The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1901-02-07
The Soyernor States His Position
in Regard 10 the Proposed
JefIries-Ruhlin Fight.
A DETERMINATION 10 PREVENT II.
The Saengeriest Association Of Ciucin-
matt is Not Regular or Per-
manent Athletic Club.
IL Was Organized for the Parpose
of DodEinE the Law -Ra Brtaz-
fng on Contest Betr~eea
Two Great PeEIii.ss.

Columbus. O.. Feb. t.--Gor. Na>h
Sunday made the first public state
iacnt Of his position WIN regard to
tle proposed Jefrics-ElA.in hrht ~
Cincinnati, and the ,-rori.s.s si;,. I,
which his determination 10 prevent
the hght taking place in Ohio =
based The statement g contained
in a letter prepared and mailed
Sunday afternoon in repis 10 Pc
ufion from the John G. Roth Pack
iug Co. and 1000 other citizens OF
Cincinnati protesting against inter
ference with the fcht.
Gov. Nash says in his letter tt-t
he fears the petitioners have been
misled by erroneous legal sdvice. He
quotes the law relating 20 prize heht-
ing and boxing contests. and says.
he proviso upon which YOU rely.
reads as follows.
Provided that nothing in the fore
going shall apply 20 auy public r3m,
nosium. athletic ciui.. or any OF -
exercises therein. if written pcrmi4
sion for the specific purpose shali
first have been obtained from the
ciscs or exhibition are held within
the limits II municipal corporation
of the mayor of such corporation
"ln my opinion. the rrorIso only
covers exercises among fhe u.crlhr.~
90 the club anc exhibitions in VI ich
members only take part. Even 10
mv Interpretation IS too strict. 90
does not authorize the nrin-fur TO-
ccther of noted rri1c fighters and
the offering OF q large prize o. lho
one who prevails over the othe-.
"AEuln. The SaerE-rfcat AaSoci.-
ton Co. OF Cincinnati. o.. ANIL thr
exhibition which 30 propose. tn frsc.
is not snch an association ani not
such q contest as is contemplated
by Section 800. A. I uudcrstaad.
the contest between JeHrics and
Rnhun was arranged for by a LAWYER
by the name % Witte. before tho
association even had a legal exist-
cnce. It hss no gymnasium or hall
for athletic purposes. no distinct
mcmhership and none OF the para
phernalia % an athletic club. II was
organized simply FOR the purpose OF
dodging the law and bringing oN a
contest between two great hghtcrr.
The law can not and viii not hr
trifcd with in this manner. I earn
csfly ask YOU 60 look at the law as
7 have explained IL. and think YOU
will conclude with mc that you have
been misied. As I have already said
90 you in telegram. I am firmly
convinced that this affair. II it cosfes
OF. will be a prize fight"
stating his reasons for believing
tha; the alleged glove contest is SO
he prize fight. the governor refers
=, the moving picture contract which
states that the profts 90 be derived
from these pictures shall be divided
equally between the association and
fighter or fighters Continuing. he
saws. The winner Of the contest
is offered a larger prize. by thou
sands Of dollars. than the loser. This
VIII cause them 20 strike, not only
shiful. but hard. blows. You say
that your mayor and your spleuc.d
police force viii DC on hand and sec
that the law is not violated. You
express confidence ia tho integrity
and ability of the mayor. or the Do
lice commissioner and OF Your DO.
hcemcn. In this feeling / fulv
share. But I ana confident that tho
affair viii be beyond their control
il they do their best"
The fighters viii be very earnest.
The immense multitude OF people
gathered from distant states and cit
les, some Of them at least not pos
isrn~ he. fa~na
ship will be terribly excited. Such
men would brook no interference.
they viii have no control over them
selves, your police viii be overpower-
ed. and your city viii be visited with
disgrace. which YOU viii regret as
long as YOU live. Such fearful risks
must not be taken
Cincinnati, Feb f.-TAere has been
no change in the arrangements 20
give two glove contests at Saengcr-
fest hal on February IS. Members
Of the Saengerfest Athletic club who
were seen Sunday stated that they
will be guided by the advice of their
attorneys. The lawyers viii again ten
their clients that they have a perfecs
right. under section $3.50. Of the Re
yisec Statutes OF Ohio. TO give glove
contests under permit from the
mayor. This permit has been OBJ
iain~d and the promoters claim that
they viii so right aiong with prepa-
rapons for the contests The trial
OF Jeffries and Ruhlia before Squire
Koebiing on a charge that they are
training for a prize ighf was Yscst-
poncd Monday Until next Monday at
the request % the attorneys on both