The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-08-01
MEAD SITS DOWN
ON PRIZE FIGHTING
OFFICERS MUST ENFORCE LAWS
Matter tho Executive Has Had Under
Consideration for Some Time
Text Of Letters.

OLYMPIA, July 27-Following a let
ter on the subject received from Chief
of Police wappenstein of Seattle, Gov
ernor Mead has taken steps to put an
end to prize fighting in the state of
Washington. With this object in view
he has written a letter to the sheriff
of Kitsap county directing his atten-
ton to the state statutes prohibiting
prize fights, and rendering the assist
ance of the state when necessary. for
the enforcement of these statutese. AL
legged sparring exhibitions which are
declared to have been nothing less than
prize fights have been conducted at
Pleasant Beach, in Kitsap county. re-
Gently, and these exhibitions have led
to the present correspondence between
the governor and sheriff of that coun-
~.
Governor Meads letters to Chief of
Police wappenstein and Sheriff. Pitt
are as follows:
"Mr. c. W. wappenstein, Chief Of
Police, Seattle, wash.-Dear Sir: am
in receipt Of your letter OF the gath
inst in relation to violations OF the
statutes regarding prize fighting.
IT infer that you refer to the alleged
violations Of those statutes at Pleas
ant Beach. in Kitsap county. This mat
ter has already been under considera-
ton, and was the subject Of a COM
munication to the prosecuting attor-
ney of Kitsap county from this office
on July s. The prosecuting attorney
of Kitsap county has reported under
date Of the 18th inst that he Is inves-
tigating the matter, but that no COM
plant has been lodged with him so
far of violations of the law at Pleasant
Beach or elsewhere in Kitsap county.
He is making a further and full in
vestfgation OF the whole subject. In
his letter Of the 18th inst. he gives me
this assurance: AS to any further
sparring matches or whatever they
may be called, you may be assured
that they will be conducted strictly in
accordance with the statutes or will
not be permitted at ALL Yours very
trulyN
ALBERT E. MEAD, Governor"
"J.ly rs. 1906
Mr. Joseph Pitt, Sheriff. Port Or
ehard, wash.-Dear Sir: am in re-
ceipt Of the following letter from the
chief Of police of Seattle:
"'Of late there has been a number
Of prize fight promoters who have been
driven out OF other states making
the state of Washington their head
quarters and giving what they call
boxing exhibitions, which are only sub
terfuges for prize fights. Wherever
these people are tolerated there has
been trouble for the police department
by reason of the undesirable people,
such as toughs and thieves. who gather
wherever these fights are tolerated.
az will be able to protect the citi-
zens of Seattle from this class Of peo-
pie by reason of the state law govern
ing these fights, but II the sherihs in
nearby cities would stop these exhibit
lions It would make my work easier
and at the same time be benefit to
the whole state
I'm regard to this I would respect
fully call your attention to the provi-
sions of the statute prohibiting prize
fghting in Washington, found especial
ly in sections 1919. 7S42-43-44-45. Bal
linger's Annotated Codes and Statutes
of Washington, and kindred laws on
this subject. This is a matter to en-
list the earnest attention of the sher-
IFS and other police officers of the
state who are charged with the err
forcement Of the statutes. I am always
glad to extend my cooperation and
assistance to the officers in enforcing
the laws. l trust you will look into
this matter thoroughly. Yours very
truly,
"A. E. MEAD, Governor"