Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-26
THE MITCHELL-CORBETT FIGHT.

Sports in Jacksonville Sure There
VIII BE No Interference.
In view of the letter from H. w. Lang,
Gov. Mitcheirs private secretary. to j. r.
Tysen of Jacksonville. Fla, emphatically
stating the governor would use all means
in his power to prevent the Corbett-Mitchell
contest, which letter has caused uneasiness
in sporting circles throughout the country,
reporter yesterday interviewed j. e. T.
Bowden. general manager of the Duval
Athletic Club, regarding the governors po-
sition and the prospect for pulling off The
contest AS will be seen from the inter-
view, Mr.. Bowden is absolutely confident Of
the ability of the club to bring the contest
to a successful issue. The interview fol-
lows:
Mr.. Bowden," the correspondent asked.
has anything transpired to cause you to
feel that you will not be able to pull off the
Corbett-Mitchell contest?'
Absolutely nothing" was the emphatic
reply Il am more firmly convinced today
that the match will take place than nave
been at any period since the contest was
talked of. In this sentiment my associa ties
unite, and SO strongly do they feel that The
match Will take place that we are pushing
the arena to rapid completion, and max
ing the necessary suitable and definite ar
rangements."
But, Mr.. Bowden, recent kilograms from
Jacksonville have been publisher of a char
acter likely to impair the attendance, and
nave 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 telesrams?"
Just this: The entire talk and uneasi-
ness was occasioned by the publication Of
letter written by Mr.. H. w. Lang, Gov
ernor Mitchelrs private secretary, on No
vember 81 Its publication so long afte: II
was written induced people to 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 cav
and have never said or thought that Gov
Mitchell would no: do everything that he
conceived 1t was his DUTY to DO under The
law 10 stop the mach. We. ut the same
time, are assured oy our knowledge of Gov.
MitchelPs sincerity OF cha -acCe- that he will
be equally slow TO interfere f It should be
demonstrated in IN authoritative way shat
the contemplated match is not violatIve of
the law. We expect at n very early Gate
not later than the present week--tc get An
adjudication of The question. If cur r.osi-
tion is sustained we will continue our
course; IL, however,, the contention should
be determined againsc we will at once
declare the matcn off. The city council has
passed an ordinance legalizing contests of
the character of this ore contemplated and
the public sentimepC Of the city county
and state is Overwhelmingly in favor CT .he
match coming off. AS 10 the legal view. I
may add that the consensus of opinion is in
favor of the entire legality Of the clubs ac-
ton"
How are you progressing with the sale
M certii1cates for your box seats"
Il do not know that the public is very
much interested on ihac point, bat VIII say
that We are meeting with every encour;.rc-
ment, and the STATS are going rapidly TO The
pest people N the coIn'rv
But, Mr.. Bowden, suppose you should, by
some hook or crook, fail to bring this contest
off, what will be the attitude of your club
as to the redemption of these tickets?''
There is )It one answer to that uues-
tion, replied Mr.. Bow len. This club is
composed of gentlemen of wealth and un-
questioned stan ling as to integrity. and 1
will say hat every cent placed in our hands
for certificates will be refunded should the
contest not come off because of legal into r
ference"
There are many other things" said Mr.
Bowden, in conclusion, that l might add
as to the ability of the Duval Athletic Club
TO bring off this match, but their publica-
ton would be untimely at this juncture
we wish to express our entire confidence in
SioV M1tchell'S honesty of purpose to en-
1orce the law, and our equally strong con-
vlction that, should a court of competent
jurisdiction affirm that we are within the
law. no one will be quicker to obey or more
readily abide its adjudication than Gov
Henry l.. Mitchell"