Evening star., 1913-12-14
TENER IS EIGHTH PRESIDENT
OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
Nicholas E. Young Washington Man, Served Eighteen
Years Head of the Organzation-Othe
Who Have Guided the Circuit


the marked industry and persevering ap-
plication in the discharge of his onerous
official duties. After serving the league
faithfully through all its vicissitudes and
changes-and there were many, including
three mighty wars-"Old Nick" as he was
down the reins after the close of the sea-
son of 1902, which saw the end of the
American League war. the fiercest en-
countered by the old base ball body He
also was placed on the honor list of the
league.
Young's successor was Harry Clay Pull
liam, young man eminently qualified to
act as a leader. However. as a promi-
nent writer pointed out, He was OF
extremely nervous temperament and Wor-
ried excessively over National League
troubles He was also obsessed with the
idea that the success of the league rested
entirely upon his shoulders" He was
popular among all classes of people, in
cluding base ball magnates. players, news
paper men and fans. For over five years he
was the most picturesque figure in base
ball. His qualifications for the office of
president was based on his previous ex-
periences In base ball. He was reporter
on a newspaper in Louisville when PreSi-
dent Zach Phelps made him secretary.
From that hour to the day of his death
he was connected with the game. In 1897
and 1898 he was a member of the Ken
lucky legislature, but at the same time
was president Of the Louisville club, then
one of the twelve members of the Ma
tional League. He was secretary of the
Louisville club in 1889. Barney Dreyfuss
being president, and occupied that posi-
ton when the Louisville and Pittsburgh
teams were consolidated in 1900.
He remained the secretary of the Pitts
burgh club until 1908. when he was raised
to the presidency of the National League.
Early in his administration. in 1908 and
1905, he incurred the enmity of John L.
Brush OF New York and August Herr
mann of Cincinnati. Brush's d.spleasure
rose from the fact that Pulliam dared to
discipline John McGraw, his manager.
for rowdy tactics on the playing field.
Hermann appeared to have some other
candidate that he favored for president.
forces. which left Brush the only op-
ponent of the young president in 1908.
and he remained away from the meet
ing. The same state of affairs prevailed
at the election In 1909. when Pulliam for
the fifth time succeeded himself.
However. it was not long before he
gave indications of collapse in
health and mental arrangement On
July % he shot himself, the ball pass
ing through his head. destroying both
eyes. On the following day, July %,
1909. he died.
For Pulliam's unexpired term the
league selected John A. Heydler, who
had been elected secretary and treas
The new president was and still is an
able and energetic young man. In his
early days he became a printer and
later a reporter on Washington news
papers. He was an officer Of the Amateur
Athletic Union, and In this capacity dis
played great capabilities in the or
ganization of the clubs and leagues. He
was a substitute umpire in the National
League under President Young for four
years. At the annual meeting of the
league last Tuesday he was continued
as secretary for the next two years.
The seventh president of the Ma
tional League was THOMAS ]. Lynch
who held Office during four years. 1910
11-12-13 His election came as sur
prise to the public, as he was never
At the annual meeting In December OF
1909, candidates were In the held, John
NJ Ward and Robert M. Brown. and
each received four votes. creating a
deadlock Finally the name of Lynch
was presented and he was unanimously
elected Lynch's name was known to
a the base ball world as stron and an
honest man. He made his enVlable repu-
tation as an umpire III the National
League, when his integrity and frmness
gained him the title of king OF I'm
pires" He was born in New Britain
| Conn, where he played amateur ball
In 1884 he began his successful career
as umpire in the Eastern League
| In lhSD ana lSSO lie WdS oAi SHC dihPi
staff of the New England League, and In
1887 he was signed by the Nationa
| League, and remained on the staff until
| August of 1899. when he resigned.
Tener Last of Line.
The eighth president of the Nationa
| League is John X. Tener whose marvel
| Gus success in everything he undertake.
| must be taken as a guarantee that he Wi
become one OF the best men ever placed
| in that exalted base ball position. H
was a strong pitcher in his day. He wa
with the Chicago National League team
| In 1855 and 1850, and during the winte
between these two years toured the wor
| with his team. In 1890 he was secretar
| of the Pittsburgh Players League club
| and one of the teams regular pitchers. |
| 1891 he quit base ball and went into tn
| banking business as cashier for a Char
| leroi, Pa, institution. In 1907 he wa
elected a member of the Sixty-fourth Con
gress, and in 1911 was inaugurated a.
Governor of Pennsylvania, an office whici
he still holds.