Clipping:Cincinnati to be expelled; the reserve rule upheld
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| Date | Saturday, October 16, 1880 |
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| Text | The preliminary caucus meeting of the League Club delegates was held at Rochester, N.Y., last week, and was called to order Oct. 4, with the following representatives of the League Association present, viz.” N. A. Hulbert of Chicago, president; N. E. Young, secretary, E. G. Smith of Buffalo; J. F. Evans of Cleveland; H. T. Root of Providence; A. H. Soden of Boston; W. C. Kennett of Cincinnati; Freeman Brown of Worcester; and C. R. De Freest of Troy. Mr. Bancroft was not sent by the Worcesters, as he was opposed to the five-men rule, and so was Mr. Soden, although the original author of the rule. Mr. Smith of Buffalo and Mr. Kennett of Cincinnati were opposed to the rule. The Buffalo Courier says: “after two days of discussion the League settled down to real work on Wednesday. The Buffalo representative had returned, and Mr. Kennett was on hand with the telegram from his Board of Directors: ‘Stick to your position, accept any amendments but don’t give up the main question.’ Mr. Hulbert asked Mr. Kiennett what the news was from Cincinnati? The latter immediately replied that he should not recede from the stand he had taken, although he was ready to accept any compromise. Mr. Hulbert said that the meeting could not go on with their further business until this matter was definitely settled. He wanted to ascertain from Cincinnati whether her club would say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the agreement. If they held off any longer, the club would forfeits its membership in the League. The subject under discussion was now practically a law, as seven delegates had pledged themselves to support it at the annual meeting in December. Mr. Kennett said he was willing to have the sale of liquor restricted to a bar under the grand-stand, and he would give his word that the directors would exert themselves to do away with the custom as fast as the prejudice in its favor could be overcome. To this offer Mr. Hulbert replied that he failed to see how the other delegates could accept any such amendment of the original articles, and did not think that they could stultify themselves, having already given their vote for the first agreement. A resolution was then submitted to the effect that the Cincinnati Club vacated its membership in the League if its representative did not make a formal assent or negative to the agreement prohibiting Sunday games and sale of liquors on League grounds. Seven delegates voted in favor of the resolution. Mr. Kennett styled such legislation as infamous, and he believed that it was nothing more nor less than an attempt to oust his club. Courtesy, however, demanded that they should permit him to telegraph to his Board and obtain a final answer. This privilege was granted, and Mr. Kennett then left the meeting. Before doing so he said to Secretary Young: ‘I want to enter my formal protest against all proceedings that shall be enacted at this meeting.’ With the distasteful element from Cincinnati out, the gathering proceeded to hold a more than ordinarily secret conclave. Each delegate solemnly swore, as were informed, not to disclose the results of their deliberations after a two hours’ session their business was concluded, and the representatives came downstairs. Our representative was enabled to gather an outline of the result of the afternoon’s proceedings. The five-men matter was discussed. The Buffalo representative opposed it vigorously, and made a desperate fight, but he was outnumbered. The other delegates had made up their respective minds, and decided to send their pet policy through flying. All law, courtesy, and everything else were thrown aside to let Worcester, Troy and Cleveland have their best men. Buffalo was most emphatically sat upon, and the six delegates voted to renew the reservation agreement signed at Buffalo in 1879. Among other things learned was the fact that the Boston delegate, who had not been in favor of the plan, was pacified by the agreement of all not to approach Snyder and permit Boston along to sign him. All but Buffalo signed this bond, and the baseball slavery-act once more became a reality. Such cramping of the interests of the players, and designating where and how they shall play, is preposterous. The delegates all left for home without doing anything further with the Cincinnati matter.” New York Clipper October 16, 1880 [per NL minutes 10/4 seven clubs signed an agreement to vote to prohibit Sunday games and liquor sales.] |
| Source | New York Clipper |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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