The Butte inter mountain., 1902-09-30
CITY OFFICIALS DECLINE TO BE IN
TERVlEWED IN REGARD TO
THEIR FUTURE POLICY.
PROMOTERS ARE GOING
AHEAD JUST THE SAME
Some OF the Aldermen Are in Favor OF
the Contests So Long as Objection
able Features Are Efaced-Clltford
and Ope to Be Matched-Bout Must
Be Pulled Oh by October 8.

There is still some question whether
the city administration will continue to
oppose boxing contests held at the opera
houses. The action taken in stopping the
Clifford Hawkins bout has placed the ad-
ministration on record as against the ex-
hibitions.
None OF the city officials will assume
the responsibility of stating officially that
no more contests can be held in the city.
Chief of Police Reynolds bucked in
great style when asked what his policy
would be in regard to future contests.
At first the chief was of the opinion that
the action taken against the last bout
would place the city officials on record
as opposed to the contests, but when asked
for an interview or statement he de-
clined to be quoted.
II don't know anything about it," said
the chief impatiently. IL am tired OF
standing for all these things. It's like
asking me whether | would make an ar
rest before crime is committed. II I'm
told to stop contest I'm going to do it.
Otherwise | have nothing to say for pub
lication."
Aldermen Are Divided.
Several OF the aldermen who were con-
ccrned in stopping the last contest cay
they will stand by the action and that
no more fights can be pulled off in the
opera houses. Others are strongly in favor
OF the contests so long as they conform
TO public opinion and are not in the brutal
class OF prizefghts.
So far i'll Butte there have been 10 oh.
jectionable features connected with the
boxing contests and there have been no
occurrences which could be described as
brutal or offensive The bouts have all
been clean cut and have been kept within
bounds and the Objectionable features have
been eliminated. This has done much to
put boxing on higher scale in the opinion
OF the public and so far there has been
little opposition to the holding of genuine
boxing contests.
There are two more matches talked OF
and the promoters are ready and willing
TO guarantee that there will be the same
good conduct which mas found favor in
the past.
One OF the matches talked OF and which
may be made within the next "a hours is
that between Clifford and Ope Whether
this match will be made depends now
upon Opic and his hackers, as Clifford
has given notice that he will take on the
Centeryille boy on any terms The only
stipulation Clifford makes is that the con-
test be pulled off by October 8.
No Open Dates.
This is likely to prove stumbling block
in the path of the promoters owing TO The
fact that there is no thcater open for that
date. The Broadway has but two oper
dates, October = and 10. The Grand and
family theaters are both filed on tn
dates asked for and if the contest come,
of at that time it will have to be on the
fiat.
The promoters of the LaFontise ant
Mccarthy contest have received assur
ances that with local management, aud loca
contestants there may be some chance O
pulling off that match in the city, bu
nothing official has been given out as vel
he matter was canvassed in the of
hce OF the chief of police before any ac
ton was taken in the Clifford Hawkir
contest said one alderman today, "and i
was agreed that if the request of Alder
man Ryan was granted and the figh
stopped 1t would place us on record a.
opposed to fights and subject us to sever,
criticism both ways Some of the alder
men insisted upon the action being takcr
even II 1t stopped all future bouts and /
was with that understanding that Chic
Reynolds at last consented to send police
men to the opera house with orders to sto,
the bout Because Of this action | don
see how any more fights can be pulle,
OH IN the city unless those aldermen bacl
down, 1t isn't Chief Reynolds fault. II
is just as broad-minded in sporting mat
ters as any other lover of athletics, bu
he must obey orders and conform to III
law" y -