Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-11-22
SOME RICHNESS HERE.
LBAGUB PHILANTHROPISTS ISSUE AN Alb
DRESS TO THEPUBLIC.
They Have Elevated Purified, EnnOblsd, Civilized
and Ohrstianizsd Base Base Ball, but the
Base Migrate Players Rebel GlaScock's
Detection General Base Ball News.

PHILADELPHIA, November 21.-The
committee which WAS appointed at the re-
cent annual meeting Of the National
League of Professional Ball Clubs, to pre-
pare an address to the public, defining the
position of that organization in the present
base ball controversy, completed it lsbors
to-day. The text OF the address follows:
To the Public:
The National League Of Professional
Base Ball Clubs has no apology to make
for its existence, or for its untarnished
record of fourteen years. It stands TO day,
as il has stood for that period, sponsor for
the honesty and integrity of professional
bsla ball.
HISTORY OF THE LEAGUE.
The National League was organized in
1875, as a necessity, to rescue the game
from it's slough Of corruption snd disgrace,
and take it from the hands of the ball play
ers who had controlled and dominated the
National Association Of professional base
ball PLAYERS. No effjrt was made by the
old association TO control it's members, and
the result was that contract breaking, dis-
sipation and dishonesty had undermined
the game 10 such an extent that 1t seemed
an almost hopeless task to attempt its
rescue.
The League upon its organization, abol-
iseed pool selling, open betting on the
grounds, prohibited Sunday games and ex-
cluded the sale of liquors. A better class
of people were invited to attend the exhi-
tiors aud more systematic way of con-
ductiDg the game was introduced.
As check on competition, weaker clubs
in the League demanded the privilege OF
reservipg five players who would form the
nucleus OF team for the ensuing season.
This was the origin of the Reserve
Rule" and from its adoption may be dated
the development of better financial results.
The system of reserve having proved ben
tficial both to clubs and players, the re-
serve list was increased to eleven. and then
to fourteen or an entire team. Under this
rule the game has steadily grown in favor,
the salaries Of players have more than
trebled, and q higher degree OF skill been
attained.
ONLY INNOCENT TRADE
Out of, and as an incident to "Rsserva-
tion," arose releases for pecuniary con-
gdcration. The right OF reservation be-
ing conceded, the clubs claim on the
olayers continuous services must be Of
some value. But except in cases OF dis
banding or retiring clubs, that right has
never been transferred without the play
era cooperation and consent, usually at
his request and for his own pecuniary
emolument.
To correct misapprehension in the pub
lie mind as to the alleged enormous
profits" divided smong the stockholders
of the League clubs, it may be interesting
to know that during the past five
and only prosperous years there
have been paid in cash dividends
to stockholders in the eight League clubs,
less than $50, OOO, and during the same time
League players have received in salaries
over 81, 500 600. The balance OF the
profits Of the few successful clubs, together
With the original capital and subsequent
assessments of stockholders, is rep
resented entirely in grounds,
and Improvements for the permanent good
of the game, costing about $600,O The
refusal of the Brotherhood committee to
meet the League in conference at the close
OF the season, proves incontestibly that the
imperative demand for conference in
midsummer to redress grievances that
have never yet msterializei, wss mere
pretext for secession.
The remainder of 5be address cOnsiste Of
bitter abuse Of the players, terms them
recalcitrants, accuses them of double
dealing, and fually declares that the
League will continue the game and pre-
serve it in its purity. 1t is signed by A.
G. Spaldinr, John B. Day, and John /.
Rogers gs a committee.