Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-13
TWAS A SURPRISE TO THEM.
Petersburg CranISs Sore over the
Loss Of Their Team.

Loss OF IbeIf ieHH'
PETERSBURG. VA, August l2-(Spe-
clai)-The published announcement this
morning that by action Of the Virgins
League managers the franchise of the
Petersburg Base Ball Club mad been trans
ferred TO Hampton was a great surprise
10 the friends of the game il this city. as
well as TO the members Of the Petersburg
Association. IL was understood mat our
cluh would finish out the schedule this
season. and that extra efforts would be
made for the organization OF HIsl-
class team for next year.
The facts IN the matter or the transfer
NJ franchise came to light to-day IN a
letter written by y. II. Young, president
of the National League. TO John {. Small
secretary OF the Virginia state League
under date Of August 9th. The ground
assigned i'm this letter for taxing away
the Petersburg franchise is the failure
Of the former management oi oCf ciuD
10 fulfil its monetary obligations. u
was given 10 understand tha, unless the
new MANAGEMENT should assume ana ray
these obligations. the protection OF the
National League would be with IN.
Claims against the club are hcld Dy inc
baltimore and New York cubs cI the
y "A
claim that they have never received their
norton of the gate receipts for the second
game played In this city last April. This
game. as the country was made aware
bv the unjust and eXtrdvagant reports
published far and wide, was broken up
bv disturbance. for wnich the Baltl-
mores were wholly 10 blame, after Whlch
they left the grounds before the game
was over. The managers Of the Feters-
burg club refused 10 pay me l5altimofes'
claim OF the ground that the latter left
the field before the game was hnished'
and that, therefore, they were OF en-
titled TO any portion ot the gate receipts.
The New York claim az for the purchase
of Catcher Stanhope, sold by them 10
Petersburg. why this claim was not
paid will never be known. The purchase
was certainly made, md the claim is
lust. and those interested in our former
MANAGEMENT believed until now that 1t
had been paid.
when the Petersburg club was about 10
expire on July lst. several gentlemen MADE
a personal canvass OF the city and raised
by voluntary subscriptions a SUFFICIENT
sum 10 place the team on good financial
basis. 4 new franchise was granted these
gentlemen by the Virginia state League
and IL was understood when TINS IRAN
CNice was granted iHoi the itW HtoitrcN
ment did not assume any OF the oDlsa-
tons of the old club, and that the money
raised TO contiDue the team was given
with that understanding.
IL IL had been known or suspected at
this time that any such action as has
been taken by President Young was IN
tended. no effort would have been made
by our citizens 20 retain the franchise OF
our club. and they would have gladly have
allowed the team &c 80 TO Hampton at
that time. There would then have been
no reflection cast upon our city In having
the franchise taken from US without the
privilege OF being heard. There is no
question Of the fact that the old manage
ment was loosely conducted, and that by
this reason heavy debt was incurred
above. expenses.
That the cranks are sore is a mild way
10 express the feeling here. and the action
OF the State League at Its meeting IN
Hampton yesterday. when no one from
Petersburg was present TO represent our
team. Is regarded as an injustice.
The comments on the members OF the
Hampton meeting are anything but com
piimentary Our people are satisfied 'hat