The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-03-08
COCK FIGHTING
CUBAN LOVERS OF THE SPORT
PARADE BEFORE AMERICAN
GOVERNOR mAoooN.

r -
srnor standing bareheaded in the sun
on Sunday bowling to parade carry.
ing game cocks, and demanding the
revocation Of a law prohibiting cock
fighting made by another American
governor and enforced for FIVE years
by a Cuban President. was witnessed
here on Sunday. About al thousand
persons, mostly from curiosity, gather.
ed in front Of the palace at noon to-
see the long advertised demonstration
in favor Of fighting chickens. They
had to wait Gov. Magoon's return from
the conservation in the Church OF San
to cristo OF Father Jones as Arch
bishop of Puerto Rico. After these i'm
posing rites and attending the solemn
service OF comforting the insignia OF
the Cross and Shield Of st. Gregory on
Sir William Redding by the apostolic
delegate, Archbishop Aversa, Gov. Ma.
COON appeared on the palace balcony
to review the cock fighters.
The day was also the twelfth ami
versary OF the Critic de Barre, the day
which saw Cuba free. A great out.
pouring for the glorious rooster, cuba's
bird Of freedom, was expected. Not
more than 800 men were in line follow
ing fourteen carriages and escortetd
by sixty mounted men. All were lib.
erals, but not Zayasista could be
seen. Thus had the deadly feud be.
tween liberal leaders prevented their
forces joining in demand before the
interyentor for the re-establishment
of sport both sides have said was
the most important political issue of
the day.
At the head OF the array went a
Cuban flag with a gilded cock browning
the stan. An occasional horsema,,
carried a live rooster adorned with red
and spurred with steel. There were
banners from Jaruco. Punta Bravo,
and the Orient. VIVIAN Los Gatlos"
appeared on many. 1t was brave
sight. Three bands agitated the air,
cheers broke out, and loud vivas for
l+ob amSIlGduoS dnu lAos 1auoSp
or fighting cocks, marked the passage
of the line. Mai. Slocum. and Judge
schoenrich held up the governor. Gen.
Monteagudo, Seniors Nicholas &c Car
denas, Manuel Nunez, and Francisco
Montalyo presented to him the petit
tion that Gen. Woods order prohibit.
ing cock fighting be repealed. The
governor said he would give It his
careful consideration. Then Gen. Mon.
teagudo, addressing the crowd from
the balcony said:
"Cubans, we, the component parts
of this committee, are almost assured
that cock fighting will be authorized,
for we can rely upon the kindly heart
of our provisional governor. Mr.. Ma.
COON, and we have no doubt but the
Cuban people shall have their will"
With cries OF viva Mr.. Magoon" the
crowd moved on, the bands played
"Himmo Bayames' and tried "The
Star Spangled Banner" The small
showing made by the devotees Of the
cock fight created remark, as the city
was full of holiday makers. The re-
fusal of the two liberal factions to
fraternize. even on such an important
occasion, must account for It. Reports
from the interior, where similar dem.
onstrations took place, say the partici.
pants numbered in many towns many
thousands, orations we're made, and
all the town dignitaries Joined in a
demand for the Cuban national sport
cock fighting. 1t is said that plant
ers are opposed to its re-establish-
ment. as It keeps iaborers away from
the fields. encourages their gambling
propensities, and tends to general
worthlessness among class It is hard
to keep Of some value to the CON-
munity.
The general belief Is that Gov. Ma
COON has passed the question on to
Secretary Taft, who allowed cock
fighting in the Philippines outside Of
Manila. 1t is therefore counted prob.
able that Cubans in Havana may not
fight cocks, but may do so in the var
ious provinces If the respective gov.
ernors will let them, which no one
doubts.
Next comes the lottery. It Is stated
that Seniors Julio Fernandez Martinez,
Luis ortga, and Carlos olavauretama
are preparing petition to present to
Gov. Magoon asking him to establish
a national lottery. Their argument is
that all Cuhans like to play lottery
Just US much as they like the cock
fights, that tickets for the Madrid lot,
terry are sold all over the island, and
since the people win play. they might
rs well have lottery of their own
and more money for the public treas,