Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02


plenary powers conferred on it by the na-
tional agreement, that thereafter player so
offending would be ineligible to play with
the club he had deserted, as we'll as under
existing rules he was ineligible to play with
any other agreement club. The board re-
fused to add the stigma of blacklisting to
the punishment that being reserved for dis
honest playing, which is an objectionable
offence.
In reference to the reinstatement notice
issued by MI. Young. Mr.. Roger saws he at
once wrote to the President and asked his
authority for sucd announcement The re-
ply was that his (Young's) proclamation
making contract jumpers forever ineligible,
was not published until after Raymond had
jumped, and that the latter's lawyer held
that the decree of the board making a new
penalty for such offence could not apply
retroactively, or it would becomean ex post
faclO law. Mr.. Rogers saws no one can ques-
tion the legality of this conclusion, but that
it was unfortunate Mr.. Young's proclama-
tion did not say thereafter" contract Jump
ers should be ineligible, etc. No vote was
cast on the question of reinstatement, Mr..
Young assuming that Messrs. Rogers and
krauthof, the other two members of the
board, would approve of the reinstatement
when the legal reasons were explained
THE OMAHA CASES
As to the Omaha players. Mr.. Rogers
explains that no action has yet been taken,
for the reason that the facts in the case are
in dispute. Mr. Young, as secretary of the
board, received notice that the Omaha club
had disbanded, and the players, under their
contracts, had been held subject to assign
ment by the Western Association. He ac-
cordingly notified the players to report for
J,,4, ha hor aof{ {1ar
of the players. Several of the players then
sent him copies of releases, dated July 1,
1891, and signed by the proper officials of
the Omaha club. Mr.. Young never having
notice of such release, brought the matter
before the board for decision of the ques-
tioD whether players duly released (and the
ten days for the other clubs claims having
since expired) could be held under his con-
tract and the Western Association consti-
tuition, because of the neglect of the clubs
officials to send proper notice of such re-
lease. Mr.. Rogers decided that the player
shoull not suffer for such neglect, and that
under such release the player was free to
sign where he pleased.
Mr.. krauthoff now contends that the re-
leases of the Omaha players were fraud
ulent, and were really granted on July II,
but dated back to July 1 in order to cheat
the other Western Association clubs of their
ten days privilege to accept the services of
the players Mr.. krauthoff is now investi-
eating the truth of this charge of fraud, and
the final ruling of the board Will rest on the
result of the Investigation. Meantime the
players will remain with the clubs of their
choice If the allegation of fraud is estab-
hshed, the releases are annulled and the
players must fulfil their contracts and give
their services to the Western Association
club to which they may be assigned. At
the same time the players will have chance
to offer counter proofs and be fully protect
ed in their rights.
THE GRAND CIRCUIT RACES.
Probably there never was Grand Circuit
season opened out any better than the pres
ent. The Inauguration at Homewood was
one full of enthusiasm and success in all re-
spects, and the meeting at Cleveland Just
finished has without doubt not only kept up
that enthusiasm, but has increased. Ger
tainly the Cleveland meeting was a great
one in all respects and it is to be hoped
that the excellent work begun by the Cleve-
land and Pittsburg associations will be sus-
tanned by the balance of associations |
in the circuit. Of course |
none of us will forget the great perform |
ance of Hal Pointer at Cleveland, and it is |
reasonable to expect that famous PAGER to |
But there was a very unfortunate feature of |
the Cleveland meeting, resulting in the ex- |
pulsion of the owner and driver of Temple |
Bar, and the latter was also expelled. The |
expulsion was unfortunate because of the |
necessity for such action. We who are |
admirers of honest horse racing, will doubt |
less all regret the expulsion, but venture |
10 say that our regrets are not for the al
eyed dishonest men who have been e1-
oelled, but because of the appearance of
fraud Oh the track. That drivers and
owners hatch fraudulent schemes to rob and
cheat the public, is not, as a rule, the fault
IF the race track authorities; but when the
fraud is detected these authorities can make
examples of the rascals. The judges of the
Cleveland track, when convinced to some
hing was wrong in the Temple Bar race,
we're not slow to act, and their action will
De Endorsed by every lover of honest racing
n the country While the trotting track
IS very much purer to-day than it has ever
oeen, none of us can deny the fact that
much dishonesty on it still exists. This
dishonesty is of kind that the ablest
Judges cannot well detect, but whenever
Is to purge the track forever of the perpe-
srators. Doubtless that is a severe remedy,
but it is the only safe one or at least the
safest one that am aware Of.
A TREAT FOR CRICKETERs.
During the week the announcement has
been made that team of English cricketers
are to visit this country this year, and that
they will play in Pittsburg While 1 am |
not certain about the Pittsburg end of it, 1 |
trust that it is true. If it is true, then there |
will be an interesting treat in store for the |
lovers Of the historic game. l am sorry to |
say that of late the good old game has been
on the wane in and about Pittsburg. A few |
years ago there was an enthusiasm thrown
into the game that gave it quite local
boom, and as result we had cricket con-
tests every week And we also had a host
of very promising young players, and where
they have all gone to L am at loss to
know. But see no reason why the crick-
eters in and about Pittsburg should not get |
together at once and arrange a series of
contests among themselves The season is
none too far advanced, yet, and it is only
these local contests that firmly TO OF an ad-
miration for the game. 1t may be true that
cricket will never become anything like
the leading game in America, but it is also
true that it has more patrons than many of
us think, and I'll say more, there are more
features in the game than
the uninitiated ever imagine. I am fully
convinced that if the prominent members
Of the various clubs would get together
they could formulate plan of contests that
would result in popularizing the game.
And it would also make matters much bet
ter for the appearance of an English team
here If they intend to come.
THE DIXON AND WILLIS BATTLK
Those who read the review of last week |
would not be very much surprised at the
defeat of Willis by Dixon IF there uas