gentlemen of wealth and un-
questioned standing. to integrity, and
will say that every cent placed IN our hands
for certificates will be refunded should the
contest not come off from legal interior
ence. There are many other things, SAID
Mr.. Bowden, in conclusion, that / might
add as TO the ability of the Duval Ath-
letic Club to bring off this match, but their
publication will be untimely at this juno
ture We wish to express our entire con-
fidence in Governor Mitchelfs honesty of
purpose TO enforce the law, and our equally
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"