The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-15
InstrucIS Attorney General to Ascertain if the Proposed
 Contest is Unlawful
IF SUCH BE THE CASE
 THERE WILL BE NO FIGHT
Main Question to Decide is Whether the McGovern-Corbett Bout Is a Prize Fight or
 Boxing Contest.

Frankfort, Ky, September 14-Gover- nor Beckham decided today that legal steps should be taken to prevent the pro- posed contest between Young Corbett and Terry McGovern before the Southern Athletic club at Louisville a week from tomorrow, if 1t is to be prize fight and in violation of the --entucKy laws. He will tomorrow hand to Attorney General Clifton J. Pratt a letter requesting him at once to institute proceedings to de- termine whether the contest is to be a latter being permitted.
 The proceedings so the governor and attorney general determined will be an injunction suit filed in the Jefferson cir cult court at Louisville tomorrow seeking to restrain the Southern Athletic club from allowing the fight to be given under its auspices. The case will be heard in the lower court immediately and appealed to the court of appeals for final decision. The decision will be reached in ample time to prevent the fight if 1t is held to be in violation of the Kentucky laws on the subject. The letter of the governor to the attorney general reads:
 Letter of Attorney General.
 Hon. Clifton J. Pratt. Attorney Gen eral, Frankfort, Ky
 My Dear Sir-I have been requested by numerous citizens in the city of Louisville and by some in other parts of the state to use by power as governor to prevent a prize fight or pugilistic con- test, advertised to take place in that .ff ,1,,,. aEa Govern and one Corbett. It is represent ed to me by many good people that this proposed fight Is in direct violation of the laws of the state and that it would simply result in a brutal and bloody con- test between these two men.
 "On the other hand it Is said by many reputable citizens that it Is to a merely boxing contest for points, that under the articles of agreement between the contracting parties, there will be no violation of law and that the contest will be free from any brutality or inhuman conduct.
 Issue Must be Settled.
 This is the issue and 1t is one that should be settled before the event takes place. If the position first stated is cor rect then proper action must be taken to prevent such an open and fragrant violation of the laws of the common wealth. These prize fights are frequently very cruel and brutal and sometimes re- suit in serious consequences to the par ticipants. Our laws against them are very strict and they must not be violat- ed. No such fights shall be held any where in the state of Kentucky and the law against them must be rigidly en- forced. If. however, this proposed fight in Louisville does not come within the prohibition of the law. the question should be judiciously determined before hand, if possible, and I therefore request you as attorney general of the state to take such steps in law as you may deem advisable by enjoining the holding of the contest and thereby preventing 1t unless it is conclusively shown by the judgment of the courts that there is to be no vio- lation of law. In such proceedings you can rest assured that the power of the commonwealth is back of you, and if in the judgment of the court this contest would be contrary to law, then. that judgment will be enforced.
 Very respectfully
 (Signed) "J. C. w. BECKHAM.
 Governor oI Kentucky