Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-15

DO not now impute any dishonest or un1all
motive TO any man, new or old, in the baseball
business; but have license to suggest the
notion that many persons have sud
denly became prominent in baseball
Affairs before giving the matter all the
thought necessary. Events may substantiate
this notion; hope they don't However. re
peat that the events of the weelr, as far as base
ball is concerned. have shown that the national
game of America is on the down grade as far
IS dignity and honor are concerned The base
bail public ought to demand halt irrespective
OF party. and if no halt is made let all those
connected with the business be left TO take
care Of themselves.
Mondays Meeting.
Tomorrow the Brotherhood magnates will
meet in New York and make another attempt
20 perfect their organization. The meeting is
Of vast importance, as on it not only hang the
destinies Of the individual clubs, but the to-be-
oF-not-to-be Of the Brotherhood. The meeting
viii determine almost every vital question
that concerns the proposed organization.
What the result will be can
not tell All that l know Is what
NessrS. Ward and Hsnlon have told me, and
with two exceptions they state that every
question is in doubt. These two questions are
the proposed smalgamation Of the Brotherhood
and AmeIia N Association and the proposition
% establish guarantee fund for the players
salaries Now tax. the liberty here Of draw
ing attention to the very ludIcrous position
that several out-and-out organs have put them
selves into. or course, to me an organ always
indicates something with little or no brains, or
II the essential to intellig ,nce is present. there
as an utter absence of pluck, SO that an inde-
pendent opinion is not expressed anyhow.
Wen, not long ago it was fumored about the
country that Ward and his colleagues had
elected q consolidation with the Association
This rumor was accepted as true by the
organs and psrtizans. Great is Ward, &"
they said. &c eat head,' they
chorused. The greatest stroke in the
history Of basebalIn was repeated. But here is
where the laugh comes in. Il transpired that
Ward. johnson, Hanlon, Keefe and a host of
others were strongly opposed to any such foolish
step IS consolidation, and if the predictions of
the Brotherhood leaders are worth anything at
all there will be no consolidation; and if there
Is not what will these little people who follow
big people do3 VIII they have the nerve to
say that it was unwise to not amalgamate? II
they do they would be cOnsistenG, but consist
eDcy among partisans is as difficult to find as it
Is 20 prove that Mrs. Camps friend, Mrs. Har-
Tis ever existed at ali. venture to say moth
ing will be said at all, and 1 may say the same
Of the guarantee. Blind followers who dare
not, and very often could not il they dare,
think and state an independent thought re-
mind one very much of that animal which
plays such an important part in Darvip's
Theory Of the Descent of Man"
-
Sc. Louis Chance.
1t il now safe TO say that st. Louis is anxious
20 share the fortunes of the Brotherhood. Re-
ports tnat seem reliable state that the officials
Of the club Of that city will apply for admission
20 the Brotherhood League. If this appIica-
tion is made the club could be admitted utterly
free Of any smalgamation scheme; and Ger.
fainly think that it would be q very wise stem
indeed, for the Brotherhood to take. ST I,ouis
Is not only good baseball city, but first-class
club could be put in there; certainly a club that
would more than pay expenses will not be sur
prised II the city is admitted 1t is without
doubt much better than several cities now on
the list As to whether or not it will be admit
ted hr. HanlOn had nothing definite to say yes
terday. If its application is granted, of course
some other city will have to retire, and what
city that will be- have not the least idea. Ar
any rate if the application is made it will cause
, lively discussion.
About Coutract Jumping.
A week or two ago 1 condemned in very
strong terms the system of signing two contracts:
that is. a contract OF the Brotherhood and
another Of the League. 1t is unnecessary to re-
print what then said, but L have not word TO
retract The system is a very bad one, indeed
il seems to flourish as the battle be-
tween the League and Brotherhood wakes
warmer, and as result the dignity and PRESTIGE
o. the national game cannot be other than in.
Iured. This result is sure to be. But l really
am Of opinion that the players-that is
the Brotherhood leaders-Ought not 70 be
a.
encourage contract breaking wherever il is
possible; indeed the Brotherhood leaders I
should think. ought to expect nothing else /
s1n proceed TO show why, and in doing so hope
thas everybody who reads what say will exer-
use spirit Of fairness. Now let us state case
Of the greatest hardship to the Brotherhood as
, starting point Take Miller's case for in
z .ssanee. Miller not only deliberately signed
brotherhood contract but he accepted SI2O in
advance money. Suddenly and unexpectedly
be repudiates that contract and signs National
League contract and accepts a larger amount
of advance money, but returns the sI2O To the
br0therhOod- Naturally enough Miller is
qualified in the vilest terms by Brotherhood
Importers, and not without reason. Traitor
llllatn, Perjurer, swindler, scoundrel are
lone Of the epithete hurled at Miller Now
his is one side of the question and for good
hess sake let US be fair and give the other. Let
'abld partissns for once stop and see if there is
lot just as strong case for the other side Ii
only lair TO 90 this, and certainly no true
American will contend that the National
league has not as much right to fair play as
ny other organization. Out and out partisans
hould acknowledge. at any rate, that that Is
ne policy Of these reviews.
League Case.
Wen, the League has many cases which IL
laims are as strong. il not stronger, than Mil.
ers treatment Of the Brotherhood. From
mong many cases I viii select the Cleveland |
Hub. A year ago the stockholders of /
bat club paid $4,000 or $4,000 for a |
lumber Of good players. These plav. |
r All signed contracts and the common /
was that these contracts insured /
be club Of the services Of these for two wears /
( least; that is for last season and the one next
nsuing. The legality Of this contract by the |
'ay. has nothing whatever to do with INV
rEnment II is sufhcient 70 say that the /
layers and club stockholders alike had a com
ion understanding that each player would at
laEt be two years with the club if the clnb
apted HIM. But the players suddenly resolve
r1pudiate this contract and common UNDER
'4ndinr and, almost in a body, desert the
eopie who have secured their services at such |
hig cost. As far as the intentions of these