Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-03
LYNCH UPHELD.
Did Right in Suspending
And Filming Magee.
The National League Directors
So Decide, Three 10 One.
Murphy OF Chicago Alone Dissents
-.Msgee Is Sorry.

Chicago, Aug BY a vote Of 3 to
| / by the board of directors OF the Ma
tional League today upheld President
Lynch in his action OF filming and sus-
pending Sherwood Magee, outfelder of
the Philadelphia Club for assauiting
Umpire Finneran during a recent game
with St. Louis in Philadelphia Presi-
dent Lynch fined Magee $500 and sus-
pended him for the season. The di-
reetors in a lengthy opinion, in which
the constitution of the league on the
power of the president TO enforce dis
ciplne by imposing fines and suspend
ing player is quoted, sustain President
Lynch filming Magee and barring him
from the game for the season
Later President Murphy of the Chi
cage club filed dissenting opinion.
In their decision the directors sand:
In the hearing of this ease no tes-
timony was offered by the player that
would warrant the board in either re-
hitting or modifying the fine iufliCt
ed against him and his request to do
so is denied
The president of the league acted
clearly within his authority under the
provisions OF the constitution of the
National League ana il should serve
as warning 10 all players where
Charges are preferred against then! uu-
der the provisions OF the constitution
and the suspension BY the president
Tor definite period even if the same
is for rhe remainder Of the playing
season. followed that after a proper
hearing OF the charges no appeal can
be taken, and the suspension as made
viii be enforced"
Tho hrst question that presents it,
self pertains 10 the powers Of the pres
ident and the board of directors OF the
league in & case of this kind The con-
stitution cites Sections s and 5 in the
National League constitution giving
the president absolute power upon
proper proof 70 suspend d PLAYER for
a definite period and 70 impos a I'm
not exceeding $500.
IN the case in question. the presi-
dent of the league aid impose a fine Of
$500 and a suspension for the remain
der Of the season against the player.
ami in doing SO. he acted clearly with
in the powers conferred upon him IN
der the provisions Of the National
League constitution.
Part Of Section = provides: Such
fine can only be RENTED b. the board
Of directors after a hearing on appeal
duly prosecuted.
1T is apparent from this provision of
Section IS that when the president OF
the league in acting in a case Of this
kind. suspends a player for definite
period, as was done in this case. even
II the definite period OF suspension IS
for the remainder OF the playing season.
no appeal can be taken 10 the beard Of
directors. and the suspension as made
must stand, and the players request
that the suspension be modified or Te-
mitted is denied.
That this is the correct construc-
ton Of this provision OF the constitu-
ton cannot be disputed"
Mr. Murphy in his finding said:
Il dissent because il is my opinion,
predicted upon voluntary. eminent lie
gal advice that the intent OF Section
Is. OF the National League constitution
gives the board Of directors authority.
not only to review any and all acts of
the president, but 10 rescind penalties
inflicted in all cases with a ratification
by the league"
After the decision had been handed
down, President Lynch said:
There was nothing else for the
board of directors to do except up
hold me Ny action in this case is full
" covered in the constitution and |
have violated no rule or provision or
the constitution"