Jan. 1O. THE SPORTING LIFE. 9

BASE BALL.PHILADELPHIA HEWS.THE MARY APPLICANTS FOR THE COY-

ETED ATHLETIC FRANCHISE.

Four Parties in the Field-The Wag­ ners in the Lead Harry Wright's

Condition He Thoraton Case.PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 9. As we write

President Thurman, of the American Asso­ ciation, is in the city interviewing the various applicants for the Athletic franchise. One ot these is the steamboat man, Win. J. Rus­ sell, who is so anxious to get the franchise that he is willing to pay the money the club owes to its old players. The other party is the new club organized by the minority stockholders of the old Athletic Club. There is said to be an understanding between these two parties that whichever gets the franchise, the other shall he given aa interest in the club. The third party mentioned in connec­ tion with the franchise and the one most likely to receive it (if it really wants it) is the Phila­ delphia Players' Club represented by the Wagner brothers. Their prospects arc de- cidrdly the best because both Thurman and Ppalding are committed to them, although Spalding is now trying to crawl out of his ob­ ligation. There is a fourth applicant,,a Mr. Fritz, who claims to have purchased the fix­ tures and lease of the old grounds atTwenty- ei.xth and Jefferson streets. His chances are bout nil.

SPALDING'S LRTTKB.Spalding's letter to President Reach, pub­

lished in another column, has been rather sharply commented upon. The Item gives him a hard rap, as follows:

"Mr. Spalding has seen flt to deny, in & letter to Mr. A. J. Reach, that he promised to exert hi* influence toward getting the coveted fran- cbi.-o of the Athletic Club for the Wagner broihors.

"Tho great mogul declares that he only intro- du^'el Mr. J. K.irie Wagner to President Thur- xnrtn, to whom ho recommended that the Asso­ ciation club in Philadelphia bo giyoa to the owners of the Payers' club.

"In his characteristic omnner tha wily Spuld- !HS - s preparing the way for ft hedge.

"He now says that the whole matter is now in tuo bunds of the American Association, which is perfectly competent to decide who shall rep- re-ent the Association in Philadelphia without farther suggestions from mo or any National Lffiirue sources."

"This reads very nicely, but it looks very much aa if Mr. Spalding was waiting 'to see vlii^h way tbe eat is going to jump,' and which­ ever way that may be, he will see to it that it is Ilic right way for Spalding."

Rpnlding'g letter sliows what a crafty trim­ mer he is. lie promised the Athletic fran­ chise to the Winner brothers, no mutter what lie siiys now, and it was upon the s trength of his promise to Wagner and Prince (hat the Players' League lay quiet in order to give him a chance to pose as a bust; ball Messiah, ami settle the war to everybody's satisfaction. Things are not going as smoothly as Spulding h:id hoped. There is a probability of a slip. Hence tbe letter, which plainly shows flow the great pacificator is beginning to hedge, in order to he in with the winning side, no matter which it may happen to be.

NOT WORRIED AT ALL.Putting this find that together, it seems

likely that the Wagners may be given more trouble to secure the Athletic Association franchise than they or anybody else antici­ pated. In 'fuct, it looks as if they were to be Squeezed" in some direction as a condition

of receiving the franchise. If this bf. the in­ tention of the powers that be temporarily, it will certainly miscarry, as the condition of affairs is such that tbe Philadelphia Players' Club is not obliged to submit to any squeeze. '. he Wagners have expressed their willingness to stand their share of the ex­ pense of relieving Rochester, Toledo and Syracuse, always provided Boston isalsotaken care of. This is about as far as they will go, or could be asked to no, considering that their connection with the Association will benefit that organization quite as much us themselves. They are not crawling on their knees for the franchise, and need not, consid­ ering that the Players' League is by no nifnns dead and cannot be dissolved until the Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Boston and Cleve­ land clubs arc settled with.

WAGNER ON THE I'l.AYER QUESTION.Just how little scared the Wagners are is

evident from an interview by the Ledger reporter the other day with President J. liarle Wagner on the player question. Be­ ing sked whether the Philadelphia and Bos- ion t'layers' clubs would be permitted to keep their teams intact Mr. Wagner said:

"Will O4tr team remain intact? Yea, sir, it will I won't givo up a single player. That teaui muet feUnd as at present made np, no mutter in «ha' league or association we play. If an Association franchise is offered uue with the condition that I part with certain players I wilt not accept it. What good would a fran­ chise in any league bo to me if I didn't have a team Ihat cou!d play ball and attract the poo- pie? I hare a three-year contract with all my players, and you can bet none will be Ukou away from mo by force or leave me voluntarily. I am in favor of every club retaining the play- en it had at tho close of the season, aad the weaker ono3 given the choice of tho?e thrown on tho market by those oluba which will disband nil consolidiite."

That certainly sounds like the language of B man secure in his position or in possession >f something definite. However, whether he is assured of the Athletic franchise or not, the general public is still in suspense. This dispense will, however,be soon relieve'! now, as next week the Association will meet iu .New York to take defijiineaction. Meantime, we dare suy, the earth will go round aa usual.

THE ATHLKTIO TITI.R NOT SOLD. Contrary toSberiti'Krunibhaar's announce­

ment that the Athletic Club's franchise would be sold at public sale last Saturday afternoon, the crowd of players, would-be owners and others who gathered at the pub­ lished plnce of sfile did not have their desire or curiosity gratified. Qeputy Sheriff Patti- son said the sale had been postponed, not be­ en use it had become generally known, assome (supposed, but because it was found that there was a rule pending in Court No. 2 which prevented the sheriff from disposing of the property in question.

The rule had been issued some time ago to restrain the execution of several judgments which had been issued against the Athletic Club, and as the matter had not been argued the Sheriff could not proceed with the sale. Among, those present were a number of the unpaid * players of the defunct team, who hoped that 4h« proceeding would in some manner expedite their longed-for cash into their aching pockets. Neither of the Wag- utr brothers nor Mr. Snellenburg were to be ceil at the Sheriffs.

A TURN IN IIAIiRY WEIGHT'S TIDE.Fortune has been less unkind to the "grand

old man" of base ball the veteran Harry Wright. His wife, who has been bed-ridden for many months, is slowly, but surely, re­ covering from her long illness, and is now r.ble to once mure sit up. Hho in still con- lined to her room, however. Hurry's sight is «lso gradually improving. Tbe operation on the left eye was successful, and therefore the right eye will next undergo surgical treat­ ment. The operation will take place next week, and if that shall prove as *1icce8iiful as the recent one on the left eye there is every reason to hope that the veteran manager's sight will be quite restored by the time" the Phillies are ready to once more tois the ball around.

This good news will doubtless he hailed with great pleasure by Harry's legion of friends mining the public of Philadelphia and elsewhere and especially by the profession, with whom Harry Wright stands higher thau

any other man actively or passively engaged in the base ball business. In fact, no man­ ager or magnate enjoys the favor of the com­ munity or the respect and confidence of the players to as high a degree as honest, up­ right, genial and kind-hearted old Harry Wright. Mr. Wright is now able to navigate about the city entirely alone. He had con­ templated attending the meetings in New York next week, but the operation on his right eye will prevent. This is quite a dis­ appointment to Harry, but will have to be Iwrne, as it is of more importance to him to have the restoration of complete sight ex­ pedited.

A POINT WORTH NOTING.Mr. Snellcnburg's recently published plea

that the Athletic stockholders were power­ less last season to prevent the club from going into bankruptcy, and that they could not be expected to put up money for it so long as Whitaker retained control, amounts to nothing. Whitaker offered to dispose of his interest and relinquish control if the stockholders would take hold aud save the club from ruin. Nobody, however, came to the front; in fact, few of the stockholders turned up at the various meetings called by the directory. The reason, probably, was that the outlook for the Association was de­ cidedly gloomy, while the Players' League seemed flourishing. Under the circum­ stances, American Association franchises were somewhat below par and nobody felt in the humor for sinking any more money in what appeared to be a hopeless cause.

THINGSWERE DIFFERENT THEN.To show the value placed by outsiders upon

the Athletic franchise a few years ago, a talk between President Keach, of the J^hiladel- phia Club, and Treasurer Whitaker is quoted uy the Press, as follows:

"It was in the fall of "83, and the two men, in company with Manager Sharsig, were in a train, bound West. Wbitaker was in the dumps and spoke disoouragingly of the outlook for the game.

" 'You don't appreciate the value of the property you hold,' said Reach, 'or rather you. don't got out all there is in it.'

"'I don't know about that,' responded the Athlotici* cute financier. 'The public is not manifesting the same interest it formerly did in tho game, and I'm doubtful if big money will ever be made again. 1

" 'I tell what I'll do,' said Reach, in his blunt way. Til give vou $15,000 cash now for the profits of the Athletic Club in 1889.'

"This staggered Whitaker momentarily, but he came up in good style with this:

" 'Well ah will my salary as treasurer oon- tinuo?'

"Hardly,' said our Unole Roach. 'While I could not personally undertake tho management of the club, I would certainly want men of my own choosmg to run it in accordance with my ideas.'

"Then the subject was dropped. Everybody who knows Reach knows tbat be rarely gets the short end of anything, and when he made the offer of $15,000 he doubtless calculated to make at least $10,000 on the sido."

Things wcredifferent at the time Reach made the above oiler. Then the Athletic Club had not become an object ot public contempt, and the Association was a far more powerful, and therefore more attractive, organization than it is now, or than it perhaps ever will again become. The value of franchises cannot now ba appraised upon the basis of 1883.

THE DISPUTE OVER TIIORNTON.The news published in our hist issue of the

fact that the Philadelphia League Club had signed pitcher Thornton, of Milwaukee, de­ spite his previous engagement by the Phila­ delphia Players'Club, is confirmed. Presi­ dent lleach admits that he has signed the man, who, by the way, is quite a promising pitcher. In extenuation of his act Mr. Reach claims that the Philadelphia Player's Club had no right to sign Thornton, inasmuch as the latter last summer signed a personal con­ tract with a Milwaukee Club official for 1891. Thornton, therefore, was bound to Milwaukee, and Mr. Keach claims that IK-had a perfect right to purchase Tiiornton's release and sign him for his club, despite any contract he may have entered into with anybody else subse­ quent to his personal Milwaukee contract.

The fact that Thornton had signed a per­ sonal contract with Milwaukee was called to President Wagner's attention last fall when he signed Thornton through an agent. In­ quiry was made of Thornton about this mat­ ter, but the latter denied having signed any personal contract, and claimed to be free from anything but the reserve rule. He was, therefore, signed by Wagner's agent. President Beach says regarding Thornton's denial that it was either never made or a falsehood, as he (Reach) saw Thornton's per­ sonal contract with his own eyes. Of course, that settles that matter, but the Wagners, nevertheless, feel very much annoyed over the Philadelphia Club's actiou when the fact that Thorntou's had been signed by them was well known. Under the circumstances, they say they consider the spirit shown by Mr. Reach had been anything but friendly. It is, judging from the feeling displayed, quite likely that a suit at law may grow out ot the case. Meantime the bone of contention, Thornton, is serenely wintering at his home in Washington.

LOCAL JOTTINGS.The old Athletic Club is still being made

the subject of legal attack. Mrs. Krouse, who was hit by a base ball outside the Athletic Club grounds at Twenty-sixth and Jefferson streets in IfiSS, is suing the Athletic Base linll Club for damages. Mrs. Krouse shows doc­ tors' bills amounting to between $"00 and $700, as the direct result of the blow from the ball. Bobby Matthews, the veteran pitcher, also proposes to press bis old suit for viola­ tion ot contract and back salary.

The Phillies' grounds, at 15road and Hunt­ ingdon streets, will be greatly improved be­ fore the season opens. The pavilion and stands will be renovated and given a fresh cout of paint, and the field will be regradud and resurfaced.

Hurry Wright denies the report thnt he would like to secure Jimmy Fogarty for next season. Harry says that l°»garty causes trouble among the players, and any other club in the country that wants the wily Jarnes can have him; he wants no part of him.

The talk about Joe Mulvey has died out. Joe will be "firing 'em" across the diamond at Forepaugh Park next season as fast aa ever.

Receiver Taylor, of the Athletic Club, ex­ pects to have his report ready to flic in court about Feb. 1. Thwn there will be music, and one of the principal officers of the old club will doubtless be run to earth. Sonic rich disclosures are coming.

"Kegurding the pay of the old Athletic players, a prominent lawyer said yesterday that he was confident that all the unpaid salary could be recovered from ths American Association as an organization. In any event, the purchasers of the Association franchise in this city will be liable, the same gentleman delared, for the amounts due the players." Item. The aforesaid prominent attorney must hare been talking through his bat. The Association is not liable for the debts of any individual club.

Hobby Matthews aud Lon Knight are win­ tering in this city.

The Pms the other day remarked: "And if the Association insists UDOU it tho Wagners would, in order to secure the franchise,gladly pay the players." Our esteemed contempo­ rary must have been in joking humor when it gave utterance to the quoted paragraph. Wliat, pav $6000 for back salaries and from J3(XK) (o $5000 more for the retirement of To­ ledo, Rochester anil Syracuse about $10,000 in all for the privilege of playing in a busted organization like the American Association? It would be cheaper to stay in the Players' League, which would require little or no money to reorganize!

Just Beginning to Tumble. From Hie B»ton H<er«!<I.

Newspaper scoring promises to be » difficult matter next season un'e?s ?ome uniform method is agreed upon, because of the rule permitting substitute players to enter on any part of tho enme. Cases may or may nut be frequent where thia will bo done, but where it is taken advantage of, especially where two or three players are sent in, find in the cages of pitcher?, for in.-tancc, and p-iy in one, two or three in­ nings, the difficulty cornea in in giricg a proper record.

BROOKLYN BUDGET.Linton'g Injunction the Talk of the Hour—

Not Regarded With Any Degree of Awe and Hardly Calculated to Cut Short the Peace Negotiations — Some of the Talk or It.BROOKLYN, Jan. 7. Editor SPORTINO

LIFE: Although ninety miles from the fight­ ing ground, you scored a beat last week on your humble undersigned, but now that the cards have all been dealt I think we both stand pat. You declared editorially that there was no settlement in this vicinity, and I wrote otherwise. Technically you were correct every way, while I echoed the senti­ ments of the majority, who had agreed to settle, but had not arranged the final details. In brief it was a ease of it is and it isn't. You still hold your ground, while I am simply waiting for another little twist to coiae out as winner.

THAT MOVE O' LISTON'S. Regard it anyway and Linton's move must

be considered only as a wee fizz of his own. I The entire Players' League racket in this city brings to mind forcibly one of those big, sputtering pin-wheels you see at a pyrotech­ nic exhibition. The spurts th^xt Goodwill has been enjoying for several weeks were the preliminary roekois on tho outer wheel, and and the fizz, bang and sputter of different color, noted as the exhibition went on, was only the exploding of the individual bombs that added a spice of variety and brilliancy, and brought out the all's! of the multitude. The wheel was going its fastest and rapidly consuming itself when the final inner circle was reached, and the Liuton red light touched off. It is still burning, and the entire wheel is in a bhze of brilliancy, every figure in it standing out in its own peculiar light, but soon the pyrotechnic glow will begin to dim and gradually all the lights will fade the wheel will make fewer revolutions, until it at last stops and stands a charred and blackened object with neither form or exist­ ence done for aud gone.

JUST ABOUT THE SIZE.That's about the size of the situation hero.

According to Linton's admissions the injunc­ tion he served on his confreres of the Play­ ers' club restraining them from completing the bargain that would make the two clubs one is almost wholly a bluff. To be candid, Linton appears to have only a vague idea of the actual cause that prompted his act. He wanted to gain time, he tells one, and to an­ other he simply desired to prevent his fellow stockholders "buying the eartbj'' Nobody can blame a man for looking out for No. 1 aud driving the best bargain possible, but the dog in the manger act seldom brings about any such results as sought.

A MASTER STROKE.Anybody with half a claim to common

sense who is ported on the affairs of this city, nnjst admit that the men behind the Players' Club, in getting the one Brooklyn organiza­ tion up at Kastern Park, were counting on a master stroke, for the interestsof every one of them would be largely enhanced thereby. Base ball is the only thing that real estate men desire up there, for it will send property values booming anil the railroad peoplecould hardly ask anything better unless it might be a race course, which is not to be dreamed of. And yet here is Lintou running head' on into the courts. Now, what is he doiug it for? To antagonize the allied interests of East New York, to simply gratify a desire to get square, or is it to work a little scheme of bis own?

TELL THE REASOX.The first he would hardly confess to, al­

though he is now on record to that effect; the second he might do in his impulsive way, while, as to the third, there are people who give him credit for looking very much on the No. 1 end. They argue that the Players' club is not in the best condition financially and have a number of law suits threatening them, aud that if Linton could slide grace­ fully out of the organization with a clean score, so far ns debts and liabilities arc con­ cerned, and with a purse of greater or less dimensions, he might be quite ready to slide. The trouble with Linton is that he has been the grumbler among the East New Yorkers for some time, and a!n> that !:e is givn to talking. AQ indiscriminate gabbler is liable to say lots at different times that come back on him all at once aud naturally with com­ bined force.

Lintou evidently remembers that he talked with certain members of the Brooklyn Na­ tional League Club in a manner that was at least, compromising and hardly creditable, no matter whether in jest, half earnest or with a view to gaining a point on his part­ ners, lie must certainly know that if he offered to dispose of his stock to the National League Club, at a very critical stage of the game several weeks ago, that his partners, on hearing of such u thing, must look upon him with eyes askance. He may argue that they were trying to give hiui the dinky-dink, but two wrongs do not make a right, aud, if in hitting himself, be is billiard he should not squeal.

THE INJUNCTION.TIowever( I started out to tell that Linton's

injunction is regarded as a very small atf'iir here and will not serve to put back matters in any way. Chauucoy is alwut the only man in the organization that he can expect anything of and that astute individual is not going to fall overboard wlnn he thinks the.re is any chance of getting wet. If the injunc­ tion is continued, there is uo'.hing to stop the National League club officials going ahead, and if they care to take the stockholders of the Players' club who favor the terms agreed on by fjyrne and Goodwill in, to that extent permissiible to the people tied up in a law suit, why nobody can stop them and every­ thing will be lovely and wo will he sure of another season at Washington Park. At this writing Goodwill nor the others are prepared to talk and it is a useless task to figure on the probable action of a court. All whom I have seen flirted an air of serenity, whether real or assumed I am not prepared, to say, but they were easy ot speech and confident in manner and the mention of Linton simply provoked n smile. None were in a mood to go dei;p into the situation, but all were unanimous in declaring thirt the plans for one club would go right on and that the "erring one" would cause no loss of sleep.

NOT A rOPULAU STEP.One feature of this injunction matter is

that Linton has few sympathizers that is, judging by what is heard" in the public re­ sorts. The people hers were just settling down to a return to old times, and do not seem to relish the latest break.

I.IXTON AXD HIS LOSSES.Linton claims that his losses would be much

more than $1000, but if the figures given out arc correct the figure could hardly be much in excess of the amount named by him. IIU proposition to person ally assume all debts of the present Players' League Club, ask no money from the stockholders, pay all future debts and guarantee the maintaiuance of a club in a tHFit-cla«s league and finally, when everything was all settled and the club on a paying basis, to turn it all over to the men who waited for him to do all this, is consid­ ered pure jabber. In the first place, so far as I can learn, tho men who are now in business with him would not stoop to accept such a proposition; in the second place, they know it would be next to impossible for him to ac­ complish Ihat which he proposed, and, in the third place, they have a lingering suspicion that in some way or other they could be hold responsible for the debts contracted by a partner. Again, Linton knows as well as they that, had he wished, he could have bought out practically every stockholder in the club at a low rate just about a mouth ago. When be got up on his hind legs at a meeting the offer was made him aud he declined to accept it. He could have sold out his inter- eat ou ihat occasion had he so desired. With this in vieWj what Linton is pleased to term bis proposition rather dwindles down to silly mouthing.

jons WARD'S ATTITUDE.The attitude of John Ward iu this little

"scrap" is a matter ihr.t is giving some people concern. That diplomat of the diamond wisely holds his peace. lie is between two fires, and a word one way or the other mi^lit gft him into the greatest mess imaginable. That his head is level is a fact acknowledged. That be has been consulted recently relative to the "goings on" between the two clubs is known, that he and Linton have been chim­ ing during the Reason, and possibly since, N u

matter of common talk. Then just how does he stand is the question asked. I was told to-day that several day» ago Ward and Lin­ ton indulged in a thrw-hour chat in a noted sporting resort here, and this together with the published statement that the two left the verystormy Players' meeting ou Monday to­ gether, is made the basis of the supposition that Word leans to Linton, and it is further endorsed by tbe fact that Liuton is still shout­ ing for the continuance of the Players' League.

HIS LEVEL HEAD.Those who know the great hall player,

though, do not fear that he will do anything to widen this latest breach; in other words, that he will keep his hands off. 1 had a long talk with John Ward last Friday, and on that occasion he appeared to be looking ahead to a speedy settlement. "When I saw there \fas no chance for a compromise between the two leagues," he said, "I went to my people and advised them-to consolidate, and that, too, as quickly as possible. A table cannot stand without legs, neither can anything else, and, the legs being knocked from under the Play­ ers' League, it had to go down. Immediate settlement was the thing, and so I advised it. I am sorry that all this dissension, delay and disappointment came about, for I had a good tiling booked for the winter in Cuba and thereabouts, and would have made money, besides enjoying myself."

Discussing his intentions for next season, he said he was decided on only one point, aud that was that he fully intended to play ball.

"Somebody started the report," he con­ tinued, "that I had said I intended to leave the diamond. That story is false iu every particular. I never said anything of the kind, and I do not know why it was started. One thing I would like to have understood though, and that is that I will not play m New York. I have done with that organiza­ tion forever. I have made no definite ar­ rangements for next summer and cannot say yet where I will play. It is trus Pittsburg did want me, and I should have liked to play in the same club with Ned llanlou, but I do not care to go to the Smoky City, that is, at the present time. I have not committed my­ self to anybody or any club, simply because I am not yet prepared to do so. It is not a case of swelled head with me, as some people would like to make out, as I am not suffering from that malady."

During the conversation Ward never gave any other intimation than tbat he considered everything pat among the Brooklyn Players' magnates. On the contrary, he seemed to consider all settled and shook hands with tho announcement that he was going South for a little health jaunt within two weeks, and ex­ pected to h:ive good sport, passing most of his time on the water.

AN AKFAHLK MAN.John B. Day seems to take Ward's procla­

mation, that he would not play for him again, in a philosophical spirit. When told that Goodwill et at. were anxious to have him re­ main and manage and captain the recon­ structed Brooklyn team, and that the Na­ tional League people were agreeable to the matter, Mr. Day answered that be would just as soon have Ward play in Brooklyn as any­ where else if he did not play in New York. What an attable person that Polo Ground gentleman is. There are several other people, too, who would just as soon see Ward play in Brooklyn as anywhere else.

The terms on which the two clubs are to merge, as given out by Linton have not been disputed as yet. They are that the capital stock be $250,000, the National League to take $126,000 and the Players' $124,000, the Players' to pay $30,000 in cash for their stock aud $10,000 out of the first season's profits, the games to be played at Eastern Park, tbe Nationals to have three and the Players' two of a board of five directors, Mr. liyrne to be president with full power, and the directors to be Messrs. Byrne, Doyle, Abell, Goodwin and Wallace. I did not come so far from the mark in THE SPORTING LIKR last week, even with all the secrecy that is maintained.

The United League, if it ever docs assume shape, might just as well take Brooklyn from its cardj for a second club in an inferior or­ ganization will starve. Little stock is taken ir t^e story of the new league as given out.

If Liuton has accomplished nothing else, he has created a stir, and we should all thank him for that in this very dull season. We will get it from every direction next week though, and I am afraid Linton will be lost in the bustle.

Here's for peace aad a speedy settlement. J. F. DONNOULY.

ST. LOUIS 8IFTING8.Revival of Base Kali Intorest In the Mound

City Horse Kucing vtt. ltit.t« Kiall A Cliat With Comiskcy— Now* of the Proposed Interstate League, Ktc.ST. Louis, Jan. 8. Editor SPORTING

LlFK: No matter what people one is thrown among nowadays in St. Louis, more or less discussion ou the national game can be heard, and it now looks as if the next season would be a banner one. Resides, the attractions that will be ottered in the way of new, as well as old faces, the clubsof both the League and Association will be more evenly bal­ anced than at any time in the history of the great American pastime. People who ab­ sented themselves from games last season ou account of the wicked war that raged will become interested again and attend the con­ tests with their old-time regularity. It will take a largely increased mid constant atten­ dance to replenish the exchequers of the country, but the least enthusiastic admirers of the national game feel certain that the magnates will be able to at least "even up" their last year's losses during the coming season.

THE INDOOR BASE BALL CEAZB that has been talked of for some time in New York, Chicago and othe prominent cities, is receiving considerable attention from the "fans" of St. Louis, and the novelty will un­ doubtedly be a "go" in the Mound City. The armory will be used for the games, it is said, and such well known professionals as Put Tebeau, "Silver King," Jim Davis. Jack Brennaii, Billy Joyce, ''Ducky" Hemp, ,"T\ib" Welch, "Yank" Robinson, Jimmy A^iis, and others, will participate. Kesides tlie above plovers there will be several so­ ciety young men sandwiched in the two nines. George Munsou, the Browns' secre­ tary, is the originator of the scheme iu St. Loiiis, and his large circle of friends will di'.ip a quarter or half dollar in the slot to IK Ip the big-hearted secretary and the ball players to make a success of their new uii- cf. rtaking. Capt. Couiiskey, of the Browns, will not play, but he will probably do the uuipiriug.

HONESTY THE ONLY POLICY. In days gone by the gamblers of the coun­

try paid more attention to base ball than any other outdoor sport, but since the time that Hall and others of the old Louisville Club were caught in a little crooked work, the men of chance have given the game but very little show us an attraction in the pool rooms. Base ball is now, and has been for years, run on the square, and prooked work on the part of a player would end his career ou the diamond. The bail player of to-day cannot be worked by the pool-room folks, but horse racing answers the purpose. The joekoys are bought up, the owners are allowed to stand iu on a big stake, or the judges wrong­ fully award the race to a "short" horse or give it to him on a technicality. It is true norse racing has a large following at the present day, and the "reulieus" continue to put up their good hard stuff only to see it no more, yet it is a well-known fact that more thau one-half of the races run are all fixed before the horses leave the paddock. Should aclould of any kind hover over base ball as it now does over the turf, the grandest out- dooi sport in the world would sink never to rise again. The owners of tho various teams lose iio sleep on account of any suspected crookedness on the part of their p!ny-eFS, as such a thing never enters a magnate's head. And why it is that the turf baa such a large following when the followeis know tbat not one race out of ten is run on its merits, is something that but very few people can

THR i;KO',VNS' CAPTAIN IN TOWN. Captain Coniiskey, of the "Five Time

Winners," arrived in town o few days ago aad is now on a hunt for a house. He will

remove his family here just as soon as he secures a location. Your correspondent called upon the big captain this morning and asked him what he thought of the outlook for next season. "I expect that 1891 will be a great season, because dark clouds are generally silver lined. The season just closed was a losing one for all concerned in the national game, but now that the war is over andf peace once more reigns supreme, the public will fall in line aud attend the games aa in days of yore."

Will the Browns have as good team as in 1888-89?"

"Better. We will be right in the swim from start to finish. Mr. Von dor Abe is one of the hardest losers in the business, and I don't appreciate a defeat. A losing team wo^ld not draw flies in St. Louis, and the Bro-frns' President is awareof this fact, there­ fore yon can rest assured that we will have the best team that ever represented St. Louis on the diamond."

"Who will play second and third for the Browns next season?"

"I cannot say just at present, but good, strong men will be signed for those posi­ tions."

"Will King, Boyle, Robinson, O'Ncill and Milligan play with your team again?"

''We cannot tell just who will be with us however, some of the 18o>y men will be. found with St. Louis the coming season, but I do not believe that all of them will be here. There will be changes in every team in the country, and some very important ones, too, and the surprises will no doubt come thick and fast."

"Have yon noticed that several of the clubs in the Association claim the pennant at this early day?"

"Yes; but St. Louis elafms nothing of the kind, as base ball is an uncertainty from start to finish. We will win the pennant if we can, but there will be seveu other clubs in the Association that will have something to say in this matter."BROTUEKHOOD PARK NOW TUB ST. LOUIS

DRIVING PARK.So far as the name is concerned, the

Brotherhood Park is no\7 a thing of the past, as the grounds are now being changed into a driving park and monster athletic grounds, and in future jt will be known as the St. Louis Driving Park. The improvements now being made will include a straightaway cinder path of 440 yards, a half-mile track for trotting and running, an inner three.- eighth mile track for bicycling, two base ball diamonds, fouf athletic club houses, which will be occupied by the Hiberuias, Blue Bells, Shamrocks aud Olympics.

TUB INTERSTATE LEAGUE MKKTINQ will bo held at the Hotel Boston, Burlington, Iowa, on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 10 A. M. Sec­ retary Spink, of the Interstate League, sent notices of the meeting to the cities of Dan­ ville, 111.; Davenport, Iowa.; Bloomington, III.; Terre Haute, Ind.; Evansville, Ind.; Peoria, 111.; Quincy, 111.; Springfield, 111.; Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Dubuque, Iowa; Joliet, 111.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Rockford, 111.; Burlington, Iowa, and Des Moines, Iowa. The following cities have replied to the sec­ retary's circular aud promised to send repre­ sentatives to the meeting: Danville, Terre Haute, Evansville, Peoria, Quiucy, Joliet, Cedar Rapids, Burlington and Des Moines. A letter received from Secretary Alien, of the Terre Haute Club, says that the Prairie City people arc getting a move on themselves and tbat they are sure to be represented in the Interstate League next season.

"Burlington will again come to the front," writes Frank Chaniberliu, "and tho Inter­ state has more good towns to draw from than ever before. The cities that I have heard from promise to be here at the meeting, and I believe we will get eight desirable towns without a particle of trouble." Springfield (111.), will not be represented in the Leaguenext season, as the ball park in that thriving

,i' bv turing establishment, and another drawbackcity has been bought by a large manuf'ae-

is that Henderson Ridgely will not go into base ball again. "Buck," as Mr. Ridgely is familiarly called bv his friends, squandered a tew tltousund dollars a few years ago in this suino League, aud at a time when he had the strongest club in the League, winning the championship by a close margin. That the Interstate League will be a go there is now but very little doubt, or, iu fact, uo doubt.

INTERSTATE LEAGUE WHISPERS. Frank Chamberlin will no doubt be forced

to accept the presidency and Al Spink the secretaryship.........Louis Ost, of Quincy, oneof the mainstays of the League and liberal to a fault, will again he one of Quincy's back­ ers.........Charley Flynn, Chief of Police ofPeoria, will be missed from the meeting, as the handsome Chief will remain out of base ball permanently.........John Corbett will nodoubt be interested in the Peoria Club. John is an active, wide-awake gentleman.........George and Walter Vieleand Ben Seestngut, Kvansville's''big trio." will show up at the meeting in the interest of that thri ving South­ ern Indiana city......... Ft. Wayne, Ind., is agood town, and she may be a member of the Interstate next season.........Geo. Alien, thehandsome secretary of the Terre Haute Club, will represent the Prairie City at Burling­ ton.........The Interstate League has turnedout a great many first-class ball players. Rhinesand Harriugton, Cincinnati's crack battery, were secured from the Davenport Club. Jack Munyan and Joe Neal, of the Browns, played under Buck Ridgely at Springfield, III., aud a large number of other good men who are now in the major organiza­ tions. JOB PKITCHARD.

LEADI.EY'S VIEWS.

The Cleveland Manager Discourse* of Big Tenm'9 Prospects For 18'Jl.

Manager Leadley, of the Cleveland League team, \va« in the Forest City during the week to make some arrangements for players in ISlll. There is one position on the iniield to be tilled, two outfielders to be engaged, and another pitcher and catcher to be secured. In reference to the discussion regarding the possible playing of Tebeau at second base, Mr. Leadley said: "I have talked over the matter with the Cleveland directors, but we have come to no decision. There is a possi­ bility that Tebeau will play. It is only a posssbility, however, and will be contin­ gent upon the outcome of other matters. Personally I prefer another man, who will be signed if we can secure him. He is neither a League nor exactly an Association man. I made an effort to get him last fall and I have not given up all hope that we Jan secure him."

"How about the outfield?""There is but little to be said about that,

for the simple reason that much of our work depends upon the outcome of the negotiations at the base ball meeting iu New York next week. As regards a new pitcher and a new catcher I can only make the same reply."

"Will any of the pitchers of the Cleveland Club of 1889 be ou the team of 1891?"

"I think not. There may be other clubs that will want them and it is morethan likely that some agreement can be entered into for an exchange. There are one or two very strong young pitchers whom I have had an eye upon for some time and it is possible that we may try one of them."

"Do you think that Fred Carrol! would make a good catcher for Cleveland if he could be secured?"

''I see no reason why he should not if he will behave himself. If any arrangement should be made by which he came to Cleve­ land he would have to play good ball or hear something drop."

"Will the Cleveland Club take any prelim­ inary trip this season."

"Not a very extended one. I have an idea now that we will go to Jacksonville, Fla., about three weeks before tho season opens, puttiug in the time playing with such clubs as might come that way until the first SOl.rU- uled game. The weather is very good iu the South st that season of the year, and the trip, in lay opinion, will be better all around than a long jaunt to Hot Springs. We shall try to get as strong a team as possible here this year as it looks now as though the champion­ ship race would be one of the hottest and most vigorously contested in a long time. The question ol players must rest, however, until after next week and then nil the clubs in the League and Association will be busily engaged iu securiug 'pennant winners' for. 1891."

FROM THE HUB.General Dixwell Sells Uis Stock and Prince

Buys—Spalding as to Prince's Motives and Policy—Still Hoping For Ward—General Comment.BOSTON, Jan. 8. Editor SPORTING LIFE:

What next?The last thing in the base ball world that

you would expect has happened.General Dixweli is no longer a stockholder

in the Players' League Club, of Boston.Yon know he told me a month or more ago

that he had lost fifty per cent, of his interest in the game, and now he has lost his entiro interest in his old love the Players' League.

That is his entire money interest.The General has sold his stock.President Prince has bought it.What does it all mean?You can take it in several ways just a*

you happen to look at it.General DixwelPs withdrawal from the

circle seta up a new condition of affairs in the Boston Club of the Players' League. You see the General, although he owned more stock that anybody else, didn't figure as a capitalist shareholder, but he was a player when it came down to the question of voting, and with the Gencrel siding with the Players iu questions of policy and management, it made the club here an actual players' club, for it gave them the control.

It's different now.The balance of control has gone out of th«

hands of the players who ore stockholders and into the hands of the monied men. For the block of stock bought from the General by the president of the club has mads ju.il that difference.******What are they driving at?You ask President Prince and he will tell

you: "Oh, if anybody wants to sell out I am ready to buy up the whole thing. We will have a club iu the field next year, we will make money, and who wouldn't buy a stock that is a paying investment?" '

That is in keeping with President Prince'* course throughout this whole campaign. Never once has ho allowed even an intima­ tion that there might not be a club in Boston in place of the Players' League team. Says the shrewd lawyer: "Al Spalding has prom­ ised me certain things as representing tha League; he has promised it to me in writing; he is an honorable man; will see that hii agreements are carried out. So I am not losing any sleep."

Buying stock in the antibipatl.-J of an At- sooiation team.

That is one version of the new deal.Then here's another one:Some of those who think they know a great

deal, even if they don't, and are always oa the inside in their owa minds talk thia way: President Prince is very clever. H» has certain promises in regard to an Associa­ tion club. But he is not banking on that entirely. You will see him running a club- in a Players' League with probably six club* in the circuit. That's what the confereuo* means whic^ he has called.

Very visionary I should call this estimate of the case.

There's another way to look at this willing* ness of President Prince to buy up stoe,1;. Tho Chicago Players'Club has been bought up in a lump; so has the Brooklyn end, un­ less the kicking stockholder, who has just gotten out an injunction, tips over the kettle.

Why couldn't our Players'club be absorbed in the same way?

The League club hero would be willing to settle the trouble in that way. I know that straight from President Soden, because ha said to me only the other day: "Yes, wa might buy those folks out, but they won't sell."

Perhaps they won't now, but time changes all things:

They might sell by and by for a considers- tion a good, big one.

To buy stock at a low figure, when the en­ thusiasm is as cold as the weather, and sell later on at a high figure, when the triumvirs are bound to have it, would be a good invest* meut for Mr. Prince or anybody else.

One hundred and fifty-one shares is a con­ trolling interest in the Players' League Club. President Prince could deli ver about seventy- five in one block HOW. Some of the boys who are satisfied that the jig is up and want to get in out of the cold are willing to unload, ami a good, big bagful of shares could bo picked up here and there.

This is only one of the possibilities. * * * » My Intimation last week that John Ward

might be found in Boston next season stirred up the crunks and the delegation of player* who spend the winter in this city.

The cranksall say, "Give us Ward."The people in town who follow the busi­

ness as a profession all insist that Ward will never be here. Put him right down in Cin­ cinnati is their unanimous verdict. Captain and manager of the Porkopolig team is where they all think he will land.

Everybody langhsat theidea of John Ward playing in New York again.

Why?Because Ward and Ewing will never play

on the same nine together again. Kach one of them must be boss wherever he is. Ward couldn't stand it under Kwing, and Ewing couldn't stand it under Ward. So we will never have them both in New York again.

And as for Ward phiying third base, 1 am told by a ball player who knows that Lawyer John could never fill the bill there, because he could not get the ball across the diamond stendily.

Ilyrne, I see, has got his eye on Ward, but the little short stop knows well enough that he would he hampered and restrained in Brooklyn, while in some other city he could run his team to suit himself.

1 was told the other day that Ewing had Inn eye on Cincinnati last year, and had the Players' League come out on top Buck would have been in the Western city the coming season. Perhaps he would still like to go there, but I don't believe John B. Day will consent. **««**And, by the way, what is the New Yorli

Club going to do with its car full of pitchers? There isKeefo. Crane, O'Day, Kwing, Welch, Kusie, Sbarrot, and the Lord knows how many more. I know one of them who wouldn't object to going to Cincinnati. Ed Crane thinks a man iu the Western town would have a pretty good show.

* * * * # *Kelly is evidently preparing the way for a

jump when the time eomes. Iltsnys he must have advance money or they can't expect to hold him.

That's the way he talks to the Players' Club people. MUGWUMP.

A Comforting Keaasurauce.Miss Innocentc "I am glad of ooe thin;.

The law duod n.it allow any nure of thoso bru­ tal bnro fUt fights. How do the amateur boxen tako to the idea?"

Mr. Middlewato "They are hand in-glov« with it."

What is ScrofulaIt is that ImpurUy in the blood, which, ac-curan.

lading ID the gtauda of the nock, protluoes ua- ightly lumps or swellings; which causes painful xunuing sores on tho arms, legs, or feet; which devolopca ulcers iu tho eyes, ears, or nose, often causing blindness or deafness; which is the origin of pimples, cancerous grcmths, or many oihor manifestations usually ascribed to " humors." It is a more formidable enemy than consumption or cancer alone, for acrofula combines the worst possible features of both. Being the most ancient, it is the most general of all diseases or affection*, for very fuw persons are entirely free from it

How oftu it be curcM ? By taking Hocd'd Sarsa- pariiia, which, by the cares it has accomplished, often when other medicines have failed, hat proven itself to bo a potent and peculiar inediein* for this disease. For all affections of tho blood Hood'a Surgaparilla is unequalled, and some of th» cures it has effected are really Tvoadorfnl. If yon Buffer from scrofula in any of ita various forms* be sure to givo Hood's Sarsaparilla a trial.

Hood's SarsapariilaSoIdbyaIt<lriiggiBta. gl; sixforgS. Prepared only b; 0.1.11OOD& CO., Apothecaries, Loweil.Muei.

JOO Doses One DcMar