Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-05-05

sver, difficult matter to keep these unde-
sirable visitors in check, and while they
are in the presence of decent people they
should be compelled to behave themselves.
New York is not the only city on the
circuit which has diseraoed herself thus
carly In the season, although the outra-
geous conduct at the Polo grounds on tho
opening game with tho champion Bostons
proved TO be q most fragrant breach of the
new rules. 1t is hoped for the fair name
of the city that no more such scenes will
be enacted there. The degradation of the
gane of professional baseball has been
threatened for several years. The players
were allowed too much latitude and tho
rowdy element among the spectators was
given full rein in the use Of obsoenity and
blackguardisIn. The club owners realized
the danger which threatened tho sport and
took drastic measures last winter to wipe
rowdyism off the baseball slate. The
thinking men of the game realized that
the remedy lay with the club owners and
that it was the club owners themselves
who must roScu1 the game. Most OF them
signed the Brush resolution in good faith,
and some possibly did not sign tho agree.
ment with tho IDEA Of living up to it,
They merely did it to escape public cen
sure.
Tho affair In New York is doubly do
plorable because the officials of the club
came out boldly and defended the action
of the players and spectators. While such
things exist decent baseball is impossible.
New York was for years recognized as one
OF the falrest cities on the League circuit,
but that glory no longer belongs to her.
II Andrew Freedman, the present head of
the club, cannot or will not control his
nlaVPrg 81 liaa in tho of he okh nr
club owners to compel him to dol it. Aaron
Stern of the rowdy baseball tribunal was
in Now York the day after the rout at the
Polo grounds, and If he was so disposed
he could have found trustworthy informa-
tion about the attempted assault upon
Umpire Snyder which would make inter.
estiDg reading when presented to tho 9TH
or magnates Of the League for their con-
sideration. Baseball must not be dragged
farther into the slime, and it must be
saved from utter degradation. The only
way that it can be done is by the suppress
sion of ruffianism, and an honorable at
tempt to live up to the Brush rule will ac-
complish that much desired purpose, and
nothing else will do it. Messrs. Club
Owners, it's your say.
The changing about of tho players of
the Brooklyn team SO early in the season
Is unfortunate; still, II changes must be
made, they had better come now than
later. Tim Hurst at St. Louis is in the
same boat. Every follower of the Brook
lyns signs when the position of short stop
on that team is mentioned. Tho club had
in Coroornn one Of the best in tho busi-
ness, but "Corky" could not harmonic
with the powers that were, and he was al
lowed to go TO Cincinnati. Ever since tho
short stop has heen a weak spot in the
make up of the team. This year it was
hoped that Jones would be able to master
the position, but he has not been able to
fill the bill as was expected. Now In
chance Is being tried there. Brookly mites
trust that no will succeed, for the big fel,
low is ono of the most popular men on the
team, and he is q hitter and base runner
as we'll. Many Of the veterans will re-
member the advent OF "Roaring Bill
Kennedy and Luchance in Brooklyn. Kon.
needy was raw country fellow and New
York was full Of wonderful things to him
Bill was used only occasionally the first
year, but he got his salary every LIST and
18th of the month. Bill stood this
thing for time. Ono day he walked
down Fulton street. In tho window of q
big furniture store no saw an Immense
easy chair, and it attracted his admiration
TO such an extent that no went in, pur
chased it and had it sent out to his board
ing house.
"Whst did you want 20 pay all tina
money for that chair for?'' asked one o
the other players.
''Oh, 1 don't know" said Bill. %,
had SO much money that did not know
what to do with Il"
A few days later Kennedy disappeared
and he was not heard of for nearly
month. kilograms to his home finall,
brought letter from William. 1t wa
pithy and to the point and informed th,
management that when the club needed
him to pitch to send for him, that he die
not intend to remain in Brooklyn ant
draw salary and do nothing for ii in re
turn. Bill has probably learned the way
of the game since then, and he may no
be SO solicitcus about earning his salary.
Lachance was raw youth, and he wa,
the butt OF several Of the Veterans OF tho
team. They plagued and leased him until
the big fellow thought seriously of quit.
ting the business. Con Daily, tho vet,
eran catcher, was one Of Lachance's worst
tormentors. He WAS rs big as Ilachance,
but he was not nearly so strong, as ha
found ont later. Finally Inrhanro oonld
not stand Dnily's prauks any longer. One
seX AtssE Q gaRe Daily was a Nttle Eaugh'