Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1895-04-13
AMERICAN LEAGUE OP sPoRTSMEN
Turfmen Who Met at Cincinnati Quickly
Formed an ASSOciatinu

Cleveland. April 9.-The convention Of
tuffnen, called TO organize q sporting
league, quickly concluded its business,
when 1t finally got to work this afternoon.
Major 2. P. johnson. president Of the
National Trotting Association, was tera-
porary chairman. with w II. Gocher Of
Cleveland as secretary. The committee
reported a charter, which gives the name
OF the organization as the American
League, and its object to encourage and
protect the many sports and the business
interests connected with them. The con-
sutution, which was adopted, provides for
a president, secretary and treasurer, ard
vice presidents, each state having subor-
dinate league, and also a board of control,
consisting OF president and vice president
The affairs of the league are to be manag-
ed by the board of control. Subordinate
leagues must consist of not less than 10
members, the membership and officers to
be reported to the main league upon it's
organization.
Major P. P. Johnson of Lexington,
Kentucky, was elected president, with a
vice president from each state.
This was probably the most important
convention Of turfmen that has ever been
held III this country, the participants in
Guiding presidents Of national trotting
associations, delegates from over twenty
driving park associations, breeders, own
ers and representatives of agricultural So
cieties and horse show associations. The
call for the gathering originated with the
Cleveland Driving Park Association, and
its object is explicitly outlined in an all
dress signed by a large number of prom
inent turfnlen. In. this they say:
We meet for the purpose of organiz>
ing league to protect our manly sports,
pastjnes and recreations Of our people
from hostile legislation and Keep them on
so high a plane that just criticism OF an
adverse character will be impossible. We
recognize the fact that there are abuses
TO correct and that an organization COM
posed OF the friends and active partiGi-
pants in these recreations and the legit-
innate business incident to them will be
powerful 10 accomplish the corrections,
and at the same time stand as a stone
wall against the unjust assaults of those
who have other interests or pleasures
on an overwhelming desire to NEEDLE with
the conduct of their neighbors. We trust
that every community feeling pride in
the history and honorable character of
our pastlmes will cooperate for the estab-
liShlnent and maintenance Of healthy reg
uIations consistent with personal liberty
and the law of the land. With such an
organiZat ton, having its friends on guard
everywhere, we will have less to appre-
he1fd in future from the periodical cru
sades]that s. have been so unjust to us in
the past,
kentucky is represented by 2. ?. John
son, .president Of the National Trotting
Association; H. c. Mcdowell. president
.I<ft44atsfcl1y Horse Breeders Association;
Colonel E. F. Clay, and j. M. Camden.
From New York city and state are An
drew Miller. president New York Driving
Club, and W. B. Fassig; from Rochester,
George Archer, president of Rochester
Driving Park, and W. Bowman, the noted
lawyer, while from Buffalo c. J.t1amli!2
the famous breeder; is here. Other cities
represented are Chicago, st. Louis, St.
Joseph, Mo, Hartford, Conn, Des Moines.
Iowa, Springfield. Mass. Saginaw, Mich.
and TtfEn, o.