Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-06-25

steps as may be proper in your jud e
ment II warranted by the facts in
pressing the case 10 the court for it's
decision and ask to have all inter-
ested parties enjoined pending the
hearing.
Our Supreme Court has never de
fined a prizefght and I believe that
an opportunity should be given IL
10 do SO. Since the amendment OF
exhibitions" prizefighting under the
guise of this amendment has greatly
increased and has been tolerated in
California until today our State is
"a Mecca for prizefighti g. much to
our discredit.
Our people have the right 10 de-
mand that prizefghting shall cease
in this State, and IL will If our pres
ent laws are enforced, especially IL
our courts follow the direction of
the Supreme Courts of our sister
States in defining a prizehght
The Governor then reviews reports
of the Moran-Marthy fatal fight and
the Nelson Wolgast fight to show that
they were real prizefights. He con-
cludes:
If these contests were not prize
fights then the historic battle between
Heenan and Sayres was not one.
have no doubt that the coming con-
test between Jeffries and Johnson
will be a repetition of the brutality
mentioned in the foregoing fights.
only on a larger scale.
IL "sparring exhibitions" as per
mitted by our laws. means fights
where men are killed. beaten into in
seac&Slity ava their faces "cut into
Ribbons are lawful acts then it is
time that the Legislature should in
terfere and make such exhibitions or
contests a felony.
Such contests are prizeiights not
permitted by the law and should be
punished as such. Those who engage
in them are prizehghters and make
their living by fighting each other
for prizes and rewards.
The whole business is demoraliziug
to the youth OF our State, corrupts
public morals, II Offensive to the
senses Of a great majority OF our citi-
zens and should be abated as a pub
lie nuisance and the offenders pun
ished.
II the court upon your petition re-
fuses TO grant the relief prayed for
therein and permits the parties in
terested TO proceed as advertised -
them then I desire you on behalf Of
the people OF the State 90 gather all
evidence possible and IL the contest
Is carried out as advertised and the
parties fight for purse OF money "r
for a reward and infict upon each
other bodily injury chen you are to
cause the arrest OF the principals and
those interested with them in pro-
noting the fight and try them on
a felony charge for violating section
412 OF the Penal Code.
Yours truly.
]. y. GILLETT
Att6rney-General webb said after
studying the Governors letter 20
him;
The letter OF the Governor ia a
positive and peremptory command
addressed TO this office 70 prevent the
s-Johnson fight. The Governor
states that facts as presented TO MIN
show that the fight, II held, will be
a prizehght and the prizehghts are
prohibited by the laws OF this State.
This command the Governor has
the right and power 10 make and II
is the duty OF this ONCE 20 comply
with Il. / shall take such action IS
the law warrants 20 prevent the dSAt
being held.
The Governors instructions Will
be followed 10 the letter. / am not
At liberty 20 state just the charac-er
OF the proceedings that will be in
stituted, but such action or actions
as may be necessary to accomplish
the ends desired by the Governor
will be brought"
Tex Richard was plainly ratified
when he heard OF the Governors
action. II is the FIRST time he has lost
his nerve since he began the cam
paign to pull on the battle. He said
this afternoon:
LAS soon as / receive Official mott
fcation OF the Governors action l
shall order all work stopped on the
fight arena and move our camp at
once TO Salt Lake City.
1T seems strange that the Cover
nor should interfere at this late hour
especially after his many public state
ments that he would not do so. We
can't buck Gov. Gillett, and IL he is
determined to stop the mill / will
Immediately arrange 20 stage IL in
other parts. Reno and Ely, New. and
Salt Lake City are prepared to han
die the fight, and can put 1t on for
July A.
Manager Woods OF the st. Fran
els Hotel has just telephoned that he
will call a meeting of business men
OF the city tomorrow to protest
against the Governors latest move.
The business men OF San Francisco
will lose a barrel of money II the
fight must go TO other parts. Only
today sold 1000 tickets 10 some
of the richest men OF Canada, who
would have spent a great deal or
money here"
Jack Johnson when seen at his
training quarters took the Cover
nor's decision philOsophically. He
said. with a grin that showed all his
gold teeth:
Il am ready to go to any part of
the world TO defend my title, provid-
ing the contest cannot be held here,
but I can't understand why Gov. Gill
lett should take such an arbitrary
stand so late in the day. Why, no
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