Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-11-07
THE PLAYBRs, LEAGUE.

The brotherhood Fires tho Ftret
Ronib into the National League
Camp.
New YORK, Nov. 5.-The council Of the
Brotherhood of Base ball players at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel yesterday lasted until
after p. m. The first few hours OF the
meeting were taken up by routine BUSH
ness, and when the delegates assembled
after short recess, Messrs. Andrews,
| O'Rourke, Hanlon and Ward were ap-
pointed committee to draw up state
ment defining the position Of the Brother
hood towards the National League. That
il took long time to perfect the docu-
ment was evident by the fact that during
the afternoon nothing was done outside
| of that business. The statement which is
the first official word from the Brother
hood on the difficulty with the League is
as follows:
At last the Brotherhood Of Baseball
Players feel at liberty to make known its
intentions and defend itself against the
aspersions of misrepresentation which
for weeks it has been forced to suffer in
silence. 1t is no longer secret that the
players Of the League have determined
to play next season under different man
agement but for reasons which will, We
think, be understood, it was deemed ad-
visable to make DO announcement Of
this intention until the close OF the
present season, but new that the strug
giles for the various pennantH are over
and the terms OF our contracts expired
there ia no longer reason for holding 1t.
Ia taking this step we feel that we owe
il TO the public and to ourselves to
explain briefly some Of the reasons by
which we have been moved. There was
time when the League stood for integ-
rity and fai. dealing. To-day it stands
for dollars and cents. Once it looked to
the elevation of the game and an honest
exhibition of the sport. To. day its eyes
are upon the turnstile. They have come
into the business with no other motive
than exploit it for every dollar in sight.
Measures originally intended for the good
# the game have been perverted into
instruments for wrong. The reserve
rule and the provisions OF the national
agreement gave the managers unlimited
power, and they hove not hesitated
TO use this in the most arbitrary and
meroenary why. Players have been
bought and sold and exchanged as IL
they were Hheep, instead Of American
citizens. Reservation became with
them another name for property
right in the players. By combination
among themselves stronger than the
strongest trust they were able to enforce
the most arbitrary measures, and The
player bad either to submit or get ont of
the profession in which he had spent
years in attaining proficiency. Even the
disbandment and retirement of O club did
, not free the players from the octupus
clutch, Tor they vera then peedled
around to the highest bidder. That the
players sometimes profted by The sale
has nothing to do with the case, hut only
, proves the injustice of his previous re-
strsint.
Two years ago we met the League and
3 attempted to remedy some OF these evils,
but through what has BEEN politely
called "Lesgus diplomacy" we COM
pletely failed. Unwilling longer to SUBJ
' NIT to such treatment, we made strong
/ effort last spring to reach an understand
9 ing with the League. To our application
D for hearing they replied that the matter
was not Of sufficient Importance to war
: : rant meeting, and suggested that it be
+ put off until fall.
I Our committee replied that the players
felt that the League had broken faith
9 with them; thst while the results might
8 be of little Importance to the managers,
i, they were of greet importance to the
!, players; that il the League would not
\ coDcede what was fair, we would adopt
e other means to protect ourselves; that il
postponed until fall we would be sepa-
= rated and OF the mercy of the League,
: and that as the only course left us re-
Q quired Tina and labor to develop, we
, muat therefore, iDtist upon an imme-
q diste conference. Then upon their final
refusal to meet us, we began organizing
9 for ourselves, and now are in shape to go
J, ahead next year under new management
i and new auspices. We believe shat it is
: possible to conduct our national game
: upon lines which will not infringe upon
I. individuals and patural rights. We
asked to be Judged solely by our work
J. and believing shat the game can be
t, played more fsirly and its business con
Quoted more intelligently under plan
y which excludes everything arbitrary and
: un.Americau, we look forward with con
\, fidence to the support of the public and
4 the future OF tbs national game.
W [Signedl
i. The NATIONAL BRorHERHoop OF BALI
l. PLAYERS.
The adoption of this statement as tn,
4 sentiment OF the Brotherhood was, Presi
i, dent Ward said, the sole business of i'm
:, portsnce during the entire session.
Tomorrow, the first annual meeting
l. of the Plsyers' National League, as thu
a new organization ia called. will be held
st at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. There TIL,
. final disposition of clubs and players viii
n be made. Everything is virtually ar
"a ranged, and the only action will be t.
give the list official sanction. It is def
nitely settled that Brooklyn and Buffalo
will take the places of Indianapolis ant
Washington, and it 10 stated that tn
players OF these clubs will be distributed
between Brooklyn, Buffalo and Pittshurg
y Tho fact that John NJ. Ward will mRnag,
"a the Brooklyn team is also pretty we'll as
n sured.
u PLAYERS UNION. z
10 INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 5.-The trades
" unions are discussing the baseball We
81 on behalf of the Brotherhood, and il i
"a not improbable that players will be organ
y, ~ lied in the form of labor union in tn
near future. ...-
70 BOLD THIEVEs,