Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-02
LATE NEWS BY WIRE.
Governor Mitchell's Flank Move
ment on the Pugilists.
THEIR CASE THROWN OUT OF COURT.
No Opportunity to Secure a Fa.
vorable Decision.
CITY ORDINANCE VETOED.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Jan. 2.-In the
criminal court of record this morning the
attorneys for Corbett and Mitchell ap-
peared, and, confidently expecting that
Judge Phillips would decide the case against
them. had their clients in the circuit court,
where arrangements had been made for a
hearing by Judge Call tomorrow, on a mo-
ton that a writ of habeas corpus issue
and the men be released.
But as soon the criminal court opened
j. II. Christie, the prosecuting attorney OF
the court, arose and said that no informa-
ton agaist 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 bondsmen
be relieved of any further responsibility.
The judge so ordered. and the case was
ended then and there
This is triumph for Gov. Mitchell and
the opponents Of the Duvai Athletic Club,
court. and thus prevented the rendering of
the favorable decision which the club had
hoped for.
II Is said that the governor put the screws
on Christie and forced him to this course.
Good lawyers say that the record case in
the county court and the binding over of
the accused to the criminal court were
sufficient information" for Attorney Chris
eC W nave prosecuted the case upon.
The Mayors Veto.
At the meeting Of the city council this af-
ternoon. Mayor Fletcher will send in his
veto Of the hve-ounce glove ordinance
The message contains about l,5OQ words
In 1t the mayor says:
1.-The bill does not impress me as having
been fairly conceived, and its real meaning
In good faith expressed. 1t means much
more than is indicated upon it's face 1t
means something very different from what
Its title indicates or casual reading
might convey. In this the council mayor
may not have been misled. 1t purports to
regulate exhibitions Of skill in boxing or
glove contests. and yet principally the only
regulation Is that gloves of not less than
five ounces in weight must be used In such
contests. The provisions that a license of
must issue permit where twenty-four
hours notice is filed with him are really of
small importance. Likewise the question
which makes it the duty Of the police to at
tend SUCH exhibitions and see that the pro-
visions of the ordinance are complied with
amounts to but little. All the chief of po-
lice could do would be to see that the weight
OF the gloves was correct and whether or
not the participants had a permit. There
may be any number Of rounds, of unlimited
duration. without intermission. In other
words the exhibition of skill or glove con-
tests may be a fight to the finish, and the
ShAch VI pOiiCc WouiQ nave no power TO do
more than to see that permit was held by
the participants and five-ounce gloves were
being used. ! am informed that the FIVE
ounce gloves are the customary gloves used
in prize fights and that the weight and pad
ding are all In the inside Of the hands, SO
that practically the participants would be
using kid gloves. Such an exhibition of
skill In boxing may become savage In the
extreme, such a glove contest may become
brutal. and yet be conducted in full COM
pliance with the provisions of this bill
Under cover of its title, back Of its verb
iage and between the lines, this ordinance
means prize fights without limit and without
restraint in this city. Looking beyond such
a transparent subterfuge as calling a fight
a glove contest, and disreearding the Jug
Cling with words. 1t is plain that such a law
would be public declaration indorsins
prize fighting and sanctioning such exhibi-
tons without restrictions by the city gov
eminent, and even lending them police pro-
lection.
In my judgment this would be a great
injury to the reputation and the good name
OF the city and would be a serious blow
at its peace and good order Without en-
iarging further. / feel 1t my duty, gentle
men. to, and do hereby veto the said bill. -
The council will probably pass the ordi-
nance over the veto. But the action In the
criminal court this morning is a bad set
back to the Duval Club.