The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-25

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Jan. "a Judge
Rhydon M. Call reached forth his Judi
cial hand at o'clock this afternoon and
pulled the Duval Athletic Club out Of
the hole into which it had been cast by
the governor of Florida.
To the surprise OF almost everybody
the judge granted the injunction asked
for by the club, restraining Sheriff
Broward from in any way interfering
with the fight between James j. Corbett
and Charles Mitchell which is scheduled
to take place in this city to- morrow.
The order granting the injunction is
very brief, the Judge simply stating that
in his opinion glove contests" were not
violative OF that laws of Florida which
forbid fighting by previous appoint
ment."
The court room was packed almost to
suffocation by the sporting gentry and
when the import of the order was real
lied pandemonium broke loose. Cheer
after cheer came from the throats of
lovers of pugilism, and tho officials of
the court wore utterly unable to quell
the disorder. Judge Call grew red in
the face and pounded for order but tho
sports we're too overjoyed to be con.
trolled easily.
To say that the decision caused a
sensation in the city is putting it mildly
Nine men out Of every ton believed
that Judge Call would uphold the gov
ernor in his effort TO prevent the mill
and when his decision in favor Of the
club became generally known the
people were dumb-founded. At present
the club people are on top for tho first
time since they undertook to pull off
the match, but how long they will re-
main on top is a question.
II Governor Mitchell accepts the de-
cision Of course there is no further OBJ,
But the attitude of the governor has
been so determined in opposition to the
fight that many believe he will yet find
some way to circumvent the club.
1t is understood that the governor is
adverse to declaring martial law. In
fact Attorney General Lamar stated to.
night that martial law would not be de.
clared. This was on the authority OF 4
telegram from the governor himself.
Tho demurrer, among other things,
raised the question that tho laws of
Florida were prohibiting such contests
in the event the chancery court enter-
tanned Jurisdiction of the bill at all.
These pleadings and evidence placed
before the court all the issues. The
case was fully argued by counsel on
both sides. The court decided that the
laws of the State of Florida did not
prohibit such contests and the court
entertained the bill and granted an in
N or on hi h ~ -; l.
agents and attorneys from going upon
the grounds or interfering with or pre-
venting the contest.
The off nse, if any, in Florida law,
growing out Of such contests is a mis-
demeanor, and the same circuit court is
the final appellate court that would
hear and determine the same. The
court granted TO tho defendant until 10
o'clock a. m. of tho 25th to file further
answer II such could be framed.
The defendant at that time will file
his answer stating the same matters set
up in his aff1dav already on file, only
in II ore positive terms as to the nature
of the contest. Should the courts rul-
ing on the answer be the same as that
on the pleadings fled on the Gath, the
law Of the case is decided as far as the
circuit court of Duval county can decide
the same.
In view of these facts as every peace
officer Of the county must recognize this
decision it is not deemed proper that
such peace officers take further action
before the SOC allied glove contest occurs
Ifthe Ho'called glove contest should
occur the State of Florida will take
such further action as the facts will
warrant.
At 10 o'clock to, night nothing further
had been heard from the governor, and
the adjutant general in short talk
with the Southern Associated Press
correspondent said that no was resting
on his oars" simply and awaiting orders
from tho commander-in chief in ITALIA
hassee
81 don't know what to expect" said
General Houston, "for | am not a law.
yer and hardly know how to form an
opinion as to the next move Of the chief
executive"
The correspondent suggested that, as
the governor is a very mad man, ne
might act upon his impulses and de-
clare martial law.
Governor Mitchell never acted on his
impulses" was the adjutant generals
reply. "lIe acts in important matters
like this only on his deliberate judg-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ~s~eee~o~o9