the sporting life. -...

THE SPORTING LIFE.*, H 1«» gPOBTI.NO Ld» Pu»UUUN« 00. M 1 IILA. POST Omci 11 nooND CLASS MATTIB.

VOLUME «, NO. 17. PHILADELPHIA, PA., FEBRUARY 3, 1886. PRICE, FIVE CENTS.

BASE BALLAll the News of a Week

Compiled,Gathered by Reporters, Corres-

oondents and the TelearaphFrom All Points.

THE EASTEKX LEAGUE.

Another Meeting Held ou Friday—A Clnb to*""" ^~ be Placed in Boston. _____ _ _

The Eastern League held an adjourned meet- wg at the Stirling House, Bridgeport, Conn., Fri day, January 29, and 6nished up the business laid over at the last annual meeting. President Bal- lard was in the chair and all the clubs were rep resented by delegates as fellows : Messrs. H*ckett and Jones for Newark; Clarke and Powers for Jersey City; Jos. Sioirnons for Waterbury; Soby and Rernsen for Hartford; Parmlee and White for Bridgeport; Reiley for Meriden and Smitft for Providence.

Bridgeport and Meriden stated that they were ready to proceed with the business of engaging players, and both paid in their annual dues.

Ihe applications of membership from Troy and Albany were both rejected.; President Ballard and E. E. Smith were ap pointed a committee to confer with the proper parties in Boston relative to placing an Eastern League club there.

Messrs. Hackett, Remfen, Siinmons and White were appointed a committee to revise the playing rales and submit the same to be acted upon at the March meeting.

The contract for furnishing the ball for ISSSwas•warded to A. (!. Raiding A Co.

The meeting then adjourned. ————•————

KANSAS CITY'S HOPES.

Confident That Her Claims' for AdmissJon to the League are Strongest.

KAKSIS Cnv, Jan. 27— Editor SPORTING LIFE: _Although the three Western base ball "kings," Messrs. Spalding, Marsh and Lucas, have not as jet called a meeting for final selection of the eighth member to compose the League, still it is the general opinion of both press and public that Kansas City will be the lucky applicant, at least that is the universal hope, and it is dollars to cents that ere the lapse of another week Kansas City will receive official announcement of her long sought for admission.

1 notice your Milwaukee anJ Indianapolis cor respondents are wrangliug again publicly. It really caused me considerable amusement to note each again resuming the fight, »nd accordingly endeavoring to "down" each other's prospects (which are very slim inded). All I wi-h to say in this matter is: It is my candid opinion loth will fall over the same excavation, if the term be permissible, while Kansas "City will arise and tri umphantly be awarded the Leasne franchise. 1 will •talc K re that while they were wrsuglinj amongst themselves our ho«e backers were silently hard at work and meant bu.-iness froui the st;»rt, an.i fiom ap-

TOUT cor?tgpgHBHUJFnnnmvf. nrr f.~~7. MGIEI,—9 also Mr. James WhiideM, of rt"« Timei; both felt conn dent uf securing adnii-sion. The hv.ier, although not wishing to state at | resent pn'.licly who would be en gaged, intimated tl.al in addition to the reserved men of the League, he had hi* e>e on several good men whom the club would sign, and collectively would make a strong team.

It »ill not be out of place to mention here that should Kansas Ci'y secure admission, it would cer tainly briug vast numbers of people from all tne snr rounding cities to »imess the games, «hich would be a great inducement, besides on off days exhibition games could be played in St. Joseph, Leavenworth, Atchison and even Omaha, not consideiiiig Indepen dence and numerous other cities, which gam.a would be profitable.

The Western League, not Ted Sullivan s, has been formed, and from appearances will prove siurasful; •ome players have already been si^nefl, and go.4 ball playing in the cities which will comprise the I.-ague is looked for. L. J. K.

FBOM THK CAPITAL.

A HJt«h In the S.*ie <>t siock—The Manager and the l,r .uncls, Etc.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.—Editor SPORTIUS Lire: _I bad hopes at this time to be able to give you m complete organization of the club, but there seems to be a hitch somewhere, as the sale of stock is not progressing as rapidly as was expected. From the assertions of the men who succeeded in transferring the Na'ionals from the American As iociation to the League, we expected that this woukt be the work of only a few hours instead of days, and probably weeks. lh»y should remem ber that the disposition of the stock and an early organization is necessary, and if the present one nan svstem cannot consummate this let other men tike it in charge. Any way to suit your selves, gentlemen, but you must remember that delays are dangerous to success.

The management of the club hast been offered to Tim Murnan, but his acceptance has not been re eeived. The impression is, however, that he wil 1 reject the offer, as his newspaper interests would •offer by his alsei.ce. 1 also believe that the salary offered will not be of a sum lent inducement f. r his .aerijna consideration. I would be pleased to se« him come here, »s he would, DO doubt, make a Huccefs.

It has been given out to the public that the old grounds would be retained for next season. If tkis is true the management should improve them, as they were a discredit to the city last wa.-ou, and undoubtedly the worst grounls iu the country, as evenb dy knows. Now that we are in Utter company let us not be >'• par«im 'nous, but make such improvements as are

The. lu'ications are that the lome club »iir not ap pear on Ihe diamond much before the championship sea- ton b*«ius, while »e l.»d jamv» h- re as eailyai Mircb lost year. Borne arrangements hhonld be male to prac tic- the team either here or wita »oaio Southern League

1 »ul Hine- and Jamwi Oinerty are totting themselvet in condition st the Y. SI. U. A. gymnasium.

Billy Hart, iYnnelly's chum, was married this week to Slisfl Jenny Btepb«us. Tliln win unexpected to his friend", »ho are many. They all wt.li him and his bride a IOUK and happy life. ...

The. Diarict League is progressing nicely and I hope to hear from others soon.

1 have now thr«e applications on Hie and desire that the Colnmbias and ..Ihcrsmaj join us by sending in tbtir application.-at once.

The English Hills have organized for the coming re»- ion with the following team: hina and Erner, catch ers J. atdT. Ma<Hg»n, piicbers; K.,llins, tlist baseui..n; MeCnm second barman; Ilocl.e, ihird barman: Col- lini short »top; Culllu, Carrull »ud S.iuglaiid, fielders.

* ft. II. W.

FROM THE FALLS CIT?.

The Sunday Playing Question—Jack SmithSltgned-Scoring Kulea.

LOUISVILLE, Jan. 28.—Editor !$I>UKTING Lire:— Kentucky if noted as being a truly moral State. There is seldom a murder within its boundaries, and the greater portion *i* its inhabitants d<- mothing but wait patiently for Sunday t > come so that they can g" to church an<l fbuw'the balance of the people h«/w reilly good they are; but, un- fortunntely, thtre are some working* men nho are kept busy earning » living for their famii'm?, who . enjoy acting a game ot b.ise ball, thun enjoying a | day in the open mn-biiK'. To go on a we«k-day would caiu«e theui the lose of a da>'B wage*, aDd ! they consequently patronize the gtuueon Sunda>n. | Other men who, bet'»r«b;»8e bull was pi tyed hare j «n Hurray*, »8»-d 'u pftin.ni/e th» Iheu uumt-rwns t*«T ! »rd'U«tti»d 8(f?nd the DIHJ >r jart of th-*ir w**-k» can,in**, and l.« unfit fur woiK tor *'nie days "> come, al0o i*«e the hundav afU rnovu*

innrceat game of base ball, and go home to their families in a healthy, happy fr*me of mind, but thisordrrof TbtDgH does not nnit aoaie of Kentucky's saints. They are a > nvtremety gi^^l they would h*ve all others as they are, hence they will put a stop to thid siaful game of bast'J&ail on Sunday*. The people where the zame is pla\e<l have not ashed it, but they kuow what the peo] le want better than thu people do, eveu if they bnVt never sewn a game and kn^w nothing about it. To carry <mt the plan of putting the finishing t» uch on th<? moiality of the State, the K-nl»cKy Stnale recently passed A bill prohibiting the playing of base ball on Sunday, tt.ongh iu this bill the county of Jefferson (in which Lomaulie is located) wa* exempt Thf bill baa bteutieijt back to Ihe committee ou morals and ia *tt for* future he>Lriiig. The press of Louisville ai d the peo ple are ou'spokeu in far,,r n( base b»U ou Sundays, and why a few old moss-beck hayseeds fr< m the mouutai'.a seek to m^dtlle wi»h wbal does n<>t C"Ocern them, is » oonnnndruni which is hard to *>lve by people who are iu the htthtt nf attending V> their own aitairs.

THE FIRST BASBMAN SECURED AT LAST. Manttêr lUitUsbuuiiau.Ieo thai Big Jack Smith is

the best first b-seuun who can now be (secured and has closed with bun. Ho will come hfroabout Mau> 1 aud aca nipany the team on the Southern trip. Thu Califor&ut players all pronounce him a great uose bail man aiida slu^gtr fn»m away l^ck.

SCORIXO RULES.The Philadelphia /V?*i Las an article on scoring in

last Sunday's is ue which hadjnauy good pjiata The main argument of the article Is to add a new cuiunin t the vc >re in which an account of saeiitieu bits and fails*Mch asrist iu making a run may te ,s:ored. This, tt ink, is an excellent tlait; tLey #o fuitber and sng^ tbat a.half hit be given for each bit as described at>ove. This, 1 think, wonld be wrong, as the tc< re should be an exa^t account of the play, and two sacrifice bus do not Diake one base Litatiy nitre than do four base hits by a player alwajs make a run. Ihe players1 average eoald te made tbe same as now, when total basai ar* considered on his averages for safe hit*, or average for total tasee 01 average tor sate hits ai>d sacrifice hits. The latter would be the true criterion to jndjte » bats man by. HOME RUN.

TORONTO NEWS.

A Visit From Spalding—Advised to Apply fur League Membership.

TORO\TO, Jan. 27.—Editor SPORTING LIFE:— Al Spnfding paid us an unexpected visit last Thursday, and to the writer it was quite a treat, for I remember seeing him play witn the Forest City-, of Rookford, in Philadelphia, in 1S70. He is looking remarkably well, and if anything younger than he did when I saw him last, some ten years ago.

He is "cJenn gone" on tobogganing, and after going down the Park and Rosedale slides ex pressed himself as delighted and said: "Next winter I im«(»i to feive m> 'Jhicago irieucU a tirst-cl slide in the Chicago ball grounds."

After being introduced to aa many of the admirers of bise 1*11 a-* hH limited stay w. uld v6™1 '** he met the new manager of the Toroiito B<u*e Ball Ciub—Mr J. H. Humphries— and a number of the di.'ectors of th« clnb, a;ul suggtsteJ that tiiey mike application to the League for admiSfiyn, aa they wanted a Western city, promising to give the appiicatiou his earnest aup^rt. He wtw .«oine»h»t aotuListit'd to hnuw we had a p<<pulati<m of V^ l^î, and that the club's receipts were 90 large for the first season.

Toronto is l'»Yora>>ly wtuated to go into the League, being '.Dly.lO* miles frt-m Ueta.it, aud in an almost di rect lin« to">V*- York, Pnila-Jelpiaa and Btstou. I.art season when it was rumored ihut BuEfalo inteuded to withdraw I rrged upon the directors uf the Toronto Club U» make tiie necessary application to take Buffalo's pl;ire. Wy 3n^gf*tion was thm not beedt-d, but after ^1'al'ling has reci mmendeii them to take tbts irep they feel that they raa<ie a mistake. I am satbfud that the day is not far di-tant when Tf'ronto will te iu the Lt-a-zue, for ebe can support a better clab thnn any town in New York State, New Yoik City and Brooklyn, of course, excepted.

liereirin^ to the renrarka of "B»t Bag." your Bing- hanjton c Tresp^ndent iu your i.-«ue of J**n. 27, I beg to say that his w u Id-be wit and Intent sarcasm Laa beeu appreciated at its full w<,rth.

Wing compelled to flnish die ttason on the co-op*raiiye piaii (ae «lid Biughamtou and Oswego last year), or to all >w thfir pU\eia to zo home at the eud. of the season without tn-ing paid in full.

As to the strength of the Toronto Cluh, while we ap preciate the fact that it is much stronger than it waa last yt'ar, we ku'>w that it will have iis hands full to beat tennis sii:h HS the Clippers, Louduas and Guelpha will put in the field.

If the Toronto Club waa in no better financial posit Sum than many of the New York State League cmbs it would not have been able to pay the advances and salaries demanded by the old Star players eugagtd, and auy crittcianid as to iheir playing abilities now sounds very much like "eour gwres." With or without an in r 'jrn>rional league the ûadiaa League will prosper arul finish the sea&on. C«% all the clubs c f the New Y ik Siate League do the fame? The Canadian League meets here at 'he Kotsin Huuoe to-morrow. NOMIS

THE SOUTHKKN LKAGVE.

Columbus Still Banting for a Franchise Minor Mention.

MACON, Oa., Jan. 28.—Editor SPORTISO LIFE:— After permitting their franchise to be sold to Memphis, the Columbua people have realized the fact that they desire to enjoy the game this year, and obtaining sufficient subscriptions as a guaran tee fund, thty have been on the yui vice after a franchise, making offers to first one member ct the League and then another, which inure little benefit so fir to Columbus, but on the eoatrary, stir up the laggard stockholders and subscriber of the towns who are not forthcoming with the cash necessary to run the club through the season. It is hardly probable that Columbus will regiin admb-sion to the Southern League, as local pride will, perhaps, prevent any other clubs celling out, .Jthough a tew b*ye stated that they wunM be com- (w-lltd to do so iiuleft* PubntatiEial as^tanê ia rendered. '(h° Wacon management Lave succ--ed<?d fairly well in th-ir fttibi»ciiLt:ouH and will put faith a fine clab for the jR-ntant.

New Orleans is desirous of membership in the League, and has U'tu on a hunt fur a franchise, which if gbe nboul'1 be able to purchase, would bt) of no service, as uut a 'lui> wnu!d >ot« t*. ratify it.

Columbus, iu ber despair, haa proposed ft ten-club Lfnî;e, whit b ia *lfO impracticable.

Tbrt* if the umpires appointed by President Proudfit Bf^m to be Bati»fnctury to the clubn, tnt complaint ha,-* b«en ntade agMinm La Croix,staftnx that hew ufrl not t-eace'pfc-d, AS h« was a craak, Ac., and a change will pr batty be made.

Jimmy tr-eeije, who ia on the staff, ia a favorite here, and it* qceadily at w,urk in this city nov»>tmt be isvety anxious f->r April to come.

Aap^cim-n ball ha« been submitted to President Proudfit by llarwood & Son, of Natick, who have madi- « propositiOQ to furuidh thtm to the League trte of cost. "

Jack Peltz has just returned from N>w Orleans where he BUixt-edeil in signing W. *miib, of last se«s»n'a Cul hmbui Club, who has l>een dîug fine work in. New Or- leans.

N'egutlttionsare pending now with Andrews, who hi Id djv*n fir-t !'»K for Columbus last year,and also wi:h Hu-isoD, wuidi if successful, will give us three of the nut-at baiterit-s South—viz:—M Hit r and Decker, t^mitii »tid Corc'nac, and Hudson abd llarter. Tlie bHB-tuen have uot)et beeu sigued, bfit **Daddy WaLth i° •• l "*' rl.

YBHIH.

The >ew York College AMO?Ut'on,SY»A':L>R, N. Y, Jau. 30.—The New Yo*fe sune Inter-

colleglite lutse ball A-MHidatiouheld it^ annual meeting here y««terdaj. Deleât'S were pie^cut fiom the Ui»i -n, Hamilton, Cornell, Hobwtt, H->cb(Htflr atd Sjrucu-e ciubs. The Ri'CheHter Club was exp*-lled from the As»o- • Ution on tfie ground lh*t laot year the club made 1 is tour of col leg. 9, collected f 5o guarantee fr> ru each, and, returning li.-ine, dlormridfd to e»jape paying its own guarantee to visiting clubs. Union, Ho'mrt atd Coruull prment*-'l ^rievjini.vs ot ihis kind Union nftVred t ' s«jt- Uel r 8.'5, ll..b«rt P.r J31,«nd0.>ni.:ll waived it cUim. rhe Kochenter m< n, howuvor, refuted to pny tho sums dfmaiHled aiid were expelled. The pennant f<>r la»t ypjtr « gjinien WB* award'-d tot'ornt-ll, the nine from t'.at collect- nut having loot a game. The Kxecntiv* Com minee w^re given power to admit the Troy Pulytechuic nitie to the A**ociation.

Come, I ot>Krn Tour Pnr*e Strlnj*.HOST x, Jan. W.— Koifur HPORTIMG Lire:— bv.tr Sir:

Tht ff i*-h'J«"f Ona-rli*- Folcy (Curry Fol*-y)»iil tender him a hetn*lit >n the 24fit uf n?.\t m >oth. tjharfif in erj puor in l*'ulth and pniw, «nd, kuowintc th-tt he

ha»B UriiO tjumb*-r of frieude in the L«a«e ball biiMJuc^, thiok ihi-y will very likfly dewire to help him. I

uld like to secure thf vtilitnble nidof your ex<-tltent ptr in !'<'(>miTf$ tho Ix-n^fit. rhurlie in v**ry sick »inl nfifjcl to the hontt^,and the affair in in the hxtids <>f au of iho uioHt proajiuKnt men of B"8ton. Wi,l >i>n NH*- fti.nconce (but nnitrt-y for the ticket (41 each)

*> nhawmat Avenue. Boet"n, auU Yours sincerely, THOMAS F. GUNM.VG.

MOBETROUBLE.The Mets and Brooklyns

Again at War.

Each Club Claiming Burch. the Left Fielder—The Metropoli

tan Side of the Case.

BW YORK, Jan. 30.—Editor SPORTISB LIFKT— The war between the Metropolitan and Brooklyn dabs, which everybody supposed was over, ha? broken out afresh. Having lost Orr and Rose- man, the Brooklyns now claim K. A. Bureh, though he signed with the Metropolitans on Sat urday last, and in conscience there is blood upon the moon, and George F. Williams, the secre tary of the Met?, who has learned more about b»se ball in two months than most men could master in as many years, is ag;iin in full war paint look ing for scalps.

As the Burch case promises to have some novel features, your correspondent called on Mr. Wil liams to-day and put him through an interview.

'•Is it true, Mr. Williams," said I, "that there is more trouble between the Metropolitans and Brooklyn? '!"

"Confound it, yes. These Brooklyn fellows seem to run afoul of us quite naturally. I di I think, after the question about Dive Orr and James Roseman was definitely settled, I would have nothing more to do with the club across the river, but we are again at war, lain sorry to say."

"What is it all about 1""Oh, the same old story. They played fast and

loose with Burch, and when he signed with us they now trump up a claim to him, and, strange to say, have induced Mr. MeKnight to endorse them as in the right."

"How did you come to be both after Burch ?""I'll tell you. Mr. Gifford was looking for

players, and learned that Burch was open to an engagement. On Jan. 11 he telegraphed to our agent in Denver, Col., to ask Buroh if he would play with us. On the following day we Deceived this telegram:

" 'DenvEH, C.-.I., Jan. 12.—The Brooklynil have wired acceptance Burch's term-, but he has not received con tract, if the contract in not received by Thnrsday (Ihe 14th inst.) next, he will wire tlum u-jthJrawiug propo sition and then b* open to negotiations.'

"On the l^th we offered Burch certain term? and did not hear from him until the 16th (Satur day) when our agent sent the following telegram:

'"DENVER. Col., Jan. 16.—Burch offered terms to Brutkiyn. They wired acceptance and agreed to for ward contract. Eleven days hare passed and no con tract ims cume. Biuokba* now say they will forward another. If you obtain McKnigUt's consent aud for ward it he will sign with y"U. Authorize me toengage.'

"This we did on Sunday and at the same time wired Mr. MeKnight as follows:

"'Niw BRIGHTON, S. I, Jan. 17.—Will yen approve our contract with Burc'u, of l>tuver, Col. He wiaaee to come to 113.'

•To this MeKnight replied:'PrrrsBtRo, Jau. 18—1 have notice of Bnrch con

tract with Brooklyn. Will approve first which comes to

and found yonr Burch contract here, addressed in my care. Ho compared the signatures of the two docu ments, and found them ideuti.-al. Mr. Byrne had a Itrê number of letters and telegram*, shotting th tt he had mailed the regular furms of contract at the proper time, but there had oeen an unusual delay in their arri val, owijg probably to the storms and snow blockade. But he did not neml 10 tender Mr. Burch the regular contract until the 4th of February, under tha rule. You cannot deny that, for the language of the rule u very clear, viz., the second paragraph cf Section 10, Ar ticle VI. of our Constitution. Even Mr. Giffjrd will, I think, tell you that my decision is correct. I have not broken my word, as you nired him, for the rule says that the documeLt which Mr. Ryine presented to me is * contract, and consequently I navo approved the first contract which reached me.

[" 'DESVER.CO!., Jan. 5.—I hereby agree to sign a con tract to play ball with Ihe Brooklyn Base Ball Club, of Brooklyn, N. Y., during the sea«on of 1886, at a salary of $2'2.> per mouth. It is expressly agreed, however, between the manager of thi. club »nd myself that te shall loan me tUe suru of $2~:5 to be repaid to him out of my sular> ai : d that the. club shall furnish all uui- f.'rnis required ty me. (Signed) E. A. BVRCH.J

V'tsueii) A. A. ADAMS, witness.'"If you are still not convinced yon can, of course,

t-riog the matter before the boaid of directors. I do Dot think you will jump ou me, as others have done,becanse we hold a ditt'erouce of opinion.

•(Signed) H. D. Me'KNIGHT.' "Poor MeKnight," said Mr. Williams with a

laugh. "How pat bet ft that sounds. President Byrne hud evidently been jumpirfg on him or he would have remembered tnat the new National Agreemor' expressly says th.it contracts must be completed within ten days after acceptance of terms and not thirty, as was the old rule. The president of the Brooklyn Club chooses to base hi? claim on the old agreement, which a month ag> he told Mr. Wiman was not worth the paper it was written on. Then he was willing to tear it all to rags for the purpose of getting Orr and Roseman, now he belds it up as a valid document because it suits his purpose to do so. You will notice that Byrne talks about the sn>w storm de- laving his contract. The fact is the storm only occurred in time to delay onr contract mailed Jan. 17, yet it reached Burch in time for him to sign on Jan. 23. I don't believe Mr. Byrne, and it is quite evident he did not send two con tracts, lie was only playing with Burch, and had he succeeded in getting Orr or Roseman, Burch would have been dropped .like a hot po tato. That is Byrne's way of doing business."

"And that is your case?""Yes, there it is. Do yon know this bise ball

warfare is getting to be very amusing. But in all seriousness I beg to say that I do not think Mr. Bnrch will play on the Brooklyn team. Mr. Byrne must learn to conduct his busiue.-s on the square."

Mr. Williams was in excellent humor, and laughed heartily now and then while the inter view was in progress. He evi lently relishes the prospective nght, and we may look out for some fun before It is definitely decided.

CLOSE OBSERVER.

eoniwe W" i • • : . • , • . - with us, and I at oncu notified Mr. AieKui^ht oi the fact and also announced the release of Eddie Kennedy. To this Mr. MeKnight replied:

Pirr^Bi/R'-,, Jan. 21.—I had previous notice of Burch's engagement. Muat hear further. Shall consequently hold Kennedy for yon until I_know. Will write you

"The president of tbe Association was here showing the white feather, and was hedging. I therefore wrote him by mail as follows:

" 'New YORK, Jan. 22.—H. P. McKnisht, Jfcq., etc.:— Although you intended it kindly in saving you would hoi 1 Mr. Kennedy for n*, I beg to say that we want his release announced, as be ma; have an opportunity to find an engagement. We do not intend to keep him. As for tbe Burch matter, it is very pimple. He gjive Brooklyn his terms, and, alter waiting eleven days, de cided to offer himself to us. We accepted, and our con tract is probably signed by ibid time. Ele was not on any reserve list. I hold your telegram sUting that yog would apjirove whichever contract first readied you As ours i.s the cnly oue ilr. Bnrch will sign, the Metro politan CWb will hold you to jour announcement, and shall expect you to approve our contract wi-h Burch as soon as presented. GEO. F. WILMAMS,

"*3*cr«Uiy Met. li. B.C.'"In the meantime the following telegram wa«

received from our Denver agent:M 'DENVER, Col., Jan. 21.—Brooklyns notify Burch

through their agtut here that be must si^n and play with ihern <T be de-barred. Will you guarantee him full protection il he bigus your contract when it airiveoV

"Mr. Wiinan the next day sent the following response:

" 'New YORK, Jan. 22.—Tell Burch to have no fears about figniug with us. We will protect bim at all hazards.1

*'That same afte-noon I got the following letter from Mr. MeKnight:

"*PiTTf>BtR«, Pa., Jan. 21 —George F. William?, Esq.—Dear Sir:-~l received a telegram from ('resident Bjiue, of ihe Brooklyn Club, on the 16th stating that they had engaged E. A. Bnrch and sent him cjn'ruct. By my record Burch belonged to BilUmoie, aud I so wired Bit-Mr i. Byrne ai.d Barni*. Tee latter notified me tbnt he had released Lurch. To-day I received a long letter from Mr. Byri>e stating that satisfactory terms hadlong fcioce bt eu ma<ie with Burch, but the late storms had delayed the return of his contract. I want to know what jon hav- to say on the subject, tut it seems to me uow that Brooklyn'* cl»in is e«ott.

'(Signed) H. B. McKxioiiT.'"To my letter of tbe 22d he replied as fallows:'"ViTTBBLRO, Jan. 2o.—Geoige F. Williams, Esq.—

Dear Sir:—1 think you do not quote my telegram ex- HCtly right, not as I sent it aft<-r leaving my office. I have no copy of it. Flense send me a full and exact copy of it. Even if I did uot express my mean ing clearly, I canuot act in any way contrary to our rules. I have nut yet heard fr<>m Brooklyn educe writing you before, and I do not know exactly what documents they have in shape of telegram* or letters from Burch, but if they have any, and accepted his terma before you did, they are allowed, urder section 10 Article VII., thirty day* to get the regular contract. Pk-auf give me a full account i-f how your negotiations were con ducted, and on what you base your claims to i>urcb'» wrvices. I Impe that ihe iimtrer will adjust itielf w plainly that there will be no further trouble al<oiit it. We bare âd *n<-ngh excitemeut »m( qna-n-Uiny this winter. (Signed) H D. MCK.NIOHT.'

"I replied tu tnU by sending him an exact m-py of bis telegram of Jan. 17, and told him that while we did not wish t«,» have any more quarrel ing, we would not surrender our lights for fear of a quarrel, adding that as Mr. Gifford was guing to his home at Columbus he would atop at Pittsburg and explain our side of thecase. We had in the meantime been informed by telegraph, Under date of Jan. 23, that Burch had signod our contract aud that it was in the mails. Mr. Clifford reached Pittflburg yesterday and sent on the following tt leg ram;

" TiTTfBVRO, Jan. 28.—Have wm MeKnight and pre sented our c«»ntract with Burch, also our claims air) axieemenl with Burch. B^roe here aud presented hio lepers and claim*. McKrdgbt decline* to approve our contract with burch, and »ay« Brooklyn's agreement, »igDed by Burch Juu 5, hÛU him andur Nation.tl AKieeoieot, and tbat lie will h-tt'u to approve samn and send notice accordingly. Williams hud bvtter cnm« ou 'ieru to attend meeting ccbedule commntê Sunday with me and present our c«.w to U)ard of director*. $e ml ^»pf>r-in Burch cane. (Mgued) J. U. GirroRD.1

"This morning I received the following letter*rom Prefident MeKnight:

•**I'iTT8Bi*KO, Jan. 28.—George F. WHliamB, Secretaiy HetrupolitMii B. B. C.:— \s you will learn troin the cir- cuUr «nc( «wl, I h*v« dfvidvd that the Brooklyn Club » entitled to Mr. Bnrch's wnr(oc«. Mr. Byrne walk>d nto tuy ifffice ttiJH morning and haniled HJO an agree

m»nt figned by Burcb ou Jan. 6, of which I euclose you pencil copy. Mr. Gifford came to a few minuua later

BINES' CASE.

Why Boston Will Probably ba Compelled to hurremler Paul.

The Boston papers appear to be worrying them selves very much over the question whether Paul Kioea will phiy with Boston next season, and are much disturbed over a report that he was assigned to Washington at the recent New York meeting. THE SPORTING LIFE can say that Ilines was not assigned to Washington at that meeting, and it can also say that there is but a slim prospect of Hines' playing on the Boston team next season. In order to understand thecase fully 't U ne?e?.*ary

: ' ~'gfc* infrlfriaiT**'' of u ;ce fraatfdw. At th-

..<..-0 _ „.,,....., when it became eviu-i.; ,,.„» Providence could or would give no guarantee ot finishing the coming season, is was determined to let that club out as easy and whole as possible, and for this purpose four clubs—Philadelphia, Bos ton, Chicago and New York each contributed $1,650 to buy Providence's franchise and to hold the players in the League. Philadelphia and Boston were each entitled to two Providence players for their share of the money, while New York and Chicago, already strong enough, were pledged not to touch any of these players, in order to permit the other clubs to strengthen them Belve5. They were to be reimbursed for their outlay from the sale of the players. The St. Louis Club was then given the next pick, ani Washington was prom ised itschoioe from the rest, provided it was ad mitted to membership, which latter hinged upon tbe securing of a Western club in place of Buffalo, whose tranche had beeu surrender* d ru the League by De trnit. This mucb agreed npon, Mr. S-den, of B.'-stor. was appoiut-jd on behalf of tbe four clubs -A committee of oue to purchase the franc hire and \,-> anange the de tail* of tbe transfer of the players, aud it so happened that these four clubs being now most interest-d were appointed the committee on vacancies, about which our readers have be<*rd to much of late. Fur her $1,650 Bottou Wit s alloitttl Raxib /urn and Dailey, Pbiladrlj^hia got Panell aud one other player y^t 10 be seletUd, aud Shaw, Gilligrti), Cntruil and iliue^ fell to Waehiusjton. With the subsequent course of events onr readers are familiar. 8| Hiding's failure to eecim Pittaburg, aiid hit determin*tiou to oppose any increase in membership owing to ihe utipr mining t-rosj-t-ct of s> curing a pa\ ing \S esM ru citi; V usbii.^toii'o despair and leap into the American A*M> la i >L'S arms: ail are fresh in miud. At tUat time it set-med ceitaiii ttiat tbe League would haê but nix clubs, and Mr. Sod^n pre miming up>m this boldly eiyut-d Paul Hine* lor tbe B s;ou Club, ôw tbi-t waa a clear brrach ot trust. He hitd gotten all he was entuk-d to, and for the r^tit was acting for hid fel'ow members of the committee, while the I'biladelphia Club hud still the opiiou of one more mau and had a prior right tu Hine.-, as had ot. Lûis. A strong kick w.mld have b> en Qi-ide, even if the eisht-club aclieme had not fin ally succeidcd, and Uiaea would, in all probability,have beeu taken from Bostou iu any event. Sodeu's excuse for h tit art aciiun was that he considered th>it tbeie wuuld certainly be but six clubs and that Bines pie ferr»d Bontou to all tbe other League cities. Now.how- (•ver, that Washington is a I eague member, the original altottnifut holds* good and Hin s i^ W'ai-hington's man unless that c!ub voluntarily relinquishes him, au event altogether unlikely we undrrstaLd. Aud even if Wash- iugton reli'.qni«h''8 him it ia by no means certain thut the Philadelphia Club will uot make a fight against Boston's retention of iiines,

INDIANAFOLIH' SITUATION.

NOT YET SETTLED.The Eighth National League

Club Still Unchosen.

Cincinnati Out of the Count-ANew Applicant for

the Vacancy.

Nothing has yet been done toward filling th« Western League vacan :y beyond consultations be tween Messrs. .Spalding, Lucas an 1 Marsh. Neit week, however, the cooimittee will meet in Chi cago and then the choice will be made. The Cin-" riunati lAdgue scheme is dead, if indeed, it ever had any life. The applicants for the vacancy now are Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Kansas City and a new comer—Tironto. The hitter's application causes no little surprise in base ball circles, but it should not be forgotten that Toronto's claims are just as good as those of Milwaukee,Kansas City or Indianapolis. In point of population it surpasses Indianapolis, an] in regard to spotting enthu siasm, none of the oth«r citiea named can approach it. It J8 a mistake to anppuse fhat base ball in Canada at the preaeut time am >uuts to a craze that ia liable to ilia oot in tbe rnidat of the gfason. The gttme has a 4troDf< hold there. Besi'les tbe club bag the advantage of good financial back'ug, and baa also already under con tract a atrong team composed of tho majoiily of laat •eagon's Syracu« Stars, who won the Ntw York State League cham[>ioa>hip. The team might, with wme of the disengaged League playeis, be made into a far sln.ugcr tt>«m than oue of the new Western clube, with rôthing for a uujlens. Another advantage to be derived fr^m the a'lmissioa of Toronto is a great saving in car fare, it being coaveaiently situa ted on a direct liae between the East and Weat. The most serious objection ia the coldutMg of the climate and tbe consequent lateness of spring there. However, the claims of Tojontoare well worth serious considera tion. Certain it is that ia the event of Torouto's ad mission, the other clubs would not find it dead wood. However, no member of the committee has as yet ex pressed a preference, aud all the applicants will meet ivith equal favor. Merit alone will gain the place.

_, ^____ »HINTS TO MANAGERS.

A Pointer or Two ou Bundling a Team of Players.

From the veteran Chadwick we learn that Mr. (Jifi'ord, the newly-appointed manager of Mr. Wi- inan's Metropolitan Club, asserts that he is to havt the undivided control of the club's team of players, and, under such circumstances, he will soon be enabled to show what ability he possesses as a professional club manager. He was materially interfered with as manager of the Exhibition Com pany's Metropolitan team in 1883 and, therefore, L»uld nit justly be held amenable ort >e failure of the team to retain the honors th- y woi the year previous. But this year his position 13 different, and better results will naturally be looked for. It is impossible for the manager of a team to carry out his plans of a field campaign v:'ch justice to his reputation or with credit to his club, unless he is left untrammeled by the interference and orders of club officials occupying the positionsof direetors. Players will not attend t« discipline or obey orders from the manager so long as they know that they

Notified of the League Committee Meeting; —Wants to Knl«r Uucouditioiially.

IMDIANAI-OLIS, Jan. 28.—Editor SPORTI>G LIFE: —The great question as to what Western city will be taken into the National League fold ia still undecided. SpalJing, of Chicago, has written a leitef to the local people that the committee ap pointed to fill the vac-in^y will meet in that city within a week or ten days, and invites Indian apolis to send a representative. President Schwa- bacber will go, he tells me. and endeavor to show the League that it will be to its advantage to select this city—with what success I am unableto say. It if, of course, nay personal opinion, in

of the location, population, grounds and general interest taken in the game here, that this is the mo-t available place in the West, but what the Li-ague will think uu»ut it in another m»tt*r. Tit- ui«DH(>o!ui wants to go in, Is willing to give a*snrancea ot ability to go thru 11*» the teasou, will put the IK-HI possible club in the field and s«eiu« confident that at tbe end of the Bt'SM-n rihf will make a better showing than at least two tut*oib< rs of the League. From M'. Spald- mg'ij letter it M to b" inferred that location, popula tion, in cert at in tbe gam<* »nU tbe alii tin <>f tbe backers to support a r)U'i will be taken into «c- cuuut. and if tbU u really duiio Iridinntpohs will btand it g-»«Kl chance of getting in. Thi-* city, however, wil, go iu only as an nncouitluonal meQib^r. [i*t>he goes in it will tw with the intention of itaying, and with thai tioi <n view Mhe will put a team in tne field that will in n cru«lit tu the city aud to the League. It wouM IK- tolly to go in under conditions that would give th» LvaKUW the rigrit to drop tb^m at tbe end of tbe seaitou. aud it will not be don**, tadhioapolt* is a good bnl, town, a-nl will support a go< d lAM*ue team. However.

qiifK'iou will soon b* "rUli*!, and 1 need not re|<eal what I hare wti 1 many ti-iif-i i^tor-n. A. G. O.

h«i been rel*-astnt by the Athletic, «n1 1h«ol I s*;»rid bug at T^ a«d Je^r--, « eurn-m

iti > ir. lie h *n bt-t-n with the AtbU-tio 00 i. 7 -m th^t the town will for a while look itmnge « Hh

,rn-m will know

i. any

oot him.

i-election ot his men, m their field mai HL'emeut aud in linngin^ about thorough training and discipline. In tbifj way only can a manager carry out hid plans; and if he is nut allowed just such scope f^r his operitiona he should not be held to responsibility for the failure of the tf-am to reach the goal of success at the close of the eaaoB.f lot"- ssional club managers would do well to bear in

mind (he following tacts in connec;iun with their organ izing aud controlling a team ot plavers;

In the 6rsc place be sure of the character of the me* yon select as players in your team. If your choice uiuit nece-aarily lie between a very gkilllul piayer whose character is not exactly up to tbe staudard and one who ia inferior in pitying skill, but whose integrity and fidelity are unquestioned, the latter should unhesi tatingly bechoaen, as be will be fouud the best to terve the interests of the club in the long run.

In your treatment of professionals, let them be made to ftel that they are members of the club, aud nat merely hired men. Some club members are in tha habit of speaking to their professionals aa if they weie eo many elnvea. This is poor policy in every respect, and the imperious wa> in which twnie men use their brief authority shows theif own smallnessof miud and low character more than anything else. A really manly manager or captain nererâbused his authority iu this way.

In traiiiing np a new nine never judge of a man's skill by his plajing one or two games only. It takes * series of contests either to show a player's ability or to develop his weak points. It is merely folly to estimate a player's skill by either his fine play ia one game, ur his poor display in another. Then, again, due allowance should be made for lack, of practice. Remember, too, that your 'steady, earnest worker^, who pity with a will in every game, are wurth two of your dasuy, brilliant pliyer*, who shine oue day aud play listitefely tbe next. Above all, avoid quick-tempered men, as they lose more games than they litIp to win.

WILT, HOT JUMP.

Pittsburg to Accept the Association's Deci sion in the Barkley Case.

The Pittsburg Time* on Thursday contained aa allpged interview with Manager Phillips in which that gentleman ia reported as saying: "Ihe Pittsburg Club intends to hold on to Barkley, as they signed him legally. The club will demand an investigation [on Sunday, probably at the schedule conference-Êd.] and if the majority is t'ound against Pittsburg, the latter will at once telegraph to Spalding and ftoden, of the League vacancy committee, asking them not to fill the Western vacancy for a week or two. If during that time any attempt ia made to deprive us of Barkley, we shall go over to the League." Manager Phillips, however, in all tbe other Pittshnrg papers denounces the inter view as a lie out ot the whole cloth. He says ha di>i not talk to tbe reporter of tbe paper or even see oue. He authoriz. s the fl *t contradiction of the item <*s one manufactured at bi-exptLse. fecretaiy ricandrett also tCtjutg all idea of a jump. He sajs: " \Ve are going to it ay iu th<3 Association, aud the barkteycase i-t going to be decided iu and ty the rules of the Association, un- ie*8 it appear that the Association ha-t overstepped ita auihoifty.and then the Barkley case will be d. terminal judicially Uj a court where a strict interpretation will be givwi tbe rules governing our Association as w^ll 49 the law in the case." Of course Pittobnrg won't jump. Nimick kuows on which side his bread is buttered. Phillips tuny bavu m*de the threat*, but if he did thej were uuly intended for a bluff and not a call.

Give Taylor a .PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 30.— Editor SPOBTINQ LIFE;—

Your Southern correspondent wh<> signn him»eU~ u "Observer" diil me great injustice in taw Severn 1 accusi- (ions which he mwle against me. There B much saiJ iu tbe pHpers about m» and huviug broad fcboulders Imvo been able b) carry the load aud s-*y nothing, bit A-iien my reputation for honesty H attacked I deem it iu> duty tobnno the itctuseraaafAlsifter who only niAk"«iie clmrge wa« maliciously iuteitt, 1 have uever ap

proached A m>iu iu mv life, nor h-tve I agreed or con- ipir^Jt* throw » game of ball. I challenge the worldo prove differently "Ob*f rver" wiys I »ppro;iched Ke.lyîhepiichei of tho Biimiitgham Club. God forbidhat auy mau wilh »+-une should approach

cltat cluO. The Nashville team coul t win•r m that t'a:u with tase. The idâ in ab- .ind. And iu rftgnid to uiy being filled wi h Kansas Ciiy aud Nasbvtlle beer. That H >uo.l* funny to nt, ear — Tt, ry nice to rt-iid, an<l all that. A»k the peo-•le iu th« South a*, to wbether I w;w filled with beer. ly record iu the Southern Lfag'ie uaiN that lie. My

• >le desire «*•* to r.-âm my former pn-<tiige in the Jorth. I did it, and i»ten 1 to k «p it. Manager irtruie ban t re tut) me very kincll»,»ud I intend to re-••v him by h-r I work aud the b havior rf •> gentlumao.

<*.trd >n me for tbe leugfh of tins rt»rd, bur. 1 thiuk I in eutiUwd to the priviltge of a denial. I am respect-

.ully,.

WM. HL TAYLO*.

the sporting life. -...

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