The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-10
TRAP FOR THE GOVERNOR
SCHEME ny WHICH THE sP0R7s
HOPE TO ExsNxRE HIN.
A Mil Between Two Negro kiuggers to
DO Arranged I'm Advance Of tho Big
Fight to Test tho Law.

a snare for It's enemy, Governor Mitchell
into which they hope lie will fall anC
thereby give them an opportunity TO test
the Florida law in relation TO prize-nshis
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. negro champion middle
weight Of Florida, and Green Harris a
negro champion middle-weight OF Ten
ncssce.
They arc 20 fight for purse ~ 800. and
have signed articles OF agreement identi-
cal with those signed by Corbctt and
Mitchell.
The purpose Of the club Is 20 test the
sincerity of Governor Mitchch's opposi-
ton 20 the Corbett-Mitcheil mill, ana
also 90 get a decision from the courts az
20 the law in relation to prize-hghis In
this State IL the Governor and authori-
ties Of Duval county allow the negroes
10 meet and slug one another the cluD
pcople will say that the Executives op-
position - the proposed corbett-MitcheH
fight is fnsIncere and dictated by other
reasons than desire 20 preserve the
peace and dignity OF the Stale II the
authorities OF the county, acting under
the fight and arrest the negroes, the club
managers say that they will very likely
be able 10 secure n decision from the
courts as to whether prize-fghting Is in
violation OF the State law. In either
event the club hopes 10 be winner and
down the Governor.
When questioned I'm regard 20 the mill
between the negroes. the club managers
deny that they are promoting the affair.
a.. tls..r a. to a
denial is only made for a blind. and that
Manager Bowden and others have ar
ranged for a bout between the negroes.
Tho Governor still Determined
Governor Mitchell. however. IS watching
the course Of events closely, and il Is not
thought likely that he viii allow himself
10 be trapped by the scheme. The Cover
nor. I'm spite Of the clubs tax about bring
ing pressure to bear on him. Is showing no
signs Of letting up In his opposition TO
the fight. lie is warning the sheriff Of
every county in which IL has been rumored
that the club would attempt 10 bring Cor
hett and Mitchell together TO be on the
alert TO prevent the contest. ana If unable
10 prevent IL with the forces al their dis
posal. to call on him for assistance. The
following correspondence between the
Governor and the sheriff Of St Johns
county, where rumor has II the club has
decided 10 attempt 10 bring about the
fight. show how vigilant the Governor Is.
and how determined he is TO checkmate
the club. The Governors letter to Sherin
Perry is as follows.
state Of Florida Executive Department
Tallahassee, Fla. Jan. 8, 1884,
TO {. j. Perry. Esq. Sheriff St. Johns
County. ST. Augustine. Fla.
Dear Sir-I see by the papers that
James J. Coybctt and Charles Mitchell.
who propose 10 disgrace Florida by one
or their brutal prize fights. have so
amended their agreement that said fight
may take place in either Duyal or St.
Johns county. Whether it 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. |
ana II, In your opinion, you will not be |
able TO prevent said contest with the /
means at your command.you are instruct |
ell to call upon the Executive of the State
Tor such assistance as you may deem nee
essary.
have confidence i'm your intelligence. |
ana you are expected 10 carry out these |
instructions 10 the letter by preventing !
the proposed contest between said parties |
i'm your county.
tSigneO III. l.. MITCHELL.
Governor"
The sherin's Reply.
TO this Sheriff Perry. after consulting
Judge w. A. MacWiliams. his attorney.
mailed on the evening of the Sth the fol-
lowing reply:
"Sherff's Office. st. Johns county.
st. Augustine. Fla.
Hon. Henry l.. Mitchell, Governor of
Florida. Tallahassee:
Dear Sir,-YOur communication of Jan
Iary g. 1894. received. and the contents
luly noted, and in reply thereto would
say IL is now and always has been my |
mention to uphold the law i'm accordance
With my oath Of Office. II il become
necessary to call upon YOU for assistance
o that end viii not hesitate to do So"
statement Of the Club.
The Athletic Club late TONIGHT furnish
"a the following statement to the South
nrn Associated Press correspondent:
ITO the Public: The time has now
arrived when il becomes necessary 10
restore confidence TO the outside world
N the ability OF the Duval Athletic Club
% bring to a successful issue the inter
national glove contest between Corbett
md Mitchell. This club has deferred. TO
Is great detriment. until this late hour
n making this announcement with The
rope of beng able to test by the courts Of
~. I
las done everything in its power so To
10. So honorable ana ahove-hoard have
'een our actions, ana so thoroughly did |
We want a rigid test of this ease that
Ifter causing the arrest OF Corhctt and
'lltchell. we suggested to the prosecuting
attorney OF This county that Governor
litchcll be appriSed Of said arrest and
nat he be asked 10 instruct or request
Nt0rney-ceneral Lamar 10 appear and
prosecute the case for the State.
me Governor. In cOntemptlble tele-
ram TO the prosecuting attorney Of this
ounty. charging him with being i'm col
ison with the promoters OF this contest
ihich charge is without foundation or
ruth. and by insinuations and threats of
emoval. caused the county attorney
'ithout apprisinc us Of his actions. TO
ole prosequi the case. thus thwarting
> tafter waiting upon him for three
aysJ an Application was then made |
or writ OF habcas corpus. Then nm
pportunity would have been afforded ,
9th parties 10 argue and submit law on
9th sides of the case. this club before
and agreeing 10 abide absolutely nv the
ccision Of the court. and declare the
latch off should IL be shown that there
as any law i'm this state against this
ontcst. The Goverpor. I'm this un-
and outrageous telegram TO
ne county solicitor. claimed that ne
ould abide by no decision other than
nat OF the Supreme Court, the highest
ldiciai power in the State.
Refused to Submit to the Court.
This club. through its manager. commu- /
Gated with Governor Mitchell. and ask |
him TO submit the case with the con- 4
Ill a.