The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-06-16
The Governors Letter.

Following is the full text of Governor
Gillett's letter to the attorney general
ordering that the JohnsonJeffries fight be
State of California Executive ONCE,
Sacramento. June IA. 1910.-Hon. II. s.
Webb. Attorney General, San Francisco
Dear Sir; desire to cal your attention ,ad
the Fourth Of July next, in the city Of
San francisco, between Jim Jeffries and
Jack Johnson.
by prominent citizens Of this city. protest
Ing against this so-called fight and request.
ing that some action be taken by the proper
authorities TO stop the same.
has informed me that he does not propose
to interfere In the matter.
THE first session Of the legislature held
in this state In the year 1850 enacted
hight each other upon previous agree
ment upon wager for money, or for any
other award. This law has been amended
from time to time, but never as to make
Sin 1903 the legislature again amended
the law relating to prize fighting. While
the lay as amended permitted sparrlag
with gloves to be held by domestic In
corporated club, 1t did not remove the ban
which the laws of this state has always
ring exhibition under certain conditions
and restrictions is permissible under this
act, prize fight still remains a felony.
What Is Prize Fight
Therefore the question arises, what Is
prize tight and what Is 'sparring ex-
hibftionP The former Is crime, the lat
ter is lawful. 1t is claimed by many that
the contest soon to take place between
JefrieS and Johnson is to be a prize fight,
as that term Is understood In the law, and
therefore a crime under our statutes.
III this is true. 1t should be prevented,
but If carried out, the interested parties
should be punished as provided by law.
II believe that you should investigate
the matter and take such legal steps as
may be proper, In your judgment, II war
ranted by the facts, In presenting the case
to the court for It's decision, and asked
to have all interested parties enjoined
pending the hearing.
'our supreme court has never defined
prize fight, and believe that an oppor-
tunity should be given 1t to do so. Since
the amendment of the law in 1899 permit
ting sparring exhibitions, prize fighting,
under guise OF this amendment. has greatly
increased and has been tolerated in Cali
fornia until today our state Is mecca for
s;our people have the right to demand
that prize lighting shall cease In this state
and It Will II our present laws are enforced,
especially If our courts follow the decisions
OF the supreme courts Of our sister states
In defining a prize fight In Michigan a
prize fight exists when there is an ex-
pectation of reward to be gained by the
contest or competition, elLueFs TO De Won
from the contestant, or to be otherwise
rewarded, coupled with an intent TO infict
upon such contestant some degree of bodily
HARM. In Kansas the supreme court held
that the contest must be q fight and that
there must be an Intent on the part Of
the contestants to do violence to and In
fiict some degree of bodily harm on each
other, and the fight must be. for some
prize or reward. Other states have made
similar rulings.
Reviews Recent Battles.
''To show that the so-called ssparrihg
exhibitions held In this state I'M
der tile auspices OF incorporated athletic
but prIze dghts. / need but refer YOU to
the hles OF our daily papers win call
your attention to two or three OF the