Waterbury Democrat., 1902-02-24
BASE BALL NEWS.
The Four Clubs Still Stick to
 President Spalding.

| Will Fight Freedman and Brush
 The Courts Will be the Deciding Power-News Clipped From tbe I State League Writers.
 Pittsburg, Feb 24.-After a confer ence of several hours here Saturday by representatives of the Pittsburg, Chica- go, Brooklyn and Philadelphia clubs, members of the National league and American Association of Professional Base Ball Clubs, it was decided to show no signs of surrender to what is known as the Freedman-Brush com bine
 A letter dated from Point Loma, Cal, February 14, 1902, from A. G. Spald- ing, was received, in which he ten dered his resignation of the presidency of the league, if, in the Judgment of the four clubs, it should be deemed advisa- ble to accept it. After a full inter change of views it was unanimously resolved such resignation be disap- 1 proved and respectfully returned to MT 1 Spalding.
 | In their statement, given out after the conference, they say that MT Spald- ing's nomination and election to such | PiN2ANtOhNy NdS III SuppOIL Ol d pl1I1- ciple, which is the eradication from league councils of unfair, unjust and unsportsmanlike methods which have marred the leagues record. In other 1 words these four clubs announce that they want the elimination of what is known as "Brushism' and 'sFreedman- ism,'' without any antagonism, how ever, to the personalities of Messrs Brush and Freedman, who. they say, were and are the authors and eX- ponents of the said isms.
 1 It was further resolved in connection with this matter that We know of no reason why we should abandon such policy, and we believe that A. G. 1 Spalding is the ideal and practical leader to enforce it''
 Inasmuch as the question as to the validity of Mir Spaldings election to the office of president is now pending Ill the supreme court of New York. and as arguments by counsel pro and con on that subject will be made during the trst week of next month. it was thought unwise and impolitic to make any further declaration at present other than that these four clubs will abide, by the decision of the court and Will Join in the converting of a meeting or the eight clubs of the National league, either in recognition of A. C. Spalding as president thereof, or, in the event of an adverse decision of inc court, for the purpose of filling the va- cancy thus declared to exist in that office, in accordance with the constitu- ton of the league and with the rules Of parliamentary law.
 owing to the storm in the east, John l. Rogers of Philadelphia and c. H, Ebbetts and Edward Hanlon of Brook lyn did not arrive until late. The oth- CTS present were James A. Hart of Chicago and Barney Dreyfus of Pitts burg. President Ebbetts. in reference To the report that the Brooklyn club was ready to break away, said before the meeting:
 The Brooklyn club is not weaken ing one iota in it's position, and it's ac- tons at all times will speak louder than words. We are as firm as eyer in our support of MT Spalding.o
 President Hart of the Chicago club also said: Tt is principle or surren- der. We have stood for principle in base ball, and if we do not support MT Spalding we must surrender to Freed man. Spalding is good enough for us. Y
 "We are pretty we'll convinced that It was Dr Reisling who put LID the Brlstol cracks to try to get sent to HarlIord, not because either Reisling Or the other players have anything agalnst Springfield, but because Reis- ing wants to get the men for his Hartford team,' says q New Haven clup oIhclal,n according to the Spring neld Republican correspondent. Who Is the ofi1clal?'' Didn't know of any 'officiaP' in that club excent Owner, Manager and Captain Cana van, and if he said it why nor say so?-Meriden Journal.
 Secretary O'Rourke of the State
 baseball league has decided that Fri Ladd belongs to Hartford. He was the star Derby outfelder and that team was awarded to Hartford lbv the league The New London man. ager has claimed that Derby could not reserve Ladd because his salary
 was not paid in full at the end of tbe season The Derby managers say they do not owe the player anything IT New London wants Hi badly. ar- engagements will have to be made with Manager Reisling. who has first claim on his services.
 "In this fight over the nlavars Hartford and Meriden will stand to- gether New London has stood with the majority, but there are complica- l lions in the present case which make II uncertain how the Whalers will vote this time," writes a New Haven } correspondent of the Springfield Ra- publican to-day. The writer has an other guess. Meriden fought apainSt the award of BristoTs entire tea,n to Springfield, but the league haying de'
 cided that they go there Meridan viii Il
 stand by Springfield in all casas
 where the Bristol players were nron-
 cry reserved Meriden Journal The members of the Watarh,r,,
 Consolidated baseball team held 7
 meeting yesterday afternoon at tba : Earie house and elected John Kallr
 pitcher on the Brooklyn A c faan, of the City league, captain for ,l, t,,a coming season. Kelly has beap ,,,i+,,
 the Consolidated team ever since thal, M,an nrst organized. He is regular
 pitcher and also an excellent fieldar 1fasx&