The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-07-19
THE GOVERNORS LETTER.
HE WRITES To THE SHERIFF Or
LAKE COUNTY.
The ROby Infamy Must BE Downed,
So he Says-The Governor Talks Out
Like n Real Honest Gentleman Who
and Evidently Means Exactly What
He Says-"Roby Must Co."

Governor Matthews was asked Tues
day what he thought of the situation at
Roby now, to which he replied: IT am
utterly disappointed and Disguised in
Sheriff Friedrich and believe that It is
hopeless to expect the assistance o. that
official. His conduct is difficult to un-
derstand, and no reasonable excuse can
be offered for his failure to do his duty.
I wrote to the sheriff a letter, which L
thought was plain, and 1 believe one of
even ordinary intelligence could under
stand. He wrote to me that he could
not understand it and would come down
to see me- He did not come, so the first
thing Monday morning 1 telegraphed
him, as follows: My letter was plain.
Do not see why difficult to understand.
If exhibition advertised tonight, insist
that arrests be made of manager princi-
pals, seconds, referee and names Of
credible witnesses taken OF Sheriff
Friedrich, nothing now can be expected
and other steps will have to be taken.
l had long talk with Judge Gillett the
other day. He is just as anxious to sup
press this outrage as 1 am and it may be
possible that action will be taken indie
pendent of the sheriff or local officials"
The governor would not say what
action would possibly be taken" and
still seems to be in doubt as to just what
his powers and duties are in the matter.
The letter which the governor sent to
the sheriff was certainly instructive
enough and If it had been obeyed there
would have been no fight on Monday
night.
The following is an exact copy of the
letter:
July 8. 1893
Charles II. Friedrich, Sheriff of Lake
County. Crown Point, Indiana:
DEAR SIR-I regretted to have not
met you Saturday, June "a, while at
Crown Point. While there, however, L
had long talk with your deputy, Mr..
Maynard, and left with the understand
ing that you would attend the meeting
of the Columbian club the night of the
26th and make arrests as at the previous
meeting. l need not assure you that l
was disappointed that you failed to do
this. 1 have strong desire to see this
club and its exhibitions suppressed, and
still hope and believe this may be &C
complished with your aid and that of
the prosecuting attorney OF Lake county.
''But to do this there must be no let
ting up in the efforts. /, of course, will
not ask you or any other official to ex-
coed their duties or go beyond the limits
of the law. But you will be justified to
go to the fullest extent. In this you will.
1 am sure, receive the moral support Of
your fellow-citizens, for | believe the
moral standing of the citizens OF your
county will compare favorably with that
of any other in the state, and you will
find them equally DESTROYS of seeing the
laws properly indicated and enforced.
Il beg to assure you again that you
have nothing to fear. nor have your
bondsmen, in suits that may be insti-
tuted against you and them for the
faithful discharge Of your official duties.
These suits are merely a game Of bluff
and 1 hope will not intimidate you In
the least. I insist that should they hold
another meeting that you will be pres
ent, with competent deputies, and arrest
as you did before not only the referee
and the principals in the fight but also
their seconds, the manager, and all who
may be accessory to the violation of our
law, or assisting in any manner to do so.
By no means neglect to arrest the man
ager-O'Malley. I believe his name is.
If you will procure warrant you can
arrest him on the former charge e iso
If necessary to take them to the nearest
justice, L would suggest that you take
one with you who will bind them over
for their appearance. You can no longer
have the least doubt as to the inten-
ton and purpose Of this Columbian
club. It is prize fighting, and can be
called by no other name. 1t is clearly
your duty to leave no stone unturned
that will aid in suppressing this evil
and rid your county of disgrace that
should not rest upon it's people.
IT am considering another plan, which.
if II is found to be legal, will simplify
matters so far as you are concerned.
and may be more effective. OF this I
will write you later on, but in the mean
time. l beg and insist, that you proceed
upon the above instructions until you
| hear further from me. do not propose
to relax my efforts I'm this direction, and
| trust you may be Influenced by no news
| paper reports TO this effect. So far as
| these are concerned. they have not as a
| rule, been fair or truthful in their repre-
| sensations, whether through friendliness
| to the club or personal emnity to myself,
| or from whatever cause il matters not.
| Through you largely the law must be
| enforced. and as heretofore stated, so far
| as my powers extend am ready TO rem
| der you all assistance that I can.
Having faith in your ability. and de-
sire 10 relieve your county Of this stigma
| that rests upon it, and a still greater
desire to faithfully. earnestly and fear
| lessly discharge all duties devolving
| upon you, am very respectfully yours,
CLAUDE MATTHEW'S"