The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-13
THE NATIONAL GAME.

NICE FIGHT AMONG TIE PROFESSIONALS "A
COMBINATION FORMING AGAINST THE ATHLEr-
les or NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE PRO
FEssIoNAL PLAYERS.
The Professional Association or Base Ball Piayers
Is In a bad way. Never since its organization has
there been such dissension in It's ranks. At the
annual ting held in Philadelphia, March J. the
case OF David Force came up before the Judiciary
Committee Tor settlement. on the I'd OF No
vember last this player signed a contract binding
himself 10 play with the Chicago CUB for the
son OF 1875. ON the 9Th DAY OF December he signed
contract with the Athletic Club, agreeing to play
with them during the same season QS7jl. la view
OF these facts the committee decided that be
should
PLAY WITH THE CHICAGO CLUB
and that the contract with the Athletic Club was
illegal and therefore in no way binding.
Alter the election OF a new set OF oflcers by the
Convention, the President, upon taking his seat,
at once appointed a new judiciary Committee,
designating three Philadelphia men as members.
AS the committee is composed OF but Eve this
action gave the Athletic CluD clear majority.
without any unnecessary delay the committee
convened and reopened the Force case, just de-
cided by their predecessors, aud after a brief
hearing declared that Force should play In the
Athletic Club and nowhere else.
Tnls action has occasioned al the trouble.
CiuDs other than those in Philadelphia, very nat
urally LOOK with no uncomfortable degree OF
Apprehension upon their chances OF obtaining JUS
tce at the hands oil Judiciary Committee that
could be capable OF doing what the present one
has Already done. The President, MIR. Charles
sperlng, is a member Of the Athletic Cub, also
A sRIF.coSsTTurRD nEARKR
or the Judiciary Committee.
some ten days ago the following card was sent
by the boston Cub 10 the other professional CLUBS
with a request that 1t be slgned:-
Mr. CHARLES SrERrSG, President National Association
Professional Base Bali Players.-
The unde rsigned base ban clubs. all or whom are
members OF the National Assoc ation Of Professional
Rasc ball Players, address to you your official ca
paclty-and through 70 the profession Rn the pub
hc-the following declaration, which we ccnsder per-
have ranspred tho adjournment " last Con-
ycnuon IN Philadelphia, March !, lSl5:-
flrstBelieying h 10 be an absolute necessity 70 the
progress and Interest OF our national game ana 10 our
individual ana prosperity separate organzA-
tons that there snoud be national code tor g0v-
ernmenta code 10 be strciv observed aud respected
declare II q be our liked purpose 70 sustain and up-
hold the constitution and bylaws OF the National Assoc
citation adopted March 1878 10 recognize otner
higher law ana 10 discOuntonance and rebuke any and
every attempt upon the part OF any uD or Clique 81
clubs TO violate disregard deity any one Of It's arhces
sechons to this we pledge ourselves by this Instr "
ment
Ser0ad-we consider an absolute necessity that there
should exist tribunal ~ try ana determine those ots
puies and differences which un yVdaDy rise pelween
clubs and between Clubs and their playersi that TINS
tribunal should consist OF Intelligent ana iair men 50
lecca different parts 81 the country, 60 thaf .eY
shall not 9e subject 70 sectional ioeA OF OaiaeAh IN