Clipping:Claim that Boston is in arrears; the Jones matter
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| Date | Saturday, September 4, 1880 |
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| Text | [dateline Cleveland 9/3] Hearing certain rumors about Charlie Jones and the Boston Club, an Enquirer correspondent started out with paper and pencil in hand and learned the following facts: The Boston management have been for some months back, and are now, owing their players about $5,000 in salaries. The players have demanded their play again and again, and have been put off from time to time. While in Cincinnati Charlie Jones demanded that the back pay due him be paid immediately, which Harry Wright said could not be done, as he had no funds to pay him with. A compromise was, however, effected between the two, Wright agreeing to pay Jones in full when the team reached Cleveland. Matters ran along smoothly until Tuesday, when Jones, not getting any money nor getting any satisfactory answer from Wright, again demanded what was then due him, or he would not play any more. At this Wright got upon his ear, and for a time the two had it right and left in the Weddle House parlors. The squabble lasted for some moments, when Wright in a moment of excitement told Jones that he (Jones) could consider himself suspended. This was no bad news for Jones, who was anxious to hear just such words from Wright's lips. This was why Jones did not play I n Thursday's game. The matter here is looked upon as very poor judgment on Wright's part, and a good thing for Jones, who has, evidently, the best of the Boston management, who engaged Jones to play for a certain number of years, and pay him at the end of each month. This, they have failed to do, and now Jones intends to seek redress in the ?Courts, providing he does not get what belongs to him. Jones left this morning for Elyria, where he is now, the guest of the Cincinnatis. Cincinnati Enquirer September 4, 1880 In spite of all the protestations of the Boston Club to the contrary, they owe Jones over $600. this sum may be cut down by subtracting traveling expenses, price of uniform and a few outstanding orders, none of which have been accepted. While in Chicago the Bostons received $1,500 as their share of the gate money. Jones then asked for his back pay, and was told that he would get it in Cleveland. At Cleveland he again demanded it, and the usual excuse was given. He could not get enough from the Club to pay a laundry bill, and had to telegraph home for money. He then plainly said he would not play until paid. Harry Wright then telegraphed home to President Loder [sic] for instructions, and received the reply: “Unless Jones complies with your requests suspend him.” And he was accordingly suspended. The Boston Club owe this money, and all the assertions to the contrary go for naught. They can not bring one iota of proof of payment. They acknowledged the indebtedness, and we propose showing in a few days by parties in Boston that the Boston Treasurer promised to pay part of it to a friend of Jones, and made an appointment for that purpose. When the friend went to the tryst the Treasurer was not here. The gentleman is a well-known Bostonian, whose word will be proof enough. Cincinnati Enquirer September 7, 1880 The Boston Club will hardly have the gall to deny that they...owed Sutton over $700, and that the Club offered to compromise with him by deducting part, Sutton accepting the rest as payment in full, which he did. Call Mr. Sutton. It will not be denied that Mr. Foley's “indifference,” for which he was laid off, was because he presumed to make a demand for his money which had some time been due. Call Mr. Foley. It is also a fact that at one time last year the Boston Club owed Jones nearly $700, and he refused to go with them to Worcester till he was paid. They could not spare him then, and paid him. It is not supposable that, getting a salary of $1,700, as he does this year, Jones would be so anxious to get rid of it without cause. The truth is he has had extreme trouble in getting his money ever since he went to Boston, and that is the cause of his extreme dissatisfaction with the Boston Club. The buncombe is all on the side of the Club, and none with him. Cincinnati Enquirer September 7, 1880 Last fall Jones, who was under a three-years' contract with the Boston Club, one year of which had expired, made a request for his release. In making this he was encouraged by the Cincinnati Enquirer, whose special pet Jones unfortunately happens to be, and by individual s who were extremely anxious to have him a member of the Cincinnati Club. According to his own statements all sorts of inducements were out to him to encourage him in his demands for a release, and finally, as a reason for his release, it was stated that he had a chance to go into business, but when questioned on that score in Boston Jones has invariably been very reticent. His request was refused, and much against his will he was obliged to come to Boston. After arriving here, however, removed from the influence of the Enquirer and other friends, who have, however, got him into his present difficulty, he appeared satisfied and has said himself that certain parties in Cincinnati were more anxious for him to obtain his release than he was, or words to that effect. In the last two months, or since the club made its first trip to Cincinnati the present season, a marked change has been noticed in Jones' playing. He has been apparently careless both in batting and fielding, and particularly so in base-running. So apparent was this that it became the theme of universal comment, and finally he was suspended. His suspension was brief, and for a time he played ball with his old-time skill and ability. But the Club, on its second Western trip, which it returned this (Wednesday) evening, struck Cincinnati as the first place, and again Jones fell under an evil cloud. More outrageous playing was indulged in, and matter finally terminated at Cleveland on the first or second day of September. Jones made a demand on Manager Wright for his pay in full to September 1 st. He knew, as does every League player, that pay-day is not observed when the Club is away on a trip, and beyond being furnished from time to time with pocket money, no funds are distributed to the players until their arrival home. Then again, Jones had given several drafts on the Treasurer of the Boston Base-Ball Club to certain creditors from his September pay. But he made no reference to these in his demand for pay. Manager Wright was aware of this state of things, but did not know how much Jones' drafts amounted to, and he refused to accede to his demand, though he told him that in about a week when the Club would be at home he would receive all money due. Thereupon Jones refused to play ball any longer. Acting under instructions from President Soden, Manager Wright suspended him. Jones then left for Cincinnati, or some other place, without consent of his Manager, and hence his expulsion by the Association. Cincinnati Enquirer September 8, 1880, quoting the Boston Herald The case, as it stands, is this, counting all sums paid to Jones, including orders given by him, the Boston Club owed him, September 1st, $378. … Mr. Jones' statement is very simple. He cites the provisions of his contract by which the Boston Club obligated itself to pay him on each of the following dates $250, namely: May 1st, June 1st, July 1st, August 1st, September 1st and October 1st.. He states that on May 1st he received from said Club $300. between June 1 st and 6th he received $150; between July 1st and 6th he received $150, and between August 3d and 7th, $170, and that is all the cash he received from the Boston Club this season. He admits that he has given the following written orders on the Boston Club, which, however, at latest accounts had not been paid, though Mr. Long, the Treasurer, admits in his letter above he has promised to pay them. These orders are as follows: To Ed Murphy, $39; I. H. Farrington, $25; Metropolitan Hotel, $38.40; total, $102. These are the only orders he has written. Thus by cash and orders accepted he has received the following sums... $872 Amount of this salary to September 1st, as per contract, $1,250. Balance due and unpaid, $378. Cincinnati Enquirer September 9, 1880 |
| Source | Cincinnati Enquirer |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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