Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-06-25
GOVERNQR'S ADVICE
TO PROMOTERS
OF LAS VEGAS
BATTLE
Long Awaited Executive Com
municatiOn Hailed With
Enthusiasm by Citizens Of
Meadow City Generally.
REMOVING UNCERTAINTY
INsUREs IMMENSE CROWD

Santa re, n A., June 3A-There
Will be no interference with the John.
son-Fiynn fight for the worlds heavy
weight championship here July BY
Governor w G. Mcdonald. providing
the county and city authorities "en-
force strictly she state laws" Those
laws relate chiefly to the suppression
Of public gambling.
This was made plain IN a formal
Statement issued BY Governor McDon-
aid a. sis. o'ciock tonight. But should
the civil authorities iaii to enforce tho
laws ana should conditions intoler-
able 10 law-abiding citizens arise" the
eevernor declares that Fall the power
that possibly can be brought into USE
viii be directed 70 destroy the evil and
vice attendant upon the gathering"
The governors statement IL lengthy.
he points out that aa early as Eeoru-
AIRY Q, while IN Las Vegas. he express
ed himself as opposed 10 the proposed
battle. He explains that a bill lesaliz-
inB such contests and ono prohibiting
them were introduced 81 the state leg
isiasure: that Astorroy General Prank
W. clancy rendered an opinion that
the iight could not DO prohibited leg
ally under laws then on the statute
books. He adds thar he sent a spec
iai message 10 the legislature urging
~ pe.ep aGtment..a tbasRnthprize flsht
law but the assembly adjourned with.
ont taking action.
In view Of the absence ~ specified
legal prohibition Governor Mcdonald
adds that all he CAN 40 Is 90 enforce
strictly existing laws. In conclusion
he leaves no doubt as Is his position.
declaring that ~ prize Nights are con.
sidered desirable In New Mexico two
thiree % the legislature can pass a
bill making such exhibitions possible
in the future" Indicating that any
SUCH measure mast be pnsoed over his
veto.
The siovernor's staiement.
The governors statement IN fun is
a. follows:
Az early as the eth OF February.
az reception rendered 10 me by the
citizens Of Las Vegas. expressed ms
opposition 20 the then rumored John
sgn-Flynn fight. The public press
quoted me correctly In the main IS 20
my stated opinion.
March ilth begun the first session
OF the New Mexico state legislature
Shortly after that two bills were In
troduced; one legalixing prize right
tng, The other forbldding The form
er passed the house Both we're
Hmothered In the senate committee.
ON the 18th day u May. the attor-
nny general Of New Mexico, the law
officer "a the state gave an opinion
90 the district attorney 81 San Miguel
county bearing directly on the above
mentioned fight, wherein he used the
Following language: III there we're
no statutory definition. whatever OF
what constitutes an ARRAY. there
would be more room 10 contend that
the proposed fight would be q vl0la-
tion Of law, then there Is In she pres
enee o. such q statute as fho one
above quoted, but the legislative have
inB given this statutory definition ll
must be held that any other Ia ex-
cluded
~ public sentiment q opposed 10
these exhibitions the remedy must BE-
devised by the people through thesr
representatives In the legislature BY
way of distinct and unmisiakn BE
statutory prohibition"
ON The 2bth day OF May. / sent q
f'.ftf ftt'f"atN" W AAif ANNiHAHNNNNf NN~
questing n 10 take some action and
closed as followsi
~ seems 10 me, however, that the
circumstances now demand that some
action be- taken immediately 10 the
end that the ciflzena 81 New Mexico
mHy understand what the legislative
body represents IN regard 10 the sub.
jecf herein mentioned. /. msHtit. real
zlnB 20 The full extent the obligation |
Of my oath, and my responsibility TO |
the people 81 New Mexico. DO not |
hesitate "a recommend that such Hc-
iiOn De taken az VIII surely prevent |
this prize fight and ~ far a. pos
sihle forever forbid any such con- /
tests being held On New Mexico soil"
Neither house took any further ac- /
ton than already mentioned
The flKht promoters backed and
encouraged by a fey citizens who /
seem % consider that they were be-
ycnd the reach of the law. kept /.
steadily on presumlng. az ] believe. II
thai there was no law 90 stop them
Were they Justified IN that beliefg
The attorney general said they were
The Legislature said that there would
BE- no more law on the subject /,
The Question now rs. Does the sifu- ,