Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-19

less and well-governed central organization like
the National League acting in unison with
ether associations under broad and equitable
national agreement, it is utterly impossible to
maintain the necessary discipline and keep the
game in its purity and integrity. without which
the commence of the public, SO essential to the
success OF professional baseball, cannot be
long retained. 1 shall always take deep H.
terest in the game and in the National League.
ard will do everything can in my individual
capacity to advance the interest OF the sport,
which hope and believe Is in q fair way to be-
come the universal ball game of the world"
Some Important Truths.
don't think that ever a more important
truth regarding sport was stated than the
foregoing. Time and time again have con-
tended that the tendency Of professionalism
was to kill sport entirely. This Is so true
that to-day we cannot lay our hands on any
kind of professional sport that is not de-
graded, or at least is being rapidly degraded.
During the last 20 years have noticed the
sure degeneration of professional sport Time
was when professionalism reiGned supreme
and when the public would scarcely waste the
time in going to see amateurs perform. But
matters have changed, and to-day we find such
sports as rowing, foot-racing, etc, absolutely
ruined as far as pro fess1onaiism is concerned.
We are dependent on the amateurs for the con-
tinuation or perpetuation of these sports. And
this professional sport has been ruined by the
professionals themselves, who were only in the
business for mercenary motives, and not be-
cause or any special love they had for the
sport. Much could be said on this matter,
but now briefly refer to it in order to draw
the attention of amateurs to the very important
duty they have to perform-that is. to keep the
sports with which they arc connected clean and
beyond reproach. Every effort should be made,
in fact, must he made, TO keep amateurism
within its legitimate limits, and il this is done,
depend upon il. its ranks will not be tainted by
either professional boxers or any other kind of
professionals.
Two Prominent Amateurs.
Speaking of amateurs reminds me that we
have just lost two of the most prominent anna
teur athletes in local circles refer to Alex.
Macpherson and E. B. Danson. don't know
of two athletes who grace the amateur world
more than do the two gentlemen named. In
every sense of the term they are amateurs, that
is they are athle tes simply because of their
love Of sport and outdoor exercise. Mr.. Danson,
who was Secretary of the Allegheny Athletic
Association, has made his mark in Pittsburg
as a gentleman of merit and one of the hardest
workers in amateur circles. Mr.. Macpherson
have known for many years, and it is'not too
much to say that to him more than to
ANYBODY else is due the prominence of Pitts
burg as cricket playing city. Mr. Macpherson
as a cricket player, has undoubtedly drawn
general attention to Pittsburg on very many
occasions. And what is the most pleasing
feature of the matter is the fact that he has on
all occasions been actuated by the very purest
motives. OF course he will be missed, and SO
will Mr.. Danson. Chicago will get a good man
in MIR. Macpherson, and New York will find a
very useful man in Mr.. Danson. I had almost
forgot to mention tRat the local amateurs
showed high esteem for the two gentlemen
named The other evening at the Hotel
Schlosser banquet was given IN their honor.
and without doubt a right good time was spent.
Prominent IN that very jovial party was Mr..
Beggs. who is not only an athlete of merit but is
one of the best entertainers in Pittsburg.
Messrs. Danson and Macpherson had reason TO
feel proud of the ''send-off" given them.
Fitxsfmmons and Smith.
Considerable interest has been added to mat
ters pugilistic in Pittsburg during the week by
the presence of Fitzsimmons here. had the
pleasure, If can conscentiously use the word,
of meeting Mr.. Fitzsimmons the other day and
asking him q few questions. His language is
not by any means the most chaste have heard.
nor is his appearance prepossessing as a pugil-
ist. obtained precious little satisfaction from
Mr. Fitzsimmons, as he didn't tell me a thing I
didn't already know. My special object was to
find out if he woul fight Ed Smith, of Denver,
and in replying to the question Fitzsimmons
did admirably as a Snowman. He is in the
show" business. and he cannot condescen. to
$1,000, or even 5000. Fitzsimmons
talks abous stakes and purses of amounts
varying from $4,000 TO $4,000 OF
course. not long ago be worked his passage from
Australia to this country. but he is a STAR
IN the show business now and he has license to
talk about fighting for s20000-purses. Well I
Smith and backer also met Fitzsimmons and
they forced the latter to name conditions under
which he would fight Smith. will discuss
those conditions presently. but want to say a