The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-02

pulsiOn for Life Provided by the
COde-TribunaI of Three to
Carry Out the New Rules of the
League.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, March 1.-The base
ball magnates of the National league
Were tired out with their late session Of
last night, and it was long after 10
o'clock, the hour set for converting,
when they came together. Very little
business was transacted at the morn
ing session. 1t pertained to telegraph
and railroad matters. The telegraph
question was settled by allowing each
club TO do business with which ever
telegraph company it chooses. The
railroad committee, not having closed
arrangements with the companies for
rates, was continued in Office indefi-
nitely.
At the afternoon session the doors
were thrown open to newspaper men,
who were given an opportunity to lis
ten to the report of the committee, ap-
pointed last year, to devise means for
doing away with rowdyism on the ball
field. John I. Brush chairman of the
committee, presented the report, which
embodied communications from base
ball magnateS, umpireS, members of
the press and others interested in the
national game. These communications
showed the necessity of adopting some
measure to do away with the evil. All
of the club representatives present
spoke in favor of such action, but diff
fered as to the details.
On motion of President James A.
Hart, of Chicago, the press representa-
tives present We're asked to express
their opinion on this subject. They
Were unanimously in favor of some ac-
ton looking toward the doing away OF
rnxx rflx-iS- nd 1oro, ~
AS the unanimous views of the COM
mittee, Chairman Brush submitted a
measure for the suppression of OBJ
scene, indecent and vulgar language
upon a ball field by players engaged
in playing game of ball during the
championship season. A vote was TAX
en- on the measure and it was adopt
ed unanimously.
Mr.. Robson, of Cleveland, explained
that whatever opposition he had
shown to such legislation had been for
the purpose of bringing out an express
sion of opinion. In the absence of
President Freedman, of New York, his
vote was cast by A. H. Soden, of Bos-
ton.
Stringent Rules.
In pursuance of this measure of re-
form and to carry into effect it's intent,
twenty-three regulations of some
follows:
The measure provides that the regula-
tons shall be explained TO and read by all
players and employees in the league, who
shall then be obliged to sign them for the
purpose of showing this legislation had been
brought to their attention.
1t is provided that it shall be competent
for any person or persons, whetner play
ers, manager. umpire, club official OF any
club, or spectator, to submit information
and testimony in writing under oath con-
corning obscene, indecent or vulgar Ian
guage during the progress Of game by
player or employe of Nauonal league club
Of which they have personal knowledge.
All charges OF offense under this meas
ure shall be submitted to the president OF
the league under oath within forty-eight
hours of It's alleged occurrence, the man
ager shall Immediately furnish copy OF
the same TO the accused for his defense
with the written notice of suspension, il
any.
Five days. after the receipt thereof by the
accused, shall be allowed the one charged
with the offense, for transmitting to the
president of the league, under oath, of the
defense, and the case when thus prepared
shall be submitted by the PRESIDENT to a
tribunal of three judges selected by this
league to be called the board of disci-
pline," who shall have absolute authority
to acquit or convict upon the evidence sub
mitted according to the rules adopted for
it's government and from which there shall
be appeal except to the board of direc-
tors of the league.
board, the president of the tribunal shall
carefully consider it from the evidence
submitted, taking into account the nature
and gravity of the offense its Importance
as affecting the welfare of the national
game, the provocation for It's commission
and suG[ other circumstances as may be
submitted that entitled to be consid-
cred, and he shall report in writing his
opinion and finding in the premises and If
the offense be proven he shall aftiX the pen
atty that in his judgment should be i'm
sod and
his opinion and conclusions and all the pa
pers, to his associate nearest the territory.
who shall attach his opinion and conclu-
sions and judgment, and forward the same
to the remaining member of the tribunal,
who shall forward his opinion, conclusion
and finding and all the papers in the case
to the president of the tribunal and he In
turn shall return the papers and opinions,
conclusions and findings to the president of
the league, who shall carry into effect the
Judgment of said board or majority
thereof by suspending the player from his
club for the period determined by the trib-
anal a majority, or acquit him, as the
case may be.
In Case of Division.
When the members of the tribunal or
majority thereof do not agree upon a
judgment, the president of the league shall
select some one of the opinions as the one
to be followed, crowded it be not the ex-
IRENE penalty, and that shall be consid-
cred the judgment and be enforced.
The penalties for using Obscene indie
cent or vulgar language within the mean
ing and intent of this measure are entirely
within the discretion of the tribunal and
may be suspension for days. for months,
for the uneXpired season, for a year, or for
life, according to the conditions, circum-
stances and nature of the offense, 1t being
the sentiment of the league that creates
this law that unwarranted, unprovoked and
brutal use of vulgarity to a spectator or
within the presence of spectators and with
in the hearing of ladies', should debar the
offender for ever from service with his
club or any other club member of this
league or subjece to its jurisdiction.
The extreme penalty imposed in this
measure, viz, life expulsion, shall re-
quire the unanimous approval of the three
members of the tribunal, and provided also.
before imposing such penalty, the
cused shall be notified that he can defend in
person and by counsel, if he elects, in
which event the president of the tribunal
shall call a meeting of said board at tome
city to be selected by him. most convenient
to the members and the accused.
That justice may be done and no wrong
committe it shall be competent for either
parties to a case submitted to the tribunal
to show under OATH the character and
standing Of those who make the charges
and give evidence, and before the "life ex-
pulsion" can be imposed the accused NAV
If he elects, have the opportunity of cross
examining the witnesses against him by
depostions.
There shall be appeal from a decision
by the tribunal, or a majority for a re-
hearing a reopening of a case excent
IF there is history IF