Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-10-16
LAWS FULL OF FLAWS.
Besides, Lack of Funds Caused Most
of the Arkansas Militia
to DiSbanG.

Little Rock, AK. Oct. 12.--Gov.
Clarke's letters to Judge Dufhe, promis-
ing him support, to Sheriff Houpt, warn
ing him to do his full duty, and to Dan
Stuart, suggesting that he keep out of
danger, together with his kilograms to
Tim Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons. are
ne topic of discussion today. Ever since
chc Florida Athletic club changed it's
base Of operations from Dallas to Hot
Springs the public has been on tiptoe for
some utteranccS on the subject, but as
the days passed and no words came, a
great many people came to the conclusion
that the fight would be allowed to pro-
ceed without interference, as it was gen
orally understood that the local peace
officers at Hot Springs were favorable
to the enterprise. AS Gov. Clarke had
more than once expressed his confidence
III their ability to preserve the majesty
Of the law, it being inferred that the
pugilists would be arrested and fined after
the contest had taken place. The senti-
ment here and at Hot Springs is over.
whelmingly in favor of the contest. and
even after the disturbing clement and
some of Gov. Clarke's political enemies
began to clanors against it, the people
really believed that the contest would be
permitted to take place.
These letters published this morning
have therefore created Il great sensation,
and the public is eagerly waiting to see
what effect they will have on matters at
Hot Springs II what the next move
will be. 1t is well known here that per.
sonally Gov. Clarke is not violently op-
posed to the proposed contest. He is
quoted as having said recently that seven
tenths of the people in Arkansas wanted
1T, that twO-tenths were Indifferent in the
matter and that all the clamor raised
against 1t came from the other tenth part
OF the population. When Judge Dufie
brought the matter to the governors at
tention IN an official way, however, he
was obliged to act and he at once began
a close investigation of his authority in
the premises which resulted in the letters
referred to.
these letters would seem to put a
quietus on the whole matter, but after IL
vestigating the law Gov. Clarke has
discovered a legal tangle that may result
IN giving the fighters an u~nlooked-for
advantage. While examining the law
relating to prize-fights, the discovery has
Oeen made that the act of 1891 making
prlze-hghting a felony was never passed.
The trouble was that the two houses
could not agree on the bill and it was
sent to conference, and when its report
was presented to the house it was adopt
ed simply by a viva vocc vote. the ayes
and nays not having been called. AS the
law of 1893 sought to amend this act,
it would seem that there is no law on
the subject of prize-ighting III this state.
The law relating to riots, unlawful as
senablages, etc, passed il 1888, %confers
extraordinary p0@ers uPSn the governor
and could perhaps be brought into reaui-
sltion to cover the case should the gov
crlor deem it necessary to go to extreme
measures. By this law the governor is
authorized to call out the militia without
waiting for a request for assistance from
local authorities and is. empowered to
exDel with force all disturbers of the
peace.
In connection it is an interesting fact
that since the Legislature refused to up,
propriate money for the maintenance of
the state militia every company of SOL
dlers In the state has disbanded. The
more enthusiastic advocates of the con.
test have not lost confidence in the Hot
Springs company and believe the fight
will yet be brought off on schedule time,
Attorney Martin is considered to be ono
of the best lawyers in the state and act
ing upon his advice. the Hot Springs
company posted a $4,000 guarantee that
the fight would be brought of successful
". Had there been any possible doubt
in the matter those who know Mr.. Mar
tin say the project would never have
been attempted.