The evening times., 1899-02-21

The ST. Louis Republic recently sent the
following query to John T. Brush. Presi-
dert Of the Cincinnati Baseball Club:
If the St Louis franchise Is sold to parties
unsatisfactory to the League, and If the court,
which sells franchise forces said parties upon
the League against its efforts. is il possible
That in the reduction to eight League
81 Louis might be left out OF the circIitZ
Ia reply John T Brush sent the follow
ing letter. which is of much interest to
fandom with reference TO the St. Louis sit
uation:
John T. Brush's Answer.
Your supposition that an undesirable party
could be forced upon the League i incoiisis-e en-
with the League constitution. The League i
composed Of twelve cities, represented al the
conventions Of tins body by delegates from the
original and existing organizations Ia those
twelve cities which formed the compact Every
action that has ever been taken by the League
ha- been done by a Nothing can bc done,
uc matter how trivial how important. except
b, and with the consent Of the majority
The present organization. representing the city
al - Louis notwithstanding il is in the hands
at the receiver, has equal power with every other
city ia the Leagues legislation. ndef the con
~titutiun of the League, no other city or organi-
zaiiun could be permitted 10 sit or be represented
iu League conventions without the ~ Louis rep
reS.ntstion had had chance 10 vote upon IL.
THIS j. the law and contract. the framing Of
which was participated in 10y the organization
In ~. Louis which Is now in the hands OF the
receiver and it has equal binding force upon all
PARTIES 10 II.
Compact Governs the Conditions.
The compact governs the conditions. First. it
= specified thar there shall be twelve clubs 10
,al.-d in the present rwelFe cities, which shall
NOT be increased diminished for a period OF
Isn wears, or such other clubs as MAY from time
90 time be elected 10 membership not forced
upan-but elected. 4 point few wears
ago the Cleveland club had offer ion club
sud League privileges from Detroit syndicate
and asked permission ut the League. a. provided
in The rules, 10 make the sale. The adverse
yaic of Boston blocked the deal IL would nave
been q matter for League consideration Lad ths
Cleveland club, party 10 Ihe agreement, desired
Is Sall 10 other Organization without 4
change Of cities, If it had been proposed IL
,hauge cities without change ot organization
TIN. constitution i contract between twelve
organizations. with the explicit agreement that
There shall be change, either IN org1nlzati"ii'
Or cities. except in certain manner prescribed
In the contract and that manner give every
member of the League the right T." sav ye- OF
NJ. and the contract SAYS also n" club >'iall be
admitted 20 membership without making "fli
Ten application, aud the voting upon ~'irh App'l
.rtipn shall he 10y ballot
The Delegate Question.
Spartsnan'- Park and Club can send its dele
gates To the League long A. IL j. in exist
r.,,. and remain, In good standing. ANY othe'
urgJuizati0n than thar from -. Louis mus
come in ii it comes al al. through the onl,
door left open for this purpose hy the League
wlscn IL formed the compact. II Sportsman
Park and Club could not force the delegates A."
au unknown organization upon the League cal
q court. whose office J. Ia administer SIMPLY II
s-~ar- for the benefit or creditors. DO 80
q ii can. thea the principle OF doing Indircctil
What cannot be- done directly Viii have been e.
fslIiShed To illustrate this point. -'Ipp"se. whel
-a. League refused consent 10 the transfer o
Cleveland 10 Detroit. the Cleveland club hs
secured the appointment of receiver. and i
the sale that followed the Detroit syndicate ha
bought the club from the sheriff. would 1t b
held JuJt by this roundabout method and yer
,a>y nt accomplishment. the express terms an
agreement 81 the contract constitution cou
!sa -yJied.