The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-03
WHITE FEATHER SHOWN.
Refuses to Sign . More Liberal Paper
Governor Mitchell Wins Point In
the Fight to Prevent the Mill

| JACKSONVILLE, FLA. Jan. z-Cnar-
ley Mitchell. alleged boxing champion Oh
England. self-styled champion OF the
uor,d has shown the white feather. or
something that very much resembles that
article. despised by all lovers OF the
prize ring. Despite his alleged consuming
desire to face Corbett in the arena me
developments Of to-day seem 10 indi-
cato that the Englishman is ready TO
soueeze through any looD-hole to escape
meeting the champion Of America. That
aud NOT tbe alleged knockout Of the Duval
.,hleti, C.rub by Governor Mitchell, IN the
courts here this morning. Is the real SEN
cation OF the day In sporting circles.
Alter Solicitor Christie. under coercion
from the Governor, refused TO nave any
thing to do with the test case prough'
By the Athletic Club. by which the pro-
rnoters OF the contest hoped TO nave lhe
Florida law relating to prize fights set
tied SO as to preclude the possibility OF
any interference on the day set for the
fight the managers OF the club began
casting about for ways and means To
null off the fight in spite of the Governor
and the courts.
Mitchell Refused to Sign.
Accordingly. Manager Bowden, OF me
club. sent Harry Mason over TO 81 Au-
gIstinc to see Mitchell and induce nm
n sign amended articles Of agreement.
The original articles, at Mitchelrs sugges-
tion. provided that the fight should occur
"within two miles of the city OF Jackson
Vile" The club to-day wished to chanse
this clauie SO as to have IL READ lhal
the fight should occur within the state
of Florida The purpose of the CLUB was
that il might be free to Celect the pace
i'm the State FOR the contest where 1t was
Toast likely there would be interference
.on tho part of the authorities. When the
situation of affairs was explained 10
Mitchell. and he was asked TO ailix his
came TO the amended articles or agree
mont. that worthy fatty refused 10 sign.
He said that he would never put MS
name TO the paper unless the site LOT
the contest was definitely fixed. Harry
Mason urged that the change was simply
ore Of precaution. in view Of the Cover
moss hostile attitude. but to no avail.
The Englshman absolutely refused 10
sign. and Harry Mason returned 10 JACK
sonville staggering under load OF us
gust -. H. .o;.;
II should be remembered that the origi-
mol articles stipulate that the fight should
occur within the state OF FLORIDA ms
was changed to within two miles OF the
CITY of Jacksonville" at Mitehelrs su6-
gestion
WIS Never in Good Faith.
II looks now that Mitchell never really
desired 10 60 up against the American
champion. and is taking advantage OF
the difficulties under which the ciup Is
laboring. owing TO the hostile attitude Oh
20, faf "A
The managers of the Athletic club are
in an angry state of mind tonight and
are roasting the Englishman in sulphur
Gus STYLE. Manager Bowden said tonight
10 the Southern Associated Press cor
RESPONDENT that he would 20 over 10 ~.
Augustine tomorrow. taking along repre-
sontatives OF tae press associations. and
force Mitchell TO sign the amended ar
ticles or brand him 10 the world as nav
ing shown the white feather.
Governor Mitchell. Flank Movement
In the criminal court Of record this
morning the attorneys for Corbett ana
Mitchell appeared. and. confidently ex-
pecting that Judge Phillips would decide
the case against them. had their clients
i'm the circuit court where arrangements
had been made for a hearing by Judge
Call tomorrow. on a motion that writ
OF habeas corpus issue and the men be
released.
But as soon as the criminal court open
Ell. j. &. Christie. the prosecuting attor-
ney Of the court. arose and said that no
information against Corbett and Mitchell
had been filed with him or with the judge
or clerk, and he saw no reason. therefore.
why they should not be released, and
their bcndsmen be releos ed OF any further
responsibility
The judge so ordered and the case was
ended then AMI there.
THIS IS Triumph f1r Governor Nit he'll
and the opponents OF the Duyal Athletic
Club. for it showed the case ont of the
Circuit Court AMI thus prey erted the rem
dcrins Of the favorable decision Whicn
the club had hoped COR.
/. Is said that the Governor put the
screws on Christie and forced slim To this
course. Good lawyers say that The record
case H. the County Court and the binding
over OF tha accused to the Criminal Court
Here sunc lent information" FOR Attor-
ney Christie 90 have prosecuted The case
iron.
Passed Oyer the Mayors Veto.
Another sensation of the day was the
monkey and parrot time in the Jack
sonvlle City Council this evening over the
ordinance which was passed some time
ago permitting contests with tve-ounce
gloN es. Mayor Fletcher sent II back
with a veto message. in which he de-
nouHced the ordinance as an attempt 10
legitimize brutal and degrading prize
fights" The Mayor said that the phrase
glove contests" was merely a euphim-
ism for an inhuman exhibition, and that
those who passed the ordinance knew it.
The Mayors strong language stirred up
the supporters of the ordinance. and they
replied to the Mayor in no polite terms.
The ordinance was finally passed over the
Veto only three councilmen voting TO
sustain the Mayor
There is a story current that il the
club can induce Charley Mitchell 10 sign
the amended articles. they have a place
in view in Florida where the fight can