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 improvements of the game. You can find some very good ideas there. At any rate, the contrast between the constitution of '76 in this National League and the one of 1901 before us is very marked.

"It was customary for the Eastern Clubs to go West and the Western Clubs to go East, and back again, two trips each year. In those days the expense of traveling back and forth was enormous. Previous to the organization of the League, the New York and Philadelphia Clubs had got the Western Clubs to come East twice; they had gone once, and when it came the following year, they said, 'We don't go.' They were given to understand when they came into the National League that no more nonsense of that kind would be allowed. The first year we ran against the New York and Philadelphia people trying the same thing on the National League. At the annual meeting Mr. A. G. Mills appeared as State's attorney for the National League and demanded the expulsion of these two Clubs. It was one of the most pathetic scenes I ever witnessed. I saw the President of the Philadelphia Club in Mr. Hulbert's room, with tears in his eyes, saying: 'I beg of you not to expel us; we will enter into any bonds; we will do anything.' Mr. Hulbert said: 'No; we are going to expel you to-morrow.' The same thing was done with the New York Club, which was run by Mr. Cammeyer, a great personal friend of Mr. Hulbert. Mr. Hulbert said: 'No; we are going to expel you.' They were brought into the room, charges were made, and the vote was unanimous against them. The New York Club walked out; the Philadelphia Club did the same thing. We didn't stop to consider gate receipts. What did we take into their places? Worcester and Troy! Think of that!

"I have been in the National League when we did those things. The following year we found four players selling games when we were organized to protect them and prevent it. They were guilty. One player came to Chicago, appeared in Mr. Hulbert's office with tears in his eyes, down on his knees in prayer, and begged him not to expel; that his family was starving. Those were pathetic times. I remember Mr. Hulbert going into his pocket and giving the man fifty dollars. He said: 'Devlin, that's what I think of you personally; but, damn you, you have sold a game; you are dishonest, and this National League will not stand for it. We are going to expel you.'

"I have lived in those days. I have seen the result of such action. The New York and Philadelphia Clubs were expelled and you are enjoying the fruits of it; it gave a standing to this national sport. The expelling of those players has preserved the integrity of