The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-27
Gov. NORTHEN FEELS HURT.
The Criticisms on His Action Felt to
be Unjust.

10aAS bhe 0tdLe 3 Expenses as oIna11
as Possible.
! Atlanta, Ga, Jan. 26.-Gov. Northen
resumed his duties in the executive office
| to-day, wearing that worried lookn His
two days campaign against the pugilists,
| with all the perplexity with which it was
| involved, was trying to his nervous system
and he confessed to being pretty
well tagged out, but it is
| his sensitiveness to the criticism
that is being passed upon his action, and
not so much the fatigue of his duties,
that annoys the governor. 81 have been
criticised not only by the papers," said
| the governor, "but have received some
| very abusive letters in regard to the
course took in this prize fight matter
| am always glad to have the
general commendation of my public
actions, yet recognize that my official
acts are open to criticism by the people,
and L am always glad to have an ex-
| preston, whether favorable or unfavora-
BILE, so that may learn what is the tenn
| per and spirit of our people. But at the
same time every criulcism has its sting"
CRITICS LACKING IN INFORMATION.
The governor thinks much of the criti-
| cisIn is due to the limited information of
the public as to the facts which influ-
| enced him to act as he did and, after re-
| viewing the situation, he does not even
now see how he could act otherwise, If it
were all to be gone over again. 1--WE are
all liable to make mistakes" he said.
But / only did what l conscien-
tiously believed to be my duty. [
had no personal feeling in the matter
| and it is absurd to characterize my action
| as the result of my own cranky notions
about such things. Personally, | know
nothing of glove contests, or prize fights
know them only by the reputation given
| them by the states and by the
| people whose civilization will not
tolerate, and whose laws will not
allow them. Therefore, on general prin-
ciples, believing the people of Georgia
would not accept and allow brutal out
rage not tolerated by New York, Califor-
mia, Louisiana, Mississippi or Mexico,
| proceeded to determine whether or not
there was sufficient authority in our law
| to prevent one occurring in Georgia. -
The governor was absolutely convinced
| that the sluggers would meet in this state
| and feels that Gov. Mitchell sold him out,
| so TO speak, by throwing up the sponge at
| the critical moment.
EXPECTED AN INVASION.
81 had reliable information from gen.
tleman in the city whose position give
| him the opportunity to know positively
| that the fight would take place in Geor-
| gia. He came to my residence and put
me on notice and could not for a mo-
menG doubt this information. / had in
| formation from other sources also that
this fight would be attempted
on Georgia soil / was war
ranted in believing this,
not oaly because of personal statements
| and many communications received, but
| by what appeared to be the determined
action of the Florida officials in prevent
ing the fight in that state, and what
seemed to be the equally determined pur-
| pose of the athletic club to have the fight
| take place somewhere"
Gov. Northen, when he was satisfied
that the fight was coming this way, Sc
| cured the best legal opinion as TO the in
! tended violation of the law, and then be-
fore his preparations to get in scoop on
the sluggers, he put himself in communi-
cation with the civil officers in the border
counties, and through them sent three
| trusted spies into Jacksonville to keep
him posted. Their reports up to the last
indicated that the fight was to be had in
| Georgia.
WANTED TO KEEP DOWN THE EXPENSE.
II desired to make the expenses of the
| defense as little as possible" continued
| the governor, land accordingly / went to
| Waycross to get positive and absolute in
formation on two points. / went to deter
mine, first, the purposes of the club, and
second, whether the civil forces would be
sufficient to resist. The reports that
went TO Waycross to take command of
the militia myself are pure nonsense.
| had instructed Col. Gordon to
await my action at Waycross. After
| full investigation | found that
several places had been selected
| and much larger extent 'of territory
must be protected than could be protected
by the civil authorities. | therefore sup
| plemeuted this force by calling on the
militia only after | found it necessary.
Gov. Mitchell had declined to appear in
court some weeks ago when an effort was
made to determine the power of
the state to suppress this pro-
posed fight. The frequent statement
that appeared in the papers that he
would not respect any less authority than
the supreme court, made it doubtful
what he would do. He had martialed
his forces and every indication compelled
me to believe the fight would not be
allowed in that state, even after Judge
Cali had granted the injunction.
THE RAILROAD PREPARATIONS.
"The railroad authorities at Waycross
informed me that they had a requistion
| for all their cars at Jacksonville, and a
trustworthy citizen of Georgia lone of
the three spies sent out to keep the gov
ernor posted) came from Jacksonville in
person TO inform me that the Florida
| Central and Peninsular road had massed
large number of cars and had ordered
an unusual number Of conductors to re-
/ port for duty on the morning of the 18th.
1 AS late as IL :15 o'clock on that date ! re-
ceived the following telegram which made
me feel sure that Gov. Mitchell had de-
/ termined TO prevent the fight in his state,
and that Georgia was sure to be the
! meeting ground, unless my efforts to pre-
| vent it were successful.
| ''Folkston, Ca Jan "a To Gov Northen,
| WayCross, Ca: One OF Sheriff Wainwright s
/ deputies has returned from BoulOgne. He re-
J ports he was informed IL train "a stopped at
Camp Perry, the hight would take place there.
The tain did stop and put OFF Instruments
w. w. GORDON"
| OBJECT OF sATTERLEE's VISIT.
Before calling upon the Savannah mil
! itary Gov. Northen sent Lieut. Satterlee
to test the sentiment of the First reg
| iment. He did not want TO call them out
unless he was sure OF their heaFtiest CO.
I operation. Lieut. Satterlee made the fol-
| lowing report Of his mission:
State Of Georgia. Ad1utant and Inspector
| General 5 ONCE, Atlanta, Ca, Jan. -, lh98.--
4 10 His Excellency Gov. William j. Northen;
/ C4OVernOr-fu accordance with your verbal