The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-06
TO STOP PRIZE FIGHTS.

~ - OF PIXIE FILTH -
Congress Takes Up the Fitzsimmons-BIa-
her PugTistic Mill.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Elm the House
yesterday Delegate Catron of New
Mexico introduced a bill to prevent
Dan Stuart's pugilistic festival from
taking place on the American side of
the Mexican boundary near FL Paso.
The bill makes fighting misdemeanor,
punishable by imprisonment for not
less than five years. Mr.. Catron asked
for unanimous consent for considera-
ton, but Mr.. ssKnox, Republican, of
Massachusetts, objected and the bill
was referred. Later in the day it was
called up and passed without q di-
vision.
Delegate Catron of New Mexico,
speaking of his bill to prevent pugll-
ism and bull fights, said: This bill
will undoubtedly put a stop to the
whole business. 1t will become law
before the 14th. Then the managers
of this event may take their outfit into
Jaurez in Old Mexico across the bOr-
der from FL Paso.
II have talked with several Sena-
tors, who say that there will be no OPP
position in the Senate. Senator Gear
of Iowa told me that he would try to
get consideration tomorrow for the
bill. 1t will certainly be passed as
soon as Senator Dubois proposition,
which IS now before the Senate, has
been disposed of There is no doubt
whatever that the President will sign
the bill. If it has to go to the judi
ciary committee in the Senate there
may be day or two delay, but do
not think the Senate will send 1t to a
committee"
The following is text of the bill:
''That any person who, in any of the
territories, or the District of Columbia,
shall voluntarily engage in a pugil-
istic encounter between man and man,
or a fight between a man and a bull,
or any other animal, for money, or for
any things of value, or for any cham
piOnship, or upon the result of which
any money or anything of value is
bet or wagered, or to see which any
admission is charged, either directly
or Indirectly, shall be deemed guilty
of a felony, and upon conviction shalt
be punished by imprisonment in the
penitentiary for not less than one
year nor more than five years"
BY the term ''pugilistic encounter"
as used in this bill, is meant any vol
untary fight by blows by means of
fists or otherwise, whether with or
without gloves, between two or more
men for money or for a prize of any
character or for any other thing of
value or for any championship or upon
the result of which any money or any
thing of value is bet or wagered or to
see which any admission fee is
charged either directly or Indirectly.
Can Not Fight On Mexican Soil.
CITY OF MEXICO, Feb. 6.-Governor
Ahumada of the State of chihuahua is
in the city and said last night: ''On
no pretext will l grant a permit for
the fight on Mexican soil. 1 will go
further than that, for 1 will take
every possible means to prevent the
fight, as has been announced. 1 have
force of cavalry out scouting along
the frontier and L have ordered them
to arrest anyone entering Mexico to
take part in prize fight. I shall be
myself at Juarez on Sunday for the
purpose of stopping this business"
Stuart Says the Fights VIII Come on.
Ell PAso, Tex, Feb. 6.-''No power
can stop these fights" said Dan A.
Stuart when informed of the passage
of an anti-prize fighting bill by the
House of Represen tatives. ''They are
coming off just as they were adver-
sure as the principals are alive and in
condition to get into the ring on the
date set for the contests, so sure will
they fight, and fight to finish. If
anyone sees fit to doubt this, will
lay four to one for any part of $50, 600"
Ran Down a Gang of Counterfeiters.
CLINTON, Mo, Feb. 6.-Deputy Uni
ted States Marshal Halderman, as
sisted by Sheriff Bennett of this coun-
ty, made a catch of counterfeiters last
night. The gang is supposed to have
come from Polk county very recently.
They took up their quarters in a va
cant farm house seven miles from Clin-
ton. When the raid was made one
man was caught, one got away, and it
is thought there are two more in the
gang Three complete molds, Rabbit
metal and general outfit for making
dollars were secured. The prisoner
gives his name as James Burnett but
refuses to divutge the names of his
pals.