New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-14
Morgan g. Bulkeley, First Presi-
dent, Also Was Connecticut's
Chief Executive.
NEW LEADER THE EIGHTH
Nick Young's Term Spread Over
Half of Leagues History. and
He Shaped Its Policies.

only eight presidents, and one OF them'
Nick Young. was at the head of the Or
ganization during nearly half of that
period
The league has never failed to place a
good man at it's head, honesty and eih-
cheney being considered more than wealth.
or station TWO Of the presidents were
Governors of their respective states
Morgan c. Bulkelev. Of Connecticut wEo
was the first president. and John Is. rem
er. of PENNSYLVANIA. elected last week.
Mr.. Buckley IVES elected 20 the presl-
dency IN 1876. the first year OF ITS exist
cncc. lie was the head Of the Hartoru
club and a prominent statesman OF Con
uecticut. who a dozen years later became
the Governor of the state. lie heid the
position Of president only one year, al
though his club remained member OF
the league I'm 1871. lie had been the chair
man OF the meeting at which the National
League was formed and was kept in the
chair. although the temporary secre'dI' %
Harry Wright. made room for NichoiaN
Young who was elected permanent secie-
tary and held the position for twent> =
seven years.
Mir. Rulkeley was not aggressive enough
or was unable to devote time 10 baseOdl'
affairs After his retirement little was
heard of him i'm baseball circles until MS
election to the Goyeruorshp OF Connect
en- when these circles pointed win
rrido" 70 him as a bright representative
Of the game.
Rulkeley was succeeded in 1871 by VIII
lam 4 Uurlbert. of Chicago who prop
only more than any other man rendered.
valuable service to the national game III
elevating its moral tone and eXtirpatihe
tba OWLS which threatened TO ruin II.
During the first year of his administrd-
,iou. in 1877. the crooked work oil the
quartet of Louisville players was disCo'-
cred and punished. The guilty ones were
nlaced on the blacklist. and were never
reinstated. President Hurlbert kept
sbarp lookout, and TO his watchiulness
can he traced the elimination OF pool
Gambling on games. which in those early
davs was potent factor in tempting
PLAYERS to do crooked work.
one of the convicted Louisville players
was linn Devlin, now dead, one OF u'e
greatest pitchers OF his day, who not oh'y
made personal appeals to President nun
bert but secured the support of prolhi-
mont ucopIe. but Hurlbert would not re-
iustate the guilty player. lie Is quotcu
as saving: Jim Devlin, | feel for your
,,ifo and children, and 1 am sorry YOU
have gone astray. This crooked business
has been going on for years ana the one
man of all others that / wanted 10 convict
has escaped. lie was too cunning but
We will keep an eye on him in the nut
ure. Some players had to be sacrlhced
and punished, but you and your felIow
Louisville men had clear cases proved
against you and you must suffer.
Then he went down into his pocket and
gave Devlin S25. 1t is almost certainty
that had the league given indication OF a
willingness to consider the appeals or the
convicted players Hurlbert would instant
IL have resigned, as his successor did
some eight years later.
President Hurlbert died on August TO-.
1882. and was succeeded by A. G. Mills.
Of New York, a man of the same senu-
ment and calbre as his predecessor. Dur
ing his administration the great union
safety compact known as the native
agreement spTang into existence, he be-
ing its author. He was president only
two years. 1883 and 1884. and retired from
Office under circumstances that would
surely have gained for his action the 9p-
proval of the respected Hurlbert.
In 1884 the Union Association was Or
eanized and made war upon the National
League, seizing not only its territory. but
also its players. Jim Mccormick. Charles
Br!ody and Jack Glasscock jumped their
contracts. and three others, Fred Dunlap
George Orator" Schaffer and Charley
sweeney, jumped the reserve rule. When
these six players were rejnstated, the con-
tract Jumper by a payment Of $1,000 and
the reserve jumpers by a payment OF sSOO'
MIR. Mills positively declined reelection.
However. he was made an honorary men,
Ter of the league and was the hrst 10 oe
enrolled on this select list
His successor was Nicholas e. Young
who guided the destinies OF the National
League for eighteen years. from 1888 TO
1902 both inclusive. lie had acted as
secretary since its organization, and wen
deserved the promotion. He was known
alike for the integrity of his character.
the geniality OF his disposition and ms
marked industry and persevering applca-
iior I'm the discharge of his onerous
duties.
After serving the league faithfully
through all it's vicissitudes and changes.
end there were many, including three
mighty wars. "Old Nick" as he was and
still is affectionately termed. laid down
the rcins after the close of the season OF
1909. which saw the end OF the American
League war. the fiercest encountered by
the old baseball body. lie also was placed
on the honor list of the league.
Young's successor was Harry Clay Pull
liam, a young man eminently qualified
TO act as a leader. However, as prom
Inent writer pointed out, he was Of ex-
tremely nervous temperament and wor-
ried excessively over National League
troubles. lie was also obsessed with the
idea that the success Of the league rest
ed entirely upon his shoulders.
30 He was popular among all classes, in
GLIDING baseball magnates. newspaper
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 I'm baseball. lie was reporter
on a newspaper in Louisville when Pres
ident Zach Phelps made him secretary.
From that hour 10 the day Of his death
he was connected with the game. In 1897