The evening times., 1897-12-27

The evils Of the farming" system as
exemplified by the fake draft OF players
from the Toronto team by Washington
cause the las seball editor of the Spring
field Union tn make a few remerks Among
other thirrs, he says: This matter IL ir-
wins farm has made the Eastern Leas CUE
the laughing stock of the several lie agnes
Of the country. There can benot the slight
est doubt that the Eastern League inoS'!is
we're one and all firmly convinced that
Irwiu's Toronto team was farmed Tor
Washington last season, and that Eastern
r. Y cn.rue niles were violated In spirit all
season long ny the artful Canuck. In lao
-uiber way could many of lis transactions
he accounted for, although Irwin had
himself interviewed IN every possible occa-
sion and attempted 10 explain away mis-
farming transaction and got mixed up, con
trafi,.ted himself, and belied Earl wagner
aateneuts repeatedly But Irwin had so
,lcve,Iy .a,yered ND his tracks by careful
.y.vui,S ..r>' -s',a-.' Ssis-.n-.rt-ra"'s
no actual proc; to be had against him. But
the moguis failed tn pinch Irwin in any way
? or even to taxi measures which would pre-
vent arepctition OF his sfarn,ins scheme next
wear This can he account ed form onl y Two
v-sysr EftherIrwin la d them aiihypnotiHed
o. the moguls intend to practice the same
methods themselves next-ycar and did nut
xant-tc prevent it.
"A s matters stand at present, the Toronto
club will he 'wagnersfann next year, Just
as this year. In fact. 1t has already oesn
announced euthoritatviely at Washington
YiaC catcher Casey and Outfielier White
viii; ,.returned to the Toronto annex ter
the tiraf ting season expires. Atthe time Of
tteir alleged drafting by Washington II
was believed that they were simply trans
fcrred from the books of the Toronto club
TO washington's books In order to prevent
a possible draft by other clubs. For II any
National League club Were to attempt TO
craft Toronto player it could be done n
the face or the records and the whole
scheme would have To he exposed in br1er
20 prevent IL. In order TO prove his own
ship OF the Toronto players Earl Wagner
would hsve TO give the whole snap away.
Just as Pittsburg did In proving ownership
in the Eagan deal. 1t is much easier and
safer torsdrart' the players and then re
lease them back to Irwin after the draft-
inc sc ason has expired. Just as in the cases
o. White AMI Casey. How many more "
the Toronto players will be returned Is IN
certain. but It is certain that any who ale
re stained 'In Washington will be replaced
sa.iss actorily by Wagner
Ec. Hofion, manager of the Orioles, is
greatly pleased with the makeup OF his
team for The coming season. He says:
II believe the Baltirn club, as at
present constituted, is considerably the
strongest club we ever had. The more ] |
hear of McGaEn and the more / think of |
It, the better pleased l ain with the re- !
cent exchange of players with Washing |
ton. ] believe it Will turn out to DE one |
OF the most advantageous deals we ever |
made. Arthur Irwin had pra ised McGa1n |
10 me before. But that was while he had |
him. i wrote to Irwin recently, asking |
him for This candid opinion OF Nice INNS /
ability. l told him that II McGann was
not strong enough for championship team
] would like to know it, No that could bc
casting about for firstclass man for
first has..
irwin wrote me that I need have 10
lear of NcGaun, and that he had no. The
least idea that any one except the pX-
Toronto player would cover first for al
thnore next season. He says AIcGann is
the fastest big man he ever saw, and that
10 can hammer the ban into right field