Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-12-29
NEWS OF THE SPORTS.
THB SITUATION IN THE BASg BALL CON-
TBST.
The Suit Against Ward-Slsvin's Battle With
Smith-A Defeated and Disgracsd PugliSt
Turf Topics-Bass Ball Notes.
General Sports.

Anotner fortnight Will PROBABLY snow
what is the exact value of the much vaunt-
ed reserve clause in the League contracts.
The case against John NJ Ward is set for
January Z, and it is probable that both
sides will be eager to dispose of it. Wards
statement shows that the Brotherhood has
no lack of confidence in the outcome. IRE
serve" in the base ball sense simply means
privilege recognized by the Clubs of the
League, by which each club had the op-
ton to its players services, as against ii
val clubs controlled by the League egree-
ment. 1t conveyed no right or title to the
players services for an indefinite time.
~
1t is inconCeivable that the courts will
recognizes any other Interpretation of the
clause than the one put on it by the play
ers. If the Leagues position were sus-
tanned it would introduce and legaliza
another form of chattel slavery in the
United States. The same clause could be
introduced into contracts in other forms
of business, and the result might be, could
be, as far as the law would be concerned,
a complete sale Of employees to employers
Slavin's easy victory over Jem Smith,
and the outrageous conduct of that former
" distinguished bruiser. forever puts the
Englisman out Of the first rank of pugil-
lists. Smith has proven himself not only a
poor fighter, but cowardly cur, and no
reputable pugilist will suffer from refusing
to meet him. The efforts of Smiths
friends TO iDjure Slavin and break up the
fight, show TO some extent the difficulties
which Sullivan and Kilrsin met when
fighting Euglishmen before crowds Of Eng
lish toughs.
-
Muldoon said yesterday, in speaking of
the part which Baldock played in the
Smith-Slavin fight: "The only thing to do
with such BLACKBOARD as Smiths second
has repeatedly shown himself to be would
be to get him over to this country and have
him quietly and thoroughly shot. He is
responsible for half the discredits which
have been cast on the prizs ring in Great
Britain, and yet so fond Of his tactics are
the plugs and bruisers across the water
that he receives big sums of money for sec
ending any of the crack fighters when a
mill is on. He is a master of everything
that is contemplate and disgraceful in
prize ring tactics. ~
~
The fact that the California Club has let
several months slip by without giving its
members a sensational glove match is the
best evidence that it has been going little
too fast The monthly expenses average
about 81 $50 and President Fulda states
that the expense of fitting up both halls,
the furnishing Of the club rooms, and the
purchase of lot of apparatus cost about
ST., 600. The result is that there is now a
debt of So 500 after two months have
elapsed without any purses being given for
contests. This has caused much kicking
and the publication of cards by protesting
members. The whole trouble is that the
California Club, like other athletic institu-
tions, is leading a sort of DR.. Jekyll and
Mr.. Hyde existence.
The t81rt tn revive the public interest
in pedestrianism has not met with great
success. James Albsrts' Cleveland race,
proved a complete failure, while the De-
troit and Pittsburg contests were not sue.
cesses, either financially, or as athletic
events. A race in which Alberts, Little
wood, Golden, HeIty and HeGelmsn would
enter, would probably furnish some prog
pect Of breaking the worlds record. Such
a contest would be worth seeing.