The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-10
ASNAREFOR THE GOVERNOR
Two Negroes TO Be Pitted TO Test the
Law on Prize Fighting

Johns County Replies to Letter
From the Governor by Saying That
He Will Uphold the Law.
Jacksonville, Fla, Jan. 9.-The mana
gers of the Duval Athletic Club set a
snare for its enemy, Gov. Mitchell, to-
day, into which they hope he will fall,
and thereby give them an opportunity to
test the Florida law in relation to prize
fights.
The snare in question is the arranging
Of contest between two negro sluggers
to take place at the opera house in few
days. The principals to the affair are
Perry Watkins, the negro champion mid
dle-weight of Florida, and Green Harris.
the negro champion middle weight of
Tennessee. The men are to fight for a
purse of $500, and have signed articles of
agreement identical with those signed by
Corbett and Mitchell.
TO TEST THE GOVERNORS SINCERITY.
The purpose Of the club is to test the
sincerity of Gov. Mitchell's opposition to
the Corbett-Mitchell mill, and also to get
decision from the courts as to the law
in relation to prize fights in this state If
DhC EONNl itOl anu VIC dullOilllCS Ol 1JuNdI
county allow the negroes to meet and
slug one another the club people will say
that the executives opposition to the pro-
posed Corbett-Mitchell fight is insincere,
and is dictated by other reasons than a
desire TO preserve the "peace and dig
nifty OF the state"
WILL TEST THE LAW.
If the authorities of the county, acting
under instructions from the governor,
prevent the fight and arrest the negroes,
the club managers say that they will
very likely be able to secure a decision
from the courts as to whether prize fights
are violatiye Of the state law In either
event the club hopes to be a winner and
down the governor.
When questioned in regard to the mill
between the negroes, the club managers
deny that they are promoting the affair,
but in sporting circles IL is said that this
denial is only made for a blind, and that
Manager Bowden and others have ar
ranged for the bout between the negroes
THE GOVERNOR ON THE ALERT.
Gov. Mitchell, however, is watching
the course OF affairs closely and it is
not thought likely that he will allow
himself to be trapped by the scheme.
The governor, in spite of the clubs talk
about bringing pressure to bear on him,
opposition to the fight. He is warning
the sheriffs of every county in which it
has been rumored that the club would
attempt to bring Corbett and Mitchell
together to be on the alert to prevent the
contest, and If unable to prevent it with
the forces at their disposal TO call on him
for assistance.
A LETTER TO SHERIFF PERRY.
The following correspondence between
the governor and Sheriff Perry, of St.
Johns county, where rumor has it that
the club has decided to attempt to bring
about the fight, shows how yigilant the
governor is, and how determined he is to
checkmate the club
The governors letter to Sheriff Perry
is as follows:
State OF Florida, Executive Department
Tallahassee, Fla. Jan. Sc. j. Perry, ESQ.
Sheriff Of St Johns County, Fla, St Angus
tine. F'la.-Dear Slr:-I sec by the papers that
James j. Corbett and Charles Mitchell, who
propose to disgrace Florida by one of their
brutal prize fights, have so amended their
agreement that said fight may take place in
either Duval or ST. Johns county, and you are
instructed to prevent said contest in St
Johns county, whether II is known or called
a prize fight, glove contest, or is known
or called by any other name. You
understand the situation in your county.
and if, in your opinion, you will not be able to
prevent said contest, with the means at your
command,
executive Of the state for such assistance as
you may deem necessary. l have confidence
IN your intelligence, and you are expected to
carry out these instructions to the letter by
preventing the proposed contest between said
parties in your county. Very respectfully,
h. L. MITCHELL Governor.
THE sHERIFF's REPLY.
To this Sheriff Perry, after consulting
Judge w. A. McWilliams, his attorney,
mailed, on the evening of Jan. s. the fol-
lowing reply:
Sherins ONCE, St. Johns County, st. Au-
gustine. Fla, Jan. 6, ls9l.-HOn. Henry l..
Mitchell. Governor Of Florida Tallahassee
Fla. Dear Sir-YOur communication Of Jan.
B. 1894. received and the contents duly noted
and in reply thereto would say it is now. and
always has been, my intention to uphold the
law in accordance with my oath OF office II !
10 becomes necessary to call upon yoI for as
sistance to that end, will not hesitate to do
so. Very respectfully, G, J, PEhRY
Sheriff St Johns County.
BRADY HOPEFUL.
William A. Brady, who is managing Cor
bett, to-day came up from MaypOrt, where
the champion is training. Questioned
by the Southern Associated Press corre-
spondent in regard to the outlook for the
fight, Mr. Brady said II am strongly of !
the opinion that the club people will be !
entirely successful in their efforts
to bring the contest TO
successful issue, and you may be sure |
that our end Of the affair will give them
all the support in our power OF course, |
if we knew, as a certainty, that the |
match would have to be abandoned, Cor
bett would still continue training until
officially notified that the meeting was
of. He Is under contract, and has never
yet had the slightest idea Of going out
side of his agreement with the club.
ENTERTAINING NO OTHER OFFERS.
"All of these dispatches you see saying
that either Corbett or myself have en-
tertained favorably any propositions
from Colorado, Cuba or any othec point
is merest rot and without foundation.
Many offers have been received, but we
have not even taken the trouble TO in
vestigate as to whether or not they were
bona fide and backed by an ability to post
the purse Those which have been
answered were all answered alike, and
to the effect that we are bound 10 the /
Duval club and that that organization !
will settle the matter"
Mr. Brady was also asked about the at !
tempt made by some unknown persons TO |
enter Corbett's sleeping room, reported |
IN these dispatches last night, but he re
fused to give any opinion as to the pur- |
pose of the intruder.
THE CLUE ISSUES STATEMENT.
The Athletic club tonight furnished |
the following statement to the Southern !
Aeeogiatad Dress pofPpg gDOudpnt.