Clipping:Ward's response to the League putting off the Brotherhood
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| Date | Wednesday, July 17, 1889 |
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| Text | [from W. I. Harris's column] I had an interesting talk with John Ward a day or two ago on the status of the Brotherhood. Mr. Ward had a great deal to say, but much of it was to the point and was said in very plain language. I asked him what he thought of the refusal of the League committee to meet the players and the reasons which Mr. Spalding gave for not doing so. Ward mused a few moments and then said with deliberation and emphasis, which showed that he had thought the matter over very carefully, and had prepared himself to meet just such a question: “The whole truth of the matter is that they were afraid to meet us and discuss the points which were to have been raised that's the size of it.” “You don't really mean, John, that you believe the League are afraid to talk over the grievances of the players?” “That is exactly what I mean. Nothing more and nothing less. They knew what the points were to be discussed and do not relish them overmuch. They know that they have broken faith with their players, and dared not face the issue. Moreover they have no intention of conceding anything they may have gained by their action, and consequently are anxious to dispose of the matter with as little discussion as is possible. “The reasons given by Mr. Spalding for not meeting the Brotherhood committee at this time are amusing and simply absurd in the eyes of every man in this country who knows anything about base ball legislation. Everybody knows that the League held a special meeting at Asbury Grove to decide the question of a forfeited game, and it was one, too, which had very little bearing on the championship question. It is true that other business was transacted at that meeting, but it was called primarily for the purpose I have stated. Certainly, if such a matter was of sufficient importance for a special meeting this Brotherhood matter is far away more imperative because it affects the rights of the players and is considered by them to be a question of pressing moment. Naturally enough it is not so important a question for the League, for at present they have all the best of it and have, as they think, nothing to lose by delay. But it seems to me, and I think it must appear so to every fair man, that as the players are the real cause of the prosperity of the club,s they have a right to be heard at the time which is mos convenient to them. If they think their business is of importance enough to merit an immediate consideration they ought to be heard and the League will stand before the public in a very bad light and be open to the charge of unfairness by their refusal to meet the players.” “Well, now that Mr. Spalding has refused, what is the Brotherhood going to do about it?” The Brotherhood's president thought a moment and then said:-- “On that question just at the present time I am neither able nor at liberty to say. There is one thing, however, of which you may be certain. The players have asked only what is right and they will not rest until they get it. The men who are playing ball nowadays are not of the calibre to be hoodwinked or talked out of their rights. |
| Source | The Sporting Life |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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