Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1887 — RIGHTS OF BALL-PLAYERS. [ARTICLE]

RIGHTS OF BALL-PLAYERS.

A Movement to Prevent the Buying; and Sel Ing of Them. [Boston dißpatch.] Now that all other labor troubles are settled, or in process of settlement, the baseball players are coming forward and demanding that their claims be satisfied. With them it is not a question of pay or hours of work, but simply an abolishment or amendment of the present methods by wLich they are bought and sold as completely as were ever black slaveß before the emancipation proclamation. There is at present a base-ball union, called the Brotherhood of League Base-Ball Flayers, of which Ward, of New York, is President, and before next week is out the brotherhood wiil have informed the League managers fully of what it intends to demand, and the presumption is that most of its demands will be satisfied. There is as yet no talk of strikes or lockouts, and it is hoped that the settlement will be an amicable one, for it is felt on all sides that if the brotherhood should take the bit in its teeth the disruption of the National League would be the result. The brotherhood is weaker in Chicago than other cities, only Williamson, Pfeffer and Flint being members, but the Chicago club has to stand or fall with the League, and if it is broken in New York, Detroit, Boston and Philadelphia President Spalding will find his occupation gone. Jnst as surely, also, if it comes to a fight, the sympathy of the public will be with the ballplayers.