Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-02-04
FIGHT
Will Not Take Place.
Nash Will Call Out the
Militia
If Cincinnati Doesn't t
Stop 1t.
Were Fearful of Its Political
Effect.
Boasting Of Non.lnterference Killed
the Fight.
Especial Correspondence.)

Especial Correspondence.)
Columbus, Feb. At is now abso-
lutely certain that the proposed fight
between Jim Jeffries, the heavyweight
champion Of the world, and Gus Ruh-
lin, the Akron giant, will not take
place In Ohio. Governor Nash has
taken the position that the fight will
not be allowed, even If it prove neces-
sary for him, adopting course never
before taken by an Ohio Governor ex-
cept upon request of the local authorl-
ties interested, to call out the state
troops and to send them to Cincinnati.
Such action will probably not be nec-
essary, for the promoters Of the con-
test will see the handwriting on the
wall and throw up the sponge without
further delay.
The thing is settled, but it is inter-
esting to consider the events which
have caused Governor Nash to take
this decided stand. His course was
undoubtedly taken solely for political
reasons, although those who really do
not believe in sparring contests or
prize fights at is hard to draw the di'
viding Iine9A have given him the bene-
fit of their moral support.
Some weeks ago a dispatch from
New York brought the news that, in
the articles of agreement for the big
bout, a line had been inserted to the
effect that there would be no interfer-
ence "by the Mayor Of Cincinnati or
the Governor of Ohio" Governor Nash
did not like this and caused the pub
lication of a statement to the effect
that he had entered into no agreement
not to interfere. Nobody supposed that
he had and the clause was inserted in
the articles solely upon the abiding
faith of the promoters. The matter
would doubtless have rested here, the
opposition to the fight would probably
have been feeble and fruitless, had it
not been for a mistake, from political
standpoint, made by Hon. Chas. A.
Baker of Cincinnati, the well-known
Democrat. In a speech at the Jack
son day banquet in this city, Mr.. Ba'
ker made it plain that the Democrats
were planning to make political capital
out Of the what was then supposed to
be a fact-that Republican Mayor
and Republican Governor were 60
ing to allow prize fight to take place
in Ohio. Mr.. Baker said:
"In Cincinnati we are about to have
put upon us in violation of law the un-
speakable outrage and indignity OF a
prize fight with its concamitants Of
thug and bruiser and assassin, and
this. too, with the disgraceful conni-
vance and permission of Republican
officials sworn to obey and enforce the
law. A body of clergymen Of that
city, prefacing their prayers with
the statement that they have been 10y
ally supporting the Republican politi-
cal machine that controls Cincinnati in
all of its departments, are appealing
to the man who absolutely holds this
same macniae In the hollow Of his
hand, beseeching him to interfere and
prevent this everlasting disgrace and
discontinue and blot upon Cincinnatis
name and fame"
George B. Cox, the willy, read the
morning papers next day, and, after
scratching his head for moment, de-
clded that the fight must not be held.
Those who know Mr.. Cox best have
some doubt as to whether his decision
was due entirely to that fine moral
sense which has always distinguished
him At any rate, the Governor was
advised that it would never do to al