Clipping:Clarkson on his jump to the League

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Date Wednesday, January 22, 1890
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[from an interview of Clarkson] “...General Dixwell then made me an offer to play with the Brotherhood.”

“Did he ask you how much you wanted?”

“I told him to make me an offer.”

“How much did he offer you?”

“Six thousand dollars.”

“What did you say?”

“I told him it was not enough. Negotiations ceased right there and then. A day or two later I received a telegram from Mr. Billings, the treasurer of the Boston League Club, offering me considerably more than General Dixwell had proposed, and I accepted the terms and agreed to play for three years.”

“Did you act as Mr. Conant's agent on the Pacific slope?”

“Yes; I signed Smith, Ganzel and Hardie, the California catcher, whom I regard as an excellent ball player.”

“Had the Brotherhood offered you the same terms as the League people, would have you decided to play with them?”

“As I said before, I had agreed not to do anything until I saw Mr. Conant and talked the situation over with him. The Brotherhood has construed this as a prearranged affair between the Boston club management and myself, when on the contrary I was my own free agent. Had I determined to play with the Brotherhood I should certainly have made my position known to Mr. Conant before signing a Players' contract. This was but fair to the Boston Club people, because they have treated me nicely, paying $10,000 for me release, and should naturally get the benefit of their investment. I expect that the players who belong to the Brotherhood are sore against me because I joined the League after becoming a Brotherhood man. It is true that I attended their meetings while on the California trip, but I was acting in good faith. I was not acting as an agent for the Boston Club while attending the Brotherhood meetings. As soon as I had made up my mind the joint the League I stopped all negotiations with the Brotherhood and refused to enter their councils.

Source The Sporting Life
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Submitted by Richard Hershberger
Origin Initial Hershberger Clippings

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