The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1896-01-02

there will probably be a serious discus
sion over an evil that is increasing
daily, and in time may threaten the
| welfare of the game. Although the va
| rious clubs in the league formed a rule
long ago strictly prohibiting betting on
the grounds, it is an undeniable fact that
| open speculation on ball games prevails
! in several of the big towns, and the club
officials, so far, have neglected to en-
force the rules. At the Polo grounds
last Monday a man walked up and
down the aisles of the grand stand,
waving a roll of bills and offering to
4Abet on the Brooklyns. In a few min
utes $25 of his money was covered in
blocks of fives by New York followers.
The officials in the New York club did
not see the man, but when President
Freedman was informed Of the fact lat
er, he issued orders to stop all such pro-
ceedings in the future.
Information comes from Pittsburg
that there Is more and heavier betting
among the grand stand patrons there
than in any other league city. 1t is
said that as much as $10,0 900 changes
hands there on the result of the game.
A man who has frequently witnessed
games in Pittsburg this season told
the Record reporter recently that he
saw $40, 900 wagered against $4,000 that
the Pittsburgs would win a certain
game from the Baltimores, and that at
the conclusion Of the last inning the
money was paid over on the grounds.
He said that the Pittsburg officials new
er interfered with the betting, although
they must have known Of it's existence.
1t Is also said that the rule is violated
in Baltimore, St. Louis, Chicago and
Cincinnati. The Brooklyn club has al
ways prevented open betting as much
as possible. The Boston and Philadel-
phia clubs are also very particular
about the enforcement Of the rule"
While the above is probably exag-
gerated, there is no doubt that gam
bling upon baseball is becoming alto
gether too frequent and heavy for the
ultimate good of the game. A peculiar
danger was pointed out by the Sporting
Life last spring, viz: that gambling on
horse racing having been practically
suppressed by the strong arm Of the
law all over the country, there was
probability that the irrepressible spec
ulative fraternity would find a vent fol
it's passion or business in some direc'
ton, and that baseball, owing to its
= great popularity, vast extent and pecu
!: liar uncertainty, would be seized upoI
as the most available sport for exploi
tation. That danger still exists; ii
g fact, is greater now than ever and |
therefore behooves all directly interest
ed in the game to not only keep
So watchful eye upon Its every phase, blu
- to give no handle to it's opponents o
n opportunity for the birds Of prey t
fasten themselves upon it. 1t is TO
this reason that Mr.. RobinsOn's recog
milton of the gambling possibilities |
to be keenly regretted. There neve
was a time that the game needed NOR
" careful handing and nursing than JUS
now, whereas upon the surface it seem
to need it least. A great many thing
have happened within the last two sea
TT sons which must cause the thoughtfl
and discerning lovers of the game muc
u disquietude as to the future. The e.
, feet of past and recent mistakes
" bound to be cumulative, so that whe
II. confidence in the integrity of the spol
III and of those who control 1t once b.
gins to go it will go with a rush, an
the bottom drop out Of the game wit
a dull thud. 1t has taken years
place the game upon the high pinnac
it now occupies, but it may require on,
in one season, one month, one week,