The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-17

There was something uncommonly strange
about the meeting of the Central League
meeting at Terre Haute last Thursday. The
managers gave out the report that the
meeting was exceedingly harmonious and no
differences existed among the various club
owners. That is a striking contrast to the
stories that were sent broadcast from the
various cities i'm the organization before
the meetingi The magnates had made 1t
known that there would be a change in
the circuit and three cities-PeOria, Dan
vile. ILL.,, and Paducah, Ky, clamored for
admission. 1t was also announced that the
officers would be changed. as the league
did not care to take chances on a repeti-
ton Of the serious plumbers that were made
last season The magnates decided to re-
tain the eight cities that comprised the
circuit last season and the announcement
caused much regret on the part of the
men from Danville and Peoria, who had
been led to believe that they stood very
good chance Of obtaining franchises. Then
the league went into session again and as
stunned jollying policy regarding the can
didates for the presidency. The candidates
were so numerous that it was deemed adj
visable for them to appear for trial be-
fore the magnates and state cause why
they were harbOring the presidential bee.
They were asked, What would you do if
elected president" not who would you
do?" If a prospective president could tell
all he would do as chief executive of a
baseball organization before being elected,
he would put Ban Johnson to shame. One
OF the candidates was asked If he would
spare the time from his other position to
visit the cities in the league. He replied
that if the salary connected with the pres
ident's office were large enough. he would
spend all of his time on the circuit. The
magnates did not appreciate the rich un-
dercurrent of sarcasm. After hearing all
of the candidates state their qualifications
for the place, it was then up to Mr.. Bement
to announce that he would willingly serve
the league again as it's president. providing
the magnates were willing. He was unani-
mousy reelected to the office. The mag
mates, or at least part of them, desired a
new president, but they could not help re-
memberiug a few of the stormy times last
season when Mr.. Bement dug into his pOck-
cts for about $500 to help keep the league
on its feet. They knew that he made mis-
takes in conducting the office, but they
were wise enough to know that it was
right to reward a man who had so willingly
put into circulation so much coin for the
good of the cause. They decided to take
another chance. believing that Bement
would profit by his mistakes of last sea-
son and the coming year would give a
better administration. But it seemed like
a peculiar farce to have the other presi-
Dental candidates gather at the meeting
when there was no chance of any of them
being elected.
The league did not change its circuit.
because the magnates were afraid they
could not better it. Wheeling is a good ball
town, but is somewhat removed from the
other cities. Peoria would be better but
there some doubt as TO Danville, Ill.
With the Grand Rapids club owned by
local capital in that city and having a
downtown park, that city will support a
good team. Dayton seems to be the weak
est proposition in the league, because of the
street railway strike. With a better sched-
ule there will be a chance for nearly all of
the cities making money.