The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-20
SPAULDlNG'S STRATEGY.
Inside History of Why the League Did Not
Select the Eighth Club.

Something of the inside history of the Nation
al League committee meeting Ia New York last
Saturday to decide upon the admission of an
eighth club is given BY the Philadelphia Press,
which says:
The three Western candidates for admission
made a desperate fight for the vote of prefer
ence, and the committee cannot give satisfactory
reasons why the point was not disposed of.
Kansas City scored what seemed to be a strong
point or vantage over Milwaukee and Indianapo-
liz by sending a representative to New York
There were two meetings in the Fifth-avenue
Hotel at the same time. and the informal gath
ering In the corridors made a shrewd surmise
early in the day that there was strategic deal
underneath the fact that indianapolis and
MI milwaukee had not sent representatives
Thls surmise was verified in the committees
afternoon session, when Spaulding commenced to
play his hand. Tt was limited outside parlor F,
during the recess for luncheon, that preferences
nao Deen expressed and pledges made by a por-
ton OF the committee for Milwaukee and Indian
apoiis respectively, and the real reason of their
apparent lack OF energy was then evident AS
the afternoon wore on it was known that Spauld-
ing was booming Milwaukee openly. Later on
the rumor that ne had been pledged to Milwau-
kee from the beginning gained ground, and still
further developments verified this rumor into
fact. Whitfield, the Kansas City representative,
presented his clubs case very strongly. He said
that Kansas City intended to have first-class
cluD. and that If not admitted to the National
League they proposed going into the Western
League and playing bail for all it was worth.
Two railroad companies. he said would guaran-
tee the League against loss if Kansas City was
admitted, and would back this by another guar
antee that there would be an average attendance
OF 4 0OO people at Kansas City games If Sun
day games were permitted the attendance would
be over 1000. Kansas City was readily accessi-
BILE from Chicago and St. Louis, and possessed a
population prodigal in their expenditures at ball
games The letters sent by Milwaukee
and and Indianapolis used the Kansas
by railroad companies. The Indianapolis
club presented strong claims and expressed its
WILLINGNESS to abide by the opinion of the League
regarding Sunday games, but in the midst of
the debate Milwaukee telegram flashed upon
the committee and raised q commotion which
we'll nigh defeated Spauldings plans, and unin-
tentionally revealed the confidence the base ball
interests of Milwaukee reposed in their powerful
Chicago ally. The telegram was from Quinn,
who is largely interested in the new Milwaukee
club, and stated 1--WE must have Sunday
games" Milwaukee letters were read,
showing that the railroad element of power
was conspicuous in base ball interests there,
and when the claims of the three cities
had thus been presented the committee proceed
ed to decide upon the successful candidate.
Spaulding had held his forces in reserve and this
was the moment at which he intended to push
Milwaukee. The unfortunate telegram from
Quinn made radical alteration in the Chicago
DEAL however. The committee expressed itself
openly about Mllwaukee's arbitrary announce
ment that Sunday games must be played there,
and if a vote had been taken the sheer force of
feeling against Milwaukee would have left Spauld-
ing alone as its supporter. He shrewdly saw this.
and adopted plan of postponement to attain
his purpose. He expressed himself slightly dis
posed to favor Milwaukee on account of its ac-
feasibility from Chicago and Detroit and with
out any appearance of open hostility toward
Kansas City and Indianapolis interests, claimed
that it was not in the committees power to dis
criminate in favor of any one of the three cities
from the mere presentation of their high
ly colored arguments He then moved
that the matter be placed in the hands
of the three League clubs nearest the
points named, and that power be given these
three clubs to make the selection, the committee
binding itself to vote for the admission of such
club the majority of the three clubs should
designate. This, he claimed, would be the only
satisfactory course to adopt, and that it was the
course best calculated to serve League interests.
Spaulding's motion went through without opposi-
ton, and so far as the National League commit
tees power is concerned in the matter Eastern
clubs are helpless in his hands. Detroit will
undoubtedly agree with Chicago and
Mr.. Lucas, of ST. Louis, can vote for whom he
pleases without influencing the result or inter-
fering with Standings plans. Other forces are
working, however, in favor of the two clubs
whose prospects bid fair to be frozen out in the
Spaulding deal. though his success il securing
the club of his preference as the eighth League
representative. though not entirely assured. will
be difficult thing for the friends Of Kansas
City and Indianapolis to Offset"