The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-13
NOT WITHOUT HOPE.
Sports still Expect to Pull OF the
Fight-A Defective Law.


LITTLE ROCK, Ark, Oct. Ex-Governor
Clarke's letters to Judge Duffie, Sheriff
Houpt and Dan Stuart. together with his
kilograms to Jim Corbett and Bob Fitz-
simmons, which were given to the public
last night. are the subject of much discus
sion here to-day. Ever since the Florida
Athletic Club changed its base of opera
tions from Dallas to Hot Springs the public
has been on tip-toe for some official utter
ance on the subject, but as the days passed
and no word came great many people ar
rived at the conclusion that the fight would
be allowed to proceed without interference.
1t was generally understood that the local
police officers at Hot Springs were favora-
BILE to the enterprise. and Governor Clarke
had more than once expressed his conf
dence in their ability to preserve the maj
esty of the law, it being inferred that the
pugilists would be arrested and fined after
the contest had taken place. The sentiment
here and at Hot Springs is Overwhelmingly
in favor of the contest, and even after the
disturbing element and some of Governor
Clarke's political enemies began a clamor
against it few people really believed that
the contest would not be posted to take
place. The letters published this morn
ing have, therefore, created great
sensation, and the public is eagerly await
ing to see what effect they will have on
matters at Hot Springs, and what the next
move will be.
1t is well known here that personally the
Governor is not violently opposed to the
proposed contest. He is. quoted as having
said recently that seven-tenths of the peo-
pie in Arkansas wanted it. that two-tenths
were indifferent in the matter, and that all
the clamor raised against it came from the
other tenth part of the population. When
Judge Dufiie brought the matter to the
Governors attention In an official way,
however, he was obliged to act, and he at
once began close inyestigation of his an,
thority in the premises. which resulted
in the letters referred TO. These
letters would seem to put q quietus on the
whole matter, but in investigating the law.
Governor Clarke has discovered legal
tangle that may result in giving the fig;it-
an unlooked-for advantage While ex-
amining the law relating TO prize fights, he
discovered that the act of 1891 making prize
fighting a felony was never passed. The
trouble was that the two houses could not
agree on the bill and it was sent to con-
was presented to the House it was adopted
simply by viva voce vote. The yeas and
nays not having been called. AS the law
of 1898 sought to amend this act. 1t would
seem that there is no law on the subject of
prize fighting in this State. The law re-
lating TO riots, unlawful assemblages, etc.,
passed in 1898. confers extraordinary powers
on the Governor. and could perhaps be
brought into requisition TO cover the case
should the Governor deem 1t necessary 10
go to extreme measures. BY this law the
Governor is authorized to call out the mil
itia without waiting for a request for as
sistance from local authorities. and is en-
powered to expel with force all disturbers
Of the peace. In this connection IL Is an
interesting fact that since the Legislature
refused to appropriate money for the main
tenance Of the State militia nearly every
company of citizen soldiers in the State has
disbanded- The more enthusiastic advo-
Gates of the contest have not lost conf
dence in the Hot Springs committee and
believe that the match will yet be brought
off on schedule time. Attorney Martin is
considered TO be one Of the best lawyers
Hot Springs committee posted a $1,000
guarantee that the fight would be brought
off successfully. Had there been any pos
sible doubt aoout the matter, those who
know Mr. Martin say that the project
Sheriff Houpt. OF Hot Springs, was I'm the
city tonight and held a long interyieys
with Governor Clarke. Said he: "My r1Ind
what course would pursue ] intended to
and would have succeeded. That crowd
and the law would not have been violated.
had made arrangements for five hundred
men, had the number been necessary. TO