The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-04-03
SPALDING is OUT
RESIGNS HIS CLAIM AS CHIEF Eek.
ECUTIvE.
NATIONAL LEAGUE AT PEACE
W. G. TEMPLE OF PITTSBUR0
ELECTED PRESIDENT.

Mr.. spnIding's Letter of Resignation
Presented by Hart of Chicago-Re-
hearses His Plans for the Elevn-
ton of the sport and Says That as
IL Is Not Possible for This Plat
form to Be Carried Ont He Prefers
to ResiEn-The Letter Received
and the Incident Declared Closed.
Nick Young Is Secretary.
New York, April 1.-The National
League baseball war is practically end
ed. A. G.. Spalding has resigned his
claim as chief executive of the big
organization and the office will be ten
dered to William C. Temple of Pitts
burg. There will be no further con-
test in the courts.
Mr.. Spaldings letter of resignation
was presented to the magnates at the
second days session of the peace con-
ference at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. The
letter was presented by James Hart.
president of the Chicago Club.
The letter was addressed to the Ma
tional League and Association of Pro-
fessional Baseball Clubs and read as
follows:
Gentlemen: In accepting the pres
idency of the National League, to
which office l was informed last De-
cember 1 had been duly elected. pro-
mulgated the following platform as the
policy of my administration:
ITO promote, Foster, elevate and per-
petuate the game of baseball, the ma
tional field sport of America.
ITO eliminate all Objectionable fea-
lures that may tend to degrade and
demoralze the sport
ITO inculcate in the governors of the
game, club officials, umpires, players
and everyone interested in or connect
ed with the national spot, a realiza-
ton of what true craftsmanship is,
and to subordinate the financial side
of the game.
ITO cultivate among the players a
desire for the highest athletic develop
ment, that they may by their skillful-
ness, integrity and gentlemanly de-
pertinent, both ON and off the field,
raise their profession to a high plane
and add lustre and interest to the nat
ional game.
ITO establish a central governing
body in which all professional base
ball interests shall be properly repre-
scented, this body to be clothed with
ample power to carry into effect these
and other objects that tend to main
tain the integrity and high standard
of the game"
Conditions have arisen which, in
my opinion, make it impossible at this
time to carry out all the principles
embodied in the above platform and
as no compromise or modification of
these principles will be satisfactory to
me, l have decided to discontinue fur
Their efforts in this direction and here
by tender my resignation as president
of the National League and respect
fully insist that it be accepted without
delay.
II wish to emphatically declare that
l am prompted in this action solely by
the belief that prolonging u factional
political warfare into the playing sea-
son would be distasteful 10 the public,
injurious to the National League in
particular and to professional base
ball in general. Respectfully,
"A. G. Spaiding.'
This Ends the Struggle.
Thus ends one of the bitterest in
ternal struggles that has ever shaken
the National League and wh1cN threat
ened to wreck the premier baseball or
ganization.
While Mr.. Temple has not been for
mally elected to the chief executive Of
flee of the league, it was decided unan-
imously to offer him the place.
Mr.. Temple was at one time owner
of the Pittsburg club, and is a man
of large means. He is known as a
lover of the sport, but it was felt here
tonight that he might possibly decline
the honor rendered him because the
league has decided to establish its per-
msnent headquarters in New York,
which might conflict with his other in
terests. 1t has also been decided to
make the offices of president and Sec
rotary and treasurer separate. The
latter Office, according to the best in
formation, will be rendered to N e.
Young. Mr.. Young said tonight he
would accept the office.
At to-dav's session all were present
except Abel of Brooklyn. The mag
mates. discussed constitutional amend
ments with a view of establishing some
kind of executive head for the league.
Mr.. Hart described how in California,
on March 8, Mr.. Spalding gave him
the letter of resignation.
Mr.. Freedman and his followers con-
tended that Mr.. Spalding had never
been elected president of the league
and therefore could not resign the Of
Ace. The matter was solved by a
tiAOltOn u SlHply QeCldIS lue eUllIe
incident closed"
Others Who Were Mentioned.
Edward B. Talcott, former owner Of
the New York team was first pro-
posed for president, but it was found
he could not accept.
Freedman and Brush then made a
proposition to do away with the Office
of president and to appoint commit
tee of three members to govern the
league, but it was abandoned, as Sc
rious opposition developed.
Soden of Boston was mentioned, but
declined. Hart proposed Harry Pull
Hams name, but Pulliam in return
proposed William c. Temple of Pitts
burg. A telegram was sent to Mr.
Temple, who is now in Florida, advis-
ing him and asking him If he would
accept. 1t was decided to play under
the same rules as last year. The foul
strike rule was Incorporated in the
Book Of Rules.
1t was decided that the pitcher should
not have more than one minute in
which to warm up prior to any one
inning before delivering the ball; he
not being allowed to deliver more than
nVo halls hpfOro NAV