Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-07-21
ATHLETIC EXHIBITIONS AND PRIZE FIGHTS

In view of the fact that the athletic exhibitions scheduled "
have taken place near this city ne 29lh were "
f be governor and this and previous exhibitions had een
~ M authorities on the ground that they were prohibited under
t anti nrize fight state will be interesting TO "o" e
d observe the outcome when Jim Mullen matchmaker It" "e
Ar, Athec club makes OF the Illinois state boxing law
Mullen has show scheduled Tor July 81 winch ne VIII a'elP
90 through with and the Aurora ministers nave heu So''
sl 70 that made in Jue by the Ottawa Ministerial association
which was effective Mullen bases his decision to make '''I o'
an ,nnon given him by Michael L. lgoe melhuer Oh e ~
] former United States district attorney and one OIL me e
inc LAWYERS Chicago who says that boxing as conducted AT
is within the law. -. IL, Toto Matt
White some Years ago by gentleman who wanted his OPINION as 10
the value of piece OF property he had acquired WITHOUT @S
it. Upon being Intercepted Mr. NmeS reply WAS 10 YOU l
my real opinion do You want me to make you leel Go
~ much as if Mr. igoe wants make his client iee good al
hooh with his great ability he will doubtless make great S
sustain the opinion given To the unmtaed reads very u m
without difference Mr. lgoe in the OPINION referred
10 sap to the telegram recently forwarded to Attorney
General Rr,ndage bv the aurora Ministerial alliance wherein com
] made concerning the athletic contests conducted by YOU
in the vicinity of Aurora YOU advised ia the goo men VINO
have made the complaint are apparently carried ava" M'L
that prize fights being conducted at your athletic elI vi
nothing could be further from the truth The complaint OF te
ministers refers certain sections OF the Illinois criminal cat
sections which reference IS made nave TO Go WIN PIe
and boxing or sparrng exhibitions. c
This law was enacted in 1869 at time when prize nS's'
that is when men engaged brutal contest with their pare
nukes the survivor be the winner without regard to the s
of contest vogue was fight to hnis and the END ol
such an event the winner given prize usually based upon per
receipts while the loser had to content himself WIN
LITTLE or nothing The enacted to prevent prize ghng as
thus defined 49,.
Another of the law prohibits parrg or box
mo exhibitions AS an example what meant by tins provision
1o6n Sullivan Travelled all the world giving boxing or spar
RING exhibitions He would exhibit his prowess with sparrng part
ners to all who cared pay the performance Sch eNho
tons are a violation of the law ,,..
But while prize fighting and boxing or sparrmg exhibitions
as thus defined come within the provision OF the law the law covers
nothing else The which YOU conduct are neither prize
fights nor boxing sparrng exhibitions he contestants engage
in an athletic under contract winch strictly provides Inc
pysca condition which they must present themselves the name
in which they must complete and the compensation they VIII receive
for such services which compensation is all dependent upor
the result of the contest Wres baseball and and football player
are employed in the do not believe you are violating
the provisions of the law quoted above
If this opinion sustained by the will work very radl
cal change in ahec contests in this neck OF the woods Their
will be an opportunity draw fine line between spar
ce as the sole and only feature All the exhibitions which
prevented stopped the nsgaon OF the Ministerial aSSoao
We're complained of on ground that they contrary and
defiance Even the members of the ASSOCIATION were no
unanimously opposed to boxing but the exhibitions were pre-
vented interest law and order and that there was no e
down of the which would miscellaneous scraps
in the future For instance when the American Legion had an at
etc show contemplation and endeayoed to get the approval
the association sanction refused not because they did n
think that particular show would be well conducted and tor
most worthy cause but because they believed contrary to la
and in allowing be pulled off bad precedent would
established The sustaining of Mr. Igoes opinion by the courts wi
make great change in the game.