The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-11
FIGHT MAY BE BARRED
IN THE WAY OF PROPOSED
JEFFRIES-RUHLIN CONTEST.
Has Not Beer Declared or, but Gin
~cinnati's Mayor Has Been Advised
Not to Issue Permit.

CINCINNATI, o., Jan. 10.-Many people
believe there will be no prize fight carnival
here next month. Rumors to that effect
were current to-day, but the directors of
the Saengerfest Athletic Club held a meet
ing this afternoon and afterwards gave
out this statement: ANY announcement
that the Jeffries-Ruhlin contest is off is in
no way authorized" The directors also
stated that the arrangements for the con-
test were proceeding satisfactorily. Con-
tracts have been let for remodeling Saen-
gerfest Hall and the workmen are now
busy at that place. The Saengerfest Club
has an old debt of so6. 900, and in addition
to the 5000 forfeit. contracts for over
s. ZOO in remodeling the hall, ETC., and it is
claimed that they will be involved for
about $4,000 unless the fight is pulled off.
When it was first proposed to have this
contest here for the benefit of the old
Saengerfest board. Mayor Fleischmann
promised that he would issue a license or
a permit for the fight. He still insists
that he will keep his word, but the permit
has not been as yet issued. Meantime,
his corporation counsel rendered an opin-
ion that the permit could not be legally
issued, and Judge Davis has instructed the
| grand jury to consider the matter. These
proceedings gave rise to the report that
the fight would be declared off. Mayor
Fleischmann passed the whole matter up
to the Saengerfest Athletic Association,
calling attention TO the opinion Of corpora
ton counsel and the Instructions of Judge
Davis to the grand jury.
Following is the Ohio statute under which
Corporation Counsel Wade Ellis advised
Mayor Fleischmann that the fight was
illegal. under which Judge Davis to-day
instructed the grand jury, and under which
the counsel of the ~Saengerfest Athletic
Club, as well as OF the ministers and other
opponents of the fight have been given
legal advice:
Section 7117.-When a sheriff, constable.
marshal or other police officer has reason to
believe that any person in his baiiiwick is
about to engage as principal or second in
any premiditated fight or contention, COM
monty called a prize fight, or is in training
or preparation to engage as principal in
such fight he shall forthwith arrest such
person and take him before a judge of the
Court of Common Pleas or magistrate,
named I'm Section 106 and give notice to
the prosecuting attorney, who shall imme-
diately attend before such officer, and upon
the proper affidavit being filed. prosecute
the complaint. Such officer shall hear the
witnesses produced, on oath, and. If he
finds the complaint true. order the accused
~ tbtCi 1lAIO a 6olaN II 0AllClC
sureties, in a sum not less than $500 or more
than SO, 900 that he will not engage i'm any
such fight or contention within one year
thereafter in this State or elsewhere, and
in default of such recognizance such officer
shall commit the accused to jail, there to
remain until such order is complied with;
but If, after the expiration of one month of
confinement, the accused is unable to give
such recogniZance, a Judge of the Court of
Common Pleas or Probate judge may dis
charge him upon his own recognizance, in
the same amount and with the like condi-
tions upon proof by his own afidavi and
other evidence. that he will never engage
in such fight or contention"
T.. CT. Cook, who Is here as the representa-
tive of Manager Brady and also in charge
of the arrangements for the athletic club.
is confident, since the meeting of the di-
rectors this evening, that the light will be
pulled off here as scheduled on Feb. 10. AS
yet he sees no reason for suspending the
operations which he has in progress.
1t is stated by some of the members of the
Saengerfest Athletic Club and others that
politics has entered into the controversy.
1t is well known that Senator Foraker, who
is a candidate for reelection this year, and
Governor Nash, who will head the Repub-
lican State ticket for a second term, are
opposed to having the fight here. George
II. Cox, who is at the head of the Repub-
lican organization in this county and on
close relations with both of the Ohio sena-
tors, as we'll as with the Governor and 9TH
ers, has come ont openly against the fight
on the ground that ii will operate against
the dominant party in other parts of the
State, especially in the rural districts.
Mayor Fleischfnan Is a Republican and in
close relations with the leaders,, but he in
sists that he gave his word long ago TO the
| Saengerfest board 70 issue a permit and if
it is possible for him legally TO do So, he
will keep his word.