Omaha daily bee., 1891-09-27

the first part TO the great national agree
ment. For patting the woolly west thus on
the back the league levied a tax on her in the
trihing sum of $4,000, all Of which was paid
up but Il few hundred dollars. This tax, SC
the league alleged, was TO assist that august
body in defraying its running expenses, and
those OF the Western, too, in "A measure FOL
instance, President Nick Young must have
his little $1,000 per annum for acting as the
president of the affair; his clerks S2,OOO or
8 5000 more; the leagues lawyer $500 and
the two STATS of umpires something ike
Sl5, 1000. The Western association, in good
faith, entered into this partnership with the
league. and before the season opened was
swelled up TO the dimensions OF the toad VINO
thought he could swallow tho bull.
The Western obeyed every order or
suggestion of the imperious league with
tho subserviency OF a child, dumped her lit
tie doodle every month, swore by the national
agreement and did everything within her
power to fortify the league and belittle the
association. And what was her reward!
Caught in the middle of the season IN a mael-
strom of disaster, with total annihllation
and insolvency staring her in the face, the
Western association appeals TO the National
league for succOr, but instead Of extending a
helping hand, the arrogant older body gives
her the cold shoulder, not even as much as
tenders q word of advice, and in consequence
the Western fails ingloriouslv, although
three clubs made n pretense at finishing the
season. ...
1t would seem that this experience would
have proven a salutary lesson, but IT. doesn't
look as it 1t was going to, for now the
American association is making overtures
and processes a willingness to gather up the
of the Western association, re-
habllitate the structure for next season and
take her in on a similar partnership basis to
that established this spring, only this time
the Western is to grid up her loins and roll
up her sleeves for a pitched battle against
her former foster parent, tho National
league.
While but little stock is, or ever has
been, taken in the methods of the Amer
lean association by the writer, he has
no hesitancy in SAYING that he has more faith
now In the promises of that body aud her
capacity to resusitate the Western a%ssocia-
ton than he could ever again take in the
National league. 1t would be idiocy itself to
assert that tho league, however, is not the
the greatest, the solidest and the most en-
during baseball organization e"er effected
within tho history Of the game, for that Is a
fact apparent to all. Butthe present seasons
experience has removed the glamour from
the eyes of many Of her old and staunch
friends, and there are but few now who will
not acknowledge that tho league is for the
league, solely and alone, first, last and all the
time. If she can use or make a cats paw of
any of the lesser bodies, she will do it with
out scruple or conscience, and probably is not
10 DO blamed after all, but given credit for
superior business ingenuity and management.
In all ages and among all people it has been
the ~aurvival of the fittest, another argument
in favor of the league.
But more of this anon. It looks now as IL
the American association in another year
would be on the offensive In lieu of the de-
f~ensive, as all the lines are being carefully
laid with that end in view. There seems less
probability than ever of a patch-up between
the old factions, and realizing this the
American intends to seize time by the
forelock and be prepared for the final tug of
war next season. With this intention the
friendship of all the minor bodies will bo
courted. and particular stress put upon that
toward tho thriving and growing cities of the
great west. Minneapolis, St. Paul Omaha
and Kansas City will receive especial IA
vors, even unto the Offering Of u berth in her
circuit, and by thus widening and extending
her line OF battle, she hopes to carry a pre-
pouuerance of sympathy and patronage,
which in time will elevate her to the place
now occupied by the League. There is not a
bail crank in any of the cities named b. who
would hail with delight the chance to see his
representative team in the American associa-
ton. There is no hope leaguewards, and they
all want the next best thing and are willing
TO take their chances in an open race for
prominence and popularity with the older or
ganization. The circuit now being discussed
within association close circles is Boston, Bal
timore, Philadelphia, Washington, Columbus,
Louisville, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee,
st. Paul-Minncapolis, Omaha and Kansas
City, and what n league that would make.
In any event tho coming winter is sure to
TEEN with startling schemes and changes
Base ball is in an unquestlonably unsettled
and unsatisfactory state, aud much radical
work is absolutely essential in restoring it to
It's former high plane.