Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-30

versy on the question of the to-be or not-to-
be of the 12-club league has wa1ed very
warm. Beyond all doubt it is the burning
baseball question of the day, and we may
expect that between now and November 16,
the date of the league meeting at Chicago,
there will be some very animated discus
sion. I oppose the 12 club league
because it is unsound in principle;
it has been unjust in its opera
tions; it has deteriorated the quality of
baseball; it has developed powerful feel
ing of discomfort; it has lowered public in
terest in the national game, and it has been
one Of the rnnkest failures in the baseball
history. More than once I have given
| proof of these statements have failed to
notice single argument advanced by the
league organ and the two or three other ad-
vocates of the unsuccessful baseball monop-
| oily in defense of its existence. There has
been any amount Of insolence, abuse and
| sinister insinuations, for that is the entire
stock in trade of some people, but it has no
effect on an intelligent public.
Well. now, let us free ourselves from all
| prejudice on the matter and we will at once
see that the baseball public does not want
the 12-club arrangement The magnates
should more than anything else consider
this feature, because they entirely depend
on public patronage. All other elements
| are secondary to that of the public, and if
the present unwholesome conditions of
baseball are continued depend upon it the
magnates will have reason to regret it. If
anybody will show me why the good old
state of things with a National League and
| an American Association cannot be recalled
will say no more, and also want to know
of what good the Louisville, st. Louis,
Baltimore and Washington clubs are to the
League. contend they have done harm
and will continue to do so.
Those who have the destinies of the ma
tional game in their hands have a duty to
perform, and that is to re-establish the
National League. This ought to be done
even though heroic action is needed to ac-
complish it.
A Few Words to a Critic.
A few weeks ago I remarked that the 12-
club League was under the guidance of men
of the Won der Abe type. In reply to this the
League organ comes to the surface and SAYS
Won der Abe does not rule the League, but
that everything is done by unanimous con-
sent. Good gracious! what remarkable
lot of automatons the organ would have the
magnates be. What wonderful lot of
human beings to have no diversity of opin-
ions, but always unanimous. How calm,
how complacent and how simply sweet
everything must be when those unanimous
magnates meet. Why, bless you, they must
be the wonder Of the age.
But isn't it time, Mr.. Organ, they had
the cobwebs brushed off their brains?
Would little stirring-up not distract that
unanimity and set them thinking so as to
get out of the dire difficulties in which they
are now in?
Unanimous! Certainly, Messrs. Day,
been breaking their necks to indorse all the
Won der Abe theories But do not be-
lieve this ''unanimous" assertion, nor did
I say that Won der Abe ruled the
League. I did say that it is a Won
der Abe policy that is guiding the League
and it is policy that was never known
in the League until Won der Abe became
member. Honor, justice, success and intel
ligence were the characteristics cf the
League previous to the Won der Abe re-
gime. 1t may be true that Messrs. Byrne,
Brush, Robson, Won der Horst, Wagner
and the Louisville representative are all
under the influence Of Won der Abeism and
aid that worthy in shaping the policy of the
League. I am told that such is the case,
but it is still Won der Aheism just the
same.
Now, Mr. Organ, let me ask you ques-
tion. Why is it that you were such
hater, such vilifer and such an enemy to
the National League magnates when they
were honest and just and are now their
dearest friend when their Unanimous
players? Has the '1oaves and fishes"
principle been your guiding star? Let us
know.
Local Baseball Affairs.
The local baseball club officials mean to
be in the swim early enough next year, and
to show that they mean business they have
already completed arrangements to have
the players report at Hot Springs OIL March
l. After "boiling" out there for awhile the
team will play 20 games with the Southern
League clubs and then return home to open
the season.
All this means enterprise on the part of
the club directorate and adds more proof to
the fact that the people at the head of the
club are prepared to make any kind of a
venture to have winning team here.
Doubtless the plan as arranged will have
good effect. I trust it will.
Manager Buckenberger tells me that Ehret |
is sure to sign with the local club and at a |
salary just as high as anybody will get. !
Ehret is good pitcher when he displays |
energy, and it is to be hoped that next year |
he will be more in earnest than he has been |
this year. There is dim hope of the club |
securing frst-class infelder who will also |
be able 10 captain the team. In view of |
this hope Donovan has not been definitely |
engaged to captain. If the expected in-
fielder is not secured then he will take |
charge.
Anson and His Ancestors.
A correspondent sends me very inter-
esting communication about A. G. Anson,
the ball player, and his ancestors. I am
sorry there is not space to publish the letter
in full. Here is part of it.:
There is probably no professional athlete
who has been more extensively. advertised [
or one more worthy of respect. A great deal
has been written of Mr.. Anson that was
Swede. Mr.. Anson's ancestors, paternal
and maternal. are Americans, and date back
for a number of generations. His paternal
ancestor, Lord Anson, an Admiral OF the
English navy. whose life and voyages are /
in separate volumes, resided for
short time in Virginia. Warren Anson,
grandfather of Adrian, settled in New ork
State. Sylvanus Rice maternal grandfather
of A. c. Anson, was representative of an
old American family, and was born in New
York. They were distinguished representa-
was born in York State, and was pioneer
near the present city Of Marshalltown in
1852
My correspondent wants to know what I
think about it. l have nothing to say re-
garding the veracity Of the story. It may
be true and it may not, but there are points
Of resemblance between the baseball cap
tain and Lord George, the Admiral. The
xuhn lad ohnu L