The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-31

rolled the document he held in his hand and read
it aloud. page after page II was poser, from
beginning to end and if it could be printed would
afford one OF the choicest bits of sensational base
ball literature ever put upon pager. The detect
ives bad seemingly done their work WELL and dur
ing the reading of the paper the boys could only
glance nervously at each other, and color deeply
when their names were read. Every action of
each member of the team for period of SIX weeks
or more was closely noted The time at which
they had retired each night; the billiards or
cards they had played with each other at their
hotels The instances in which they had slipped
away to accept might cap with friend be-
fore going to bed; in fact, act which related
in any way TO their habits or their moral gauge
had escaped tho watchful eyes OF the detectives.
The report was faulty in some respects; as, for
instance, when it spoke of Tommy Burns hav
ing been seen smoking cigar after dinner at ST.
Louis" when it is well known that Tom never
uses the weed. But in the main it was pretty
correct. as the boys could only admit, and when
the chief had finished reading it he turned quiet
Iy to the mon as they stood grouped before
him, and said: "This paper has shown you
just what grounds there havo been for the
reports that have from time to time been
reaching me. and / leave it to any or all of
you as to whether or not You have treated the
club management squarely. This is the first
time have had to call this team, as it is now
organized. to account upon such grounds. andsl
warn you to let it be the last Kelly, Meteor
mick, Flint, Gore, Williamson Flynn and Ryan
shall fine $25 each for drinking liquor IN viola
tion OF your agreements and shall state here
now that will double the fine at every future
action Of the kind upon your part. Now. boys,
keep your mouths closed about this affair, and
go ahead and win the pionship," with which
remark President Spalding passed out of the
room and left the boys staring stupidity at one
another When the lads finally did succeed in
finding their tongues it may be easily imagined
that they did some tall talking. Somehow the
story leaked out and got into the morning papers
here the following day, badly garbled and great
ly exaggerated it is true and all the more sensa-
toual because of that fact. / saw President
Spalding the day following and talked over the
occurrence with him, from which conversation
cleaned the above facts. 1.-THE boys have not
been getting drunk, mind you,' said he. "and so
far as have been able to observe personally,
have never at any time this season untitled
themselves for work through in6ulgences or ex-
cesses of any kind. They have, however, so far
forgotten or lightly regarded their pledge as to
occasionally indulge in glass of beer or toddy,
and these indulgences, when seen, have reached
me and other officers of the club in exaggerated
FORM Notwithstanding these disclosures
which simply amount to a little carelessness or
forgetfulness on the part Of the players in &C
cepting an occasional glass of beer from enthu-
sastic admirers, I really believe the morals and
habits of the players ir the Chicago club and the
League generally will compare very favorably
with the same number Of young men taken at
random from the city banks dry goods and
wholesale stores Do not think for one moment
that the Chicago club is the only one of the
League that has been so indulging Others have
been doing the same thing, and if the officers of
the clubs in question want proof of my assertion
have got it right here for them," with which
remark the president of the Chicago club took q
thick packet of papers from his pocket and
struck it sharply against the palm of his left
hand. This discovery has set me to thinking in
a certain direction he continued, sand think
that shall propose plan at the next League
meeting which will effectualy shut off any drink
ing tendencies League players may possess"
'And that plan is --?' questioned.
why, simply the agreement of the clubs of
the National League to jointly arrange with
some detective agency to shadow throughout the
League season every player of the National
League; and submit weekly report to President
Young at Washington, embracing a statement
of each players habits and of his actions from
day to day. We shall make the total abstinence
provision an all-important section of our club
contracts with players. and if it shall be report
ed to President Young through our agents that
man has been drinking liquor Of any kind; that
he has been seen intoxicated. or that he has been
10 any way guilty Of ungentlemanly or unpro-
fessional conduct, the president of the League
shall have the power to impose fine
not to exceed an amount to be deter
mined by the League, and that re-
port shall be sent out by the president and
secretary OF all such fines imposed and the char
acter of the offense. just notices Of contracts
and releases are now forwarded each week to
the different club presidents We employ men
at good salaries to play ball during six months in
the year. and it is only fair to the League and to
the public, as we'll as necessary to the good name
and popularity OF the national game, that they
conduct themselves as athletes and gentlemen.
These are my views, and I shall certainly take
steps to have them adopted at the next business
meeting of the League"
I need scarcely add that Mr.. Spaldings ideas
of players duty toward his club and to the
public will doubtless meet the views of every
lover of the game of baseball, and that in adopt
ing them for the government of its players in
future years. the League will certainly take step
in the right direction. Cox.