The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-02
eyes of the msrnste, wit were not near the

thhJb uOIp bHOulu w ~ ~
such could be done. as well as for players, for he
claimed that many r%ufianly patrons of the
language than that attributed to players.
Daniel Campbell. eX.Lengue umpire, said that
In his experience AL teams In The League ea;
used filthy and abusive language to him while
he oficiated. on the staff, He further stated
that It was his honest belief that he would still
bo employed as an umpire by, the National
League. and that his work would be %satisfac-
guago that was used to him In such n manner
that he was compelled to resign out OF self:re.
spect., Robert ,Emslic In his statement said that
he had been called obscene names last season at
New York and Washington.
Tim Hurst said that in his seven years expe,
rience only n small percentage of players had
used dirty talk, but that these men were con-
slant Offenders. and that their language was
n mShs ,h n 4o wToie I Inn. sohn,n eda IN Lhsns w Ir ,
Joseph HornunR, In his statement. said that he
had heard unspeakable language used by mem
bers OF the New York. Philadelphia. st. Louis.
Pittsburg, Cleveland, and Louisville clubs.
William +. Hongland. who did not remain very
said that tho Presidents OF tho clubs were
afraid to enforce the rules. and that they were
to, blame. He showed that as soon rs an umpire
tried to compel players to obey the rules he was
protested. He further said that while he offlci-
ated on the League staff he was continually
in certain Western cities because he would not
consent to rob the visiting teams,
to great insults, and INA had ii heard tho West Ian.
guagc at New York. Plttsburg, Louisville, and
CLEVELAND. }. J. Kelly gave Instances Of vul:
Louisville. A clevcrly worded communication
from, Thomas J. Lynch. one of the Leagues best
umpires, was to the effect that in order to stop
all OF the troubles, that have grown into a dis.
graceful state OF affairs. the umpires sho1ld
G eHTs the The unanimous 9nst ~ " S,,ssu1p support Of the League
the magnates should not dodge away by bag
Cling over the punishment OF any star player,
toughest language he had ever heard was used
at baltimore, philadelphia. New York. Cincin-
Derrnott, who was on the staff last year: said
that frightful language was used at New York,
Louisville. and Philadelphia, and that some Of
an outlaw to hang his head and blush. lie EN-.
phasized the fact that a great deal of
stopped by the club owners and managers. I'm.
piro Murray, who was mobbed on several
occasions two years ago, said that he first UNI
he did not have one OF his decisions protested or
disputed. Ho further said that when he got
broke mis- heart. He also showed whore rowdies
grabbed him by the throat; where one PLAYER
lining a captain who had been ordered to play
ball. and also illustrated the behavior of an
other rowdy, who deliberately stepped on his
b. S. Muckenfuss. President of the st. Louis
Club. presented a string Of sentences and
epithets which he had heard on the st. Louis
grounds and they created "a sensation. Umpire
ODay stated that he was continually abused,
threatened. and browbeaten, besides being sub
lected to the most obscene insults. George
Weidman showed where filthy language had
prevailed at Cleveland. Baltimore. and Cincin-
tion. flayed the toughs who had insulted him at
Cleveland. Cincinnati, New York. Pittsburg,
After reading over all of these communioa-
tions and repeating word for word the various
epithets and filthy sentences, Brush paused a
moment and viewed the magnates with a sig
niticant expression on his determined face.
Then, after a moment or two. he went on by
saying in the most emphatic manner:
'SOmetlinp must no done. there Ia mn rom
for doubt about that. The National League is
on the defensive and the public will not take
any excuses. An endeavor has been made to
treat this matter in such n way and to draw
up a rule to stop, such behavior in such u man.
a respect for II ball player who is earnest, am
bilious and anxious to win a game by legiti-
Rmt z am means e9,sr tb | am nIoI not w after E I'll, that IT,. player m
self as to say these things as the umpires have
shown; never want to sec him on the
there is no public interest. Owners Of Clubs
cannot employ, players. If the newspapers
retrorres sion the they sH Will n not te prin tee soeSsn 81 i Of
and that will kill the interest in short order.
" We must therefore court public interest and
legal lines. Baseball is not n legitimate enter.
prise. We do things that would not be legalized
legislate to suit ourselves and at the same time
be fair and just; Everybody knows that we
have no legal right to say where a player must
Is forced to obey. We try in every Instance to
be fair and just. and in this matter we will be as
history of the National League.
In this measure, which will read to you
be oiku known W II as sF1 The Hoard sp pr 81 nisc Z tr,oup wb,t TO
shall consider all such cases as como under this |
head. 1t Is proposed to compose this board of
League and who can be expected to deal with |
impartially. In order, therefore, to
The measure. after careful thought. has con.
Guided that the tribunal should be appointed
Inconsequence We have selected L.
Y. hrauthof OF Kansas City. who. everybody |
knows, is a clever baseball man, having at one
lime beer. President Of the American Associa-
Of Cincinnati. who was also President
the American Association in 1891. and is a
Detroit' who ait Is Weli kS Sn@ t fr hi, n io S.esrns sG Of
integrity, These gentlemen have been COM
nunicated with, and they say they will serve. |
them TO neglect their private business"
Mr.. Brush then read his measure. which is as
"A measure entitled a measure for the SUP.
OF obscene. indecent and vulgar Ian
yuage upon the ball field by players engaged in
playing a game, of ball during the champion.
ship season, while under contract to n club,
member OF the National League and American
md that the game may retain its high position
Is respectable and worthy of confidence and
,,npport Of the refined and cultured classes Of
citizenship.
I'm pursuance OF this measure of reform and
o define and carry into effect its intent and
VI pooOs' Dc u TcSDINcu as IDlIOWS.
"First-lt shall be the duty of each club Presi-
lent OF chief officer to furnish TO the manager
'r captain OF his team n printed or lypewritten
'opy or this enactment, together with a copy of
,tfcnccs and evils'which are sought to be- RENE
lied by this measure. all of which shall be read
md fully explained TO all OF tho PLAYERS and
OF tho club at the beginning of the
contract season and to all others who NAV
join the club during the PLAYING sea-
ION, and a copy thereof shall also be delivered
% such players and employees. and the captain
md manager of each club shall OBTAIN for and
teivcr.to the President OF said club, who shall
within five days thereafter forward tho same to
he President of the League. the signatures OF
III the players and employees of said club, ac.
that this legislation with all OF its
has been brought to each and eyery
and employees attention.
SCcond 10 perpctuate baseball as the ma
ional game of the United States, preserve its
espectability, surround 1t with such additional
as to warrant absolute public conf
Ience in its methods and purposes, 10 reform
nd promote the mutual interests OF professional
clubs and professional baseball play.
rs. ~ shall be competent for any person or per
on, whether player. manager, umpire or club
iilrial nj any club. mcmbcP of this League, or
~ltcclhlur. to submit information and tcsti.
nnnr IN, writing under oath concerning oh.
Gene, Indecent or vulgar language COthCr than
roianitN, that being otherwise and especially
for in the playing rules during the
or n game upon tho ball field by a
layer or employee of a National League club
I which they have lpTSpnul kpnNlnInn Tha