Clipping:Association shenanigans

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Date Saturday, January 8, 1870
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In the convention of 1866 a request was made by a prominent New York Professional Club, to have a law passed expelling any member of any club who should be guilty of the offence of selling, or attempting to throw any game of base ball. This law was aimed a three players, who (according to the statement of this club) had been guilty of this act, and these three persons, were, by this law, forever prohibited from participating in any association game. The following year this club found themselves in need of the services of one of these same players and the result is to be seen in the proceedings of the National Association held at Philadelphia, in 1867, vide the action taken in the case of Thomas Devry [sic]. The grounds upon which the decision of the Judiciary Committee was reversed were just, as far as they went, but the ulterior object was gained, and this club was satisfied. Time rolled on past another annual meeting of the National Association, and once more this same club found themselves again in need. This time they wanted a good third baseman, and Mr. Duffy, one of the three above named, was found to possess all those qualifications necessary to fill that position, and the Mutual Club set about accomplishing this object. In the State Convention of New York, held last month, there were found to be fourteen or more clubs on the roll book that had failed to pay their annual dues for 1868-9, and who should thereby have ceased to become members of the State Association; but by a resolution passed they were allowed sixty days in which to pay up or be dropped from the rolls. This action gave New York a representation of eight-one club or nine delegates, as within the sixty days grace the National Association would hold its annual meeting. Of those nine delegates all of the professional clubs of New York obtained one each, the balance being composed of New York men with two exceptions. It will thus be seen that the professional clubs of New York went to the National Association meeting with the balance of power, and could do as they had done before, obtain any object by the judicious distribution of the officers, &c, within the gift of the Association. A resolution was introduced by the New York delegation under instructions from their State Association, to remit the penalty imposed upon Mr. Duffy, and it was done. The Convention should have gone further and accomplished their good work by reinstating Mr. Wansley, who has been unfortunate enough in not being wanted by the Mutual Club. ... How much in contrast has been the action of the Mutual Club in these two cases to that they took when Mr. Wansley joined another club, immediately upon his so doing, charges were preferred against the club receiving him, and the Judiciary Committee decided against Mr. Wansley, and he was obliged to retire disgraced from base ball circles. This is not written to advance any interest of Mr. Wansley, as I have not the honor of his acquaintance, but to show how a certain few have managed to control the last several meetings of the N.A.B.B.P. in the interest of Professionalism.

Source National Chronicle
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Submitted by Richard Hershberger
Origin Initial Hershberger Clippings

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