Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, January 28, 1877, Page 7

PASTIMES. «gpalding’s Plan ” Defended by Its Author. it Meets with General Favor Among Outside Clubs. Some “ Association” Rem- iniscences. of Former Years. A New Opportunity for Betting Men---The Ethics of Quail- Eating. scattered Notes for Tnrfmen, Billiard- .ists, and Other Sports, BASE BALL. SPALDING INDULGING IN A DEFENSE. The enly suspicion of a sensation in the hase- pall world just 10w is caused by the considerg- ton of Spalding’s plan for affiliating semi-pro-. fessional clubs with the League, and offering them the advantages of its organization for the sarious purposes for which they need one. The idess which Mr. Spalding advanced met with it favor among the better class of clubs not great fathe Learue, and 80 many of them expressed their approval as to seriously disturb the mov- o6 of the Anti-League Association, who put gorward Waite, of St. Louis, to reply. HisJet jerdrew out from Spalding the following re- Joinder, which was sent to the Globe-Democrat jn sescon to be printed to-day: Cuicaco. Jan. 25.~To the Editor of the St. Zouis Globe-Democrat ¢~ Being rasponsible for & plan of professioral clnb allinnce now before the ublic, I caunot well refuse to reply to questions concerning it, and_therefore comply with your +uggestion that 1 **declare™ myself on the motive imputed 10 the plan by Mr. Watte, who hus **de- clared ™" himedlf on the subjeetin a letter which you publish with the remark that it will be perused with great interest as cominz from Mr. L. C. Waite, of the St. Louis Ited Stockings, the orig- instor’ of the **International™ movement, and considered unthorized to speak for the *‘Inferua- tomale.” In order that the iseues may not be wvoided and to enable yoir- readers to juage what waenerof man ** thearimaator of the International movanent” s 1 quotc his exact langmage in #£eaking for himeelf and ‘-his friends™ regard- inz the proposed plan: **We are_dccidedly op- ‘podud to the plan proposed by Mr. Spalding. From the Outside clubs wha have written fo mc on the sabject. 1 ascertain Wat Mr. Spalding's walk-into- ;ny—purlw epifll"‘-:‘. w“i: thic heads-! jose ugreenent throWR s+ is considered a jug- bandle aflair, originated gor e rpress in%— pose of shutting 08t oupg iy ciner. 1 distinctly chfine e to prove the truth o of e Tl ot >dif, as he alleses, he has fettes™y | SSTIIORS 1B sghjcot, and bas any rezard for 1O Clube ou for Yeociy, he will ublish in youli TEPREACO! i clihe, aid the extracts PADCT the letters containing tiie satement that they o s the plans ** originuted for the cxpress pure 9ck sbuiting ont clubs. in eazne cltlen, - My rosS,0f for thus impugning 3 Waite's statement arg 122 wat 1 know of one club, and but one, that has Jritten hin on the sibject, nnd believe ‘toat club incapable of utierin; any such nonsense, and sec- ond. I believe therr is N0 swwnrance g0 dense o ent 50 kices 28 to LONEstly evONE feom the plain_terms of the ** form of agreement, * or from 0y of my letters relatisg thereto, the **express purpose * or even the xEmotest iden ‘*of shatting out clubs in League cit®s. " Mr. Waite continues, **kmowing that norLeagme clubs intended ip meet in convention Why did not Mr. Spalding it until Feb, 20,-0d then send in his-proposition o good faith?, e the aimplest reaton in the world. Tie des¥ 10 monopolize basc-ball patron. zgeln this conlI- Thials casily proved. . Why wes his jn'LiOD 1O sent to clubs in e citiest Take the St. Louis Reds, for instanco. They have Alflled all their engagements, do mot owe a cext and can play a good game, but are left ontin thCold.” The answers 1o this are 58 num: . Waite'sassertions. 1 didnot know that non-Lague clubs intended to meet in convention Feb. 9 and certainly ould not have withheld my “+prposition ™ for 2 momont had I been sware of soy 0ch intention. My **desire to monopolize tae-ball patronaze In this country ™ is not proved bymy failure to withbold my ** proposition * azti) Kb, 20, nor by auy of my acts.” I have not sent s+ invitation ” 10 anybody, and heve left nobody “ontinthe cold.™ 1 have' efmply sngnosted. s form of azreement for any or all non-League clubg 10 make with eachother, that seemed to me to pro- vide effectually for all the general wents of such clubs in their relations to each other and to. the League clube, and wlich, in its reference to the Leazue, is based simply upon Leaguc legislation ibat'such clubs had the right 10 avail themselves of ¥ithout the jutervention of myself or of anybody, zue Waite | but with the terms of which they were probably 48 yet unfamiliar. For the purpose of acquainting Them withits featuzes, and to exchange views up- on it, 1 sent the paper to oflicers of three or four dubs, whom 1 believed to be intelligent, clesr- hexded, experienced men, working, mot for per- sonal motariels, but for thé material interest of their clubs, aud capable of passing impartial judg- ment npon the meritsof_the plan. Consequently, 1did not eend it to Mr. Waite. Any doubis I may hove had in regard to the merits of the plan have been removed by its approval by ihe gentlemen who have revlied in_resard to it, as ¥ell 25 by the _opposition of Mr. Waite snd the Philadelphia Mercury, and it ouly remains for any orall non-League clubs, that desirc to do so, to eatet into and reap the benefits of tho proposed agreement. In reference to Mr. Waite's fdea (10 which he sgain alludes at the close of his letter) of walting atil Feb. 20, 10 submit a ** proposition, ™ it scems lome that any non-League club that has assumed the responeibility of hiring players muet desiro the earlicst and fullcst possible opportamty of consid- ering any proposed plan of action that may involve the saccess or fmilure of it enterprises, 1 bave, o my own responsibility, eugzested & plan for the consideration of such clubs. On behalf of the pro- posed **International * project 1 have neither 1 1be press or ia correspondence found anything but YRe Intimations of ¢*self protecuon™ **handi- pping clubs, ™ **rines within ringe, * ete., etc. I Jeatare the opinion_that no club wants £0 go to tteburg to plunge blindly into some illy-consid- ered ulopian scheme or to listen 1o the Vettes of (ay selish or ambi- tious demavogue. If ‘the originator of e Intormations] movement™ has ony definite, 1angible, feaslbie xcheme “*10 offerat Pitsburg™ for the Leneflt of non-League clubs, lef kim pre- senlit now, 50 thar ite wérvits may be fairly con- didered and jul'y discussed.. Should it be found 10 poseces anv real merit it would beno_less the Quty than the interest of all clubs thus situated to Weetand anpaint the agents to carry such plan - toeflct, whileif it be foundto possessno real Derit it will become no Jess the duty and the i Lerest of euch cluius fo adopt some better. plan b Jore the playing seazon opene. Mr. Waite thus froceede: ““The proposition not to engaze non- e3gue plavers after March 15 amounts o noth- Inz. Suppose, for instance, an omtside club lad $azaged an aprincipled playeron the istof last favember, to play until the st of next Novem- Qgr' d toat eaid player bud received pay for November. and it canc 1o pass that s League club Fanted him. there would be notbing to preveut it desertion if inducement cnough were offered him to viplate his contract.” m (L resume NIr. Waite means to say that the nes “§uc sale prohibiting Lesgue clubs from cap- gmng_‘ph-ycrs under “contract with non-League 6 “‘amounts to nothing.” That rule amounts Lo preciselx what it prescribes, and will be carried Quttothe fetter, a3 all League rales have been, 84y propoced form of agrecment provides un 2dequaie means of enabling non-League clubs to henre 1t observance by League and non-League clubs alike. aswaming for the sake of argument that le's asertion that the rule ‘‘amounts to potning™ iy wel! founded. let us ece what he pro- hotstodoabontit. Further on in his Jetter he %2 **1t is the jutention of the International As- :‘fl{m 0 admit qll clubs employing players, 3nd ke such measuros ae will protect clubs end remsalike, and break up the pernicious habit of fovalving. ™ '} kat measurest How can on ** In- Jmatlonal Association ™ prevent the revolsing of Efiflflrnm non-League to League clubs? This '® VeI thins sach clubs want to prevent. and I oadd like o “scc the edict of any Assoc:ution x then the League that would have a feather's gt tn effecting it h;lkh conuection invite your readers to con- B Ne of! Mr. Waite's vasuc and delueive promise with Spfellan] dietinet. provisions of the - League v ment, ' as sumnarized inmy letter 1al, +-3. 1t wiilsive far better sccarity against re- :’fln:' of your players than ol be aRoeded {70 br ans isdependont associstion, ingsmuch as emplors the machinery of the League to enforce 200eelts, and compele Learne Clabs to toke uce of your contracts and_your expulsions of g‘_ ert, Jeaving them no excase for not comolying thedahe terws of the new Leazue low prohibiting AR {f0m capiuring vour plaers.” Mouaite niso says: *+If “Mr. Spalding i3 so imvjpons for the succees of non-League Clubs, his itstion eho, have been cxtended to all of trow, 0d the attempt shonld not be made {0 pongost clubs in League cities, this being the TG Pal obiect of his scheme. flnu 18 sitipiy the reiteration of an utterly falee stageroundices charge, and is yuite as absura gsa andement that has just been brought to my notice, Dog Yhich I am inormed is boime used to drive mege3gue clob into the ¢ International move- Conh ™ {0 the effect that the Leagae, at its inst e Clon, enacted legislation probibiting Leaguc Hoos from olaying non-League clubs before the Tang gy ¢ feason~—n - staterment that1s simoly Bufactared out of whole cloth. £ Waite further euys: *+1 believe that if mo 70:itloa Lied been made to organize 3 new as- ol to0n the Leazue would never nave condescend- Jiogotice ontside clubs a all. ™ +galew of his preceding statements, Mr. Waite's creaef™ on this orany other pofnt wiil hardly e susprise; but it is a fact thas no League leg- THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 28 1877—SIXTEEN PAGES. 7 Islation was 1 = 23 Mr, w;x:umfifi& by any each considerations ter of profoundes; ingi2d it s doubtless a mat- ors Whether Mr. ~ence 10 Leayue mana- g P Qizes an oniside asso- ciation or nof e Acts had seen commiy,q during the past B& Efievances by friends seaton thay were reguis fonputalde clubs, and e Letrs Tuding 1tself no ertaoks o volun- lonzer an experiment, mp) tanly do jostice to onufyy ‘::’IRi by providing ou means for their protect ¥ 1o not belleva that the Leos SO0 £0te to Pittsburg. and 1 cortaflee yrinp oad 8 dele- Hon to offer there. There fy o hges BoAOPO8l in my sugzestions because I happeneg £ o LARCe League clab. The Loaae ia Fle T My Suggestions. nor for what tothem. Imade them because ] have boos gl aver for many yoars, so situated as to undcurand the workings and - the wants of club organtzatapg. and have frequently been consuited (as 5EVCu] Other expericaced persons have been) by memben. oL other clubs on_ topics of that character. Apart Tom & fecling of interest arising from suchclrcum- gmncq_:-. I have no concern in the conrse thst may c taken by the differcnt clubs, and I want simply 1o add that the suzgestions I have made are free for the adoption or rejection of the *+St. Louis Reds, ’;,',‘,‘3‘."(‘:: orall other non-League clubs employing S0much for Mr. Waito'sletter. I notice In an- othicr part of your paper a critlcism on 690 of the stipulations in_the *‘form of agreoment.” The clause in question fs that requirinz avritten notice to be sent to the Secretary. of the Leugue when 3 contract 13 made with a player, and the- oubstance of the oblection sugzested Is as follows: ‘*A notice to the Sectetary might be mailed-and Jost in trasmission, and any one. of many circumstances might occur breventing thé notice being signed at ouce." ‘Ihisclause 18 substantinfliy a rule of the Lesgue, that has been found. most useful and eflective, e Secretary g notice (provided for in parigraph 6) immedintely finds its: way -into the press, and shonld the notice from the club to the Secretary be lost in transmission that fact wonld thms be quickly discovered and the accident reme- died. Towever, proof of the vriginal transmission ix proof of the contract in the meaning of the rule, and thus the rights of the parties, which are cor reetly ftated in the criticlsm, are wnof- fected by the accident, and T cannot conceive how :*any one of mauy circumstances might occur pre— venting the notice being signcd at once,” as the notice s invagiably sizned at he same time with the contract, being made a part of the evidence of ite execution, Now that my *‘scheme” bas been fully and fairly presented, T trust that all its features will mcet with the fallest possible discussion and eriti- cism, to the end that it may retain no objection- able featnres, and be made a3 effective as possible, The management of ope of thie Jeading clubs that is about to enter into the **League alliance™ has sugrested an objection 1o the date prescribed for the agreement 10 take eficct, and it has accordingly been 0 amended as to take effect on the club sign- fnglt, on the date of such eigmatute. et me say, in_conclnsion, that 1 do mot choose to consider Mir. Waite the originator or inventor of the vague scheme:and mass of sugzestions which vou are pleased 10 call the Internationals, T mow of no reason why he is better authorized by acquaintance with players or mauagers, or famil. farity with the zame, to speak for the ball-players of the country than' even myself. Very respect- fully, ' A G. SPALDIN The main fault to be found with this letter is that it cver was written at all. The original letter of Spalding was not in the least degree affected by the attempt made on it by Waite's critidsm.” No ball mansger in the country could bave read both and beea deceived by the insinuations of the St. Louis man. The plan itself was a sufticlent answer. The danger is that the manazers will be led to place a false estimate on Waite's dictum, because Spalding condescends to argue with him. He is a clerk ina Government office, and writes ball letters to pass away his time. He probably pays his biils and lives a cleanly life, but ueither of these things entitle him to a column of reply. Let it once be known that Spalding will undertake to demolish every aspiring club in the country, and bis arm will ache worse from thoustof the pen than it ever did aftor a game of ball. Beuides, he fights up hill; he is handi capped by a charaster; he can't afford to lie about Waite as Waite can, and %as, about him. The offer which the League made by its legisla- ton at Cleveland, supplemented by Spalaing’s practical aud particular form of contract be- tween non-League clubs, has convimced all fair- minded people that it is what is ‘vanted, and within one mouth it will receive the signatures of all the best clubs outside the League. It is well known that Indianapolis approves it, Mil- waulkee likes it, and the Stars.of Syracuse, who bave been reckoned the head of the ooposition, ?;:e qf;mred lcs. The rmllowing hextmuu from Syracuse Courier w show ho stand in the matter: ik Btare The advantages of thus uniting with seem 10 us obtlous, and though e eerser ot Tog Leazne have sought to impugn the motives which prompted that orzanization to take this step, we can slew it in nothing buta favorable light” 1o AT v LY ole light. _ Tho Wi ERnz 5l 1he tame and ifs votaties, Haro- tofore the Leazme and non-League clubs have played a sortof **cut-throat ™ gume between thom- “eclies, in the enmngement of players. Every de- sirable player who freads the diamond has been echooled in the ontside nincs, and to-day.these ciubs are training the men who'sre to be the Hiarry Vyrights and Spaldings of comingseasons. Under the existing state of things it is an_ easy matter for the League to tempt the cream of the tulent in the non-Lesgue fraternity to cnlist in their service. Young men arc ambitions and oftentimes will nlay for Jeas money ina Leagne nine, merely for the fame which attaches. ~This i natural. Tne propo- sition now made by the League obviates thie, and puta 2 premium on honesty besides. 1t would then be jmpoxsible for 3 man to make a breach of contract and reap good by it. These, of course, would be the chief advantages to be derived from sucha fueion of forces. Then, besides, it estab- lishes one cod of plasing rules ad 3 court for the adjudication of all disputce. This is a brief re- view of the good that mast necesearily come if this arranzement obtains, and we do not Licsitate to be- stow upon it onr indorsement. On the other hand, the InternationaljAssooia< tion, which meets nt Pitishurg, Pn.. on Feb. 2 proposes to form a rival orzanization, adopt rules and a constitution loking To its government and protection. Now, as the Leagne is the recognized base-ball power of the country, they would not entertain respect for its rules, and would at every desirable opportunity cull the best of 18 players from its membership, <nd deplete its ranks by of- fering +*fancy ¥ salarics, If in no other way. We think'the intcrest of the game, for which we, in common with all. others of its advocatee, feel a decp regard, would be best served, and its popu- larity best perpetuated, by the general recognition of the Leamie. This wo understand fo be the opinion of the managerient of the Stars, which, we note, has been unwarrantably classed among the clobs which owe alicgiance to the International concern. We are inforuied. too. that the Pitisburg Convention will incorporatc u provision in its con- stitation prohibiting =ll clubs signing Its articles from playing games with the Leagne clubs, thus depriving - both of 8 valuable sotrce of revenne, This would be an outrage on every commanity that supported a ball clnb, 3 e are anthorized to.say this much in regard to The consideration of the projected plan Dby the Toard of Directors of the Star UBasc-Hall Aese tion. There seews to exist in Jocal basc-ball cir- clesa gencral sentiment in its favor, and we be- lieve 2 committec bas been appointed by the Star Board of Directors to consider tue project. SOME REMINISCENCES. It i5 not at all impossible for the ball-players of the country tolearn wisdom from example, and perhaps sorc of the old heads may remem- ber the scueme of 1867 (or 1858, the writer isn’t uite certain which), when a man in Rockford, (J1., made himself into a Convention. Hewrote il over the State, asking proxies to_attend the Amnual Convention of that year. Cf course he received them,—some 200 or’so in all,—and with them a dollar from each club to defray expenses. Armed with the documents (and the dollars), the manifold delegate (whose name scems to have been Grizgs or Briggs) made his way East, _until at Cleve- land he joined forces with & man who had been playing the proxy game in Ohio, and who had proxies malore. . The'two formed an alliance, ana proceeded onward to the place of meeting, where they found, say, thirty to fifty delegates. On conuting noses it was found that about 400 clubs_werc represented, and thst Rockford and jority of all present in Cleyeland had a clear ma their brecches pocke! The rest of the crowd 1might talk, but they voted. Well, to shorten ihe story, Griggs, or whatcver lis nome may ave boen, mude the man from Cleveland Presi- dent of tne Association, and portioned out the other oflices as far as they would go, reserving to bimself the trifling advantage of printing the book of rules. That was the: milk in the nut, and out of his shrewd operation Griegs is snid _to Lave netted apretty sum. Canit be that Waite is trying the proxy @amel or that be intends to turn u at Pittsburg with a [bnn'dlc of votes from whit make an assouiation! P 1 e down to more modern times, it may be reasonable for the clubs who have thought of Jjoining the ¢ Waite .Leaguc " to think over the Tesult of Jast year’s Chadiickian policy. Itwill not- be dithicult for tnem to’remember how beautifully the - *Professional Associa- tion™ weut ahead,—on paper,—aud how it _held o mectine ab New Haven, and another meeting at Phila- delphin, and how it made_constitutions aud Tules, and had all sorts of fu1 and prosperity 5 lowz as there was frost in the round. But, entlcmen, it never played agame of ball, or ovinced the slightest sign of life thereafter. Yet it bad an - organization to rally around, while the new movement bas only Waite. LOUISVILLE ¥3. CINCINSATT. The Gourier~Journal says the Louisville Club menagement is * pursiing a wise and caméaus olirss in their negotiations to il the at-present upoccupied positions in the Louisviile nine for’ Ihave eait in regard | nd sdvices to_announce the engagement of Shaffer as a flelder. The same paper also says that Fulmer is very anxious to play in Louisville again this season, but intlmates that be has too much chin to suit, and that this difficulty must be settied before he can hope to be acceptable. . Tt seems that Devlin has quit writing Jetters, —or, rather, permitting other people to write letters for him to sign,—snd hos come down to hardpay, and will play with power, and receive his pay with thankfalness. It is properio S*;;Y of ¥r. Devito now, and in the shape of 4 propli- ecy, that he will not prove as_effective the com- in year as he was in 1876, His delivery will be terribly hendled in many a game berfore the end of phs season.. . Luct year the struggle between Loulsille and Cincintati was one ot the events of the sesson— albeit, it Was quite one-sided. For 1877 there is. amuch betler condition of things, and more 4venness. Hicks will show & better record than Siyder, mainlybecavso he hasan easier delivery 10 “ace; Mathcws shonld be a fair match for Devis, with no odds answhere;. Gerhards is a better laseman than Halliban, but not so good a batter; Voley is. clearly 3 better man than Hague at- third, and these are about all the Jositions 6l by both cubs. I Mr. Keck or manager. can keep his Mutual graduates in good form, he will stand at least an even chance with Chapman’s nine. May the best men win. GENERAL NOTECS. The old members of the New Orleans Lone Star and R. E. Lee Clubs bave organized them- selves into the New Orleans Red Stoclkdngs. The statement is ‘boldly made that Walker will not umpire auy games during the cotning scason, There is overy reason why he should Temaiu in private ltfe. The Indfanapolis nine announce that they will make 2 trip to the Sonth in March. This ought tobeagood idea, inasmuch as the people of New Orieans have not been visited by a strong nine since the White Steckings called on them n.1870. : The Clipper does ftsclf the honor to publish the playinr rules of the League, although the same are fully covered by copyright, und Spald- ing & Bro. have the exclusive right to publish them. There is an clegant chance to test the merit of the copyright-jaw. The announcement that Dickey Pearce of the St. Louis Club bad sued that organization for pay, is explained by sayiug that hiscontract con- ned a clause to the efect that he should have $300 extra if he acted as Captain. He did act as Captain for one game, and therefore claims ‘his $300. Col. Fitzgeraid, of the Philadelphia Jtem, has an arin long enouizh to pat himself on the back. at the same time that he strokes Chadwick the right way.of the fur. Listen: “No maun—not- even Col. Fitzgerald—has done more to promote the hougr, the welfare, the progress of players than he " '|Mr. Chadwick]. 'The above, written by Fitzgerald, may be considered a marvel of constructive egotism. The League-Book of rules and fléures, ‘which was issucd last week by A. G. Spalding & Bro., of this city, Is having already a consid- erable sale, which will of course be increased as. the season begins to open. The book is much better preparcd than last year, from the print- er’s point of view, and will prove a valuable publication from which to figure concerning the relative ability of men. Its tables of averuges are, of course, made up from the Secrctary’s records, and arc therefore somewhat differént from those published by Toe TRIBUNE at the close of lust scasons Their differences are so small, however, as to make a change in the standing of only a very few piayers. One of the curious and apparently uncalled- for lies which' the anti-Leasue folks have de- scended to is, that the League at its last meet- ing passed a resolution to play no outside clubs uoul after the championship™ series were fin- ished. ' Of course, this is an absolute and un- quallfied lie, put_in circulation for the purpose of getting some clubs into the anti-League who kuow no more thun to' believe it. The only legislation which had cven a suggestion of the action claimed was where the Leagae allowed any two of its members to play on the grounds of 3 third after the season between the occu- pants‘ of the ground and the other clubs was over. Of coursc, the only similarity is in the date ot which the provision takeseflect. The effect of the idea will, however, be lost when n&a League Book comes to hand and is examin- ed. cason’;, also that two Fastern players of | hsg been thrown down and taken up: 2‘,’,‘2;;;3“& ‘being vegotisted for. The VAUt | Tenpe flacyz, Ind., Jan. 20.—7o Mesrs. G. P tions in the uine are first-base, short-stop, | Riplev & Co,, Proprieiors Terré Haute House—Gexts: positions 1n thCent field, Latham seems o | If Mr. 5. M Eartey will comply with ino following el O T lered for frst-batoman, | 114 Y tho esmsgeic el beveen e, Rons of 1 - be later than the article referred | ear, nthe amlu:v!m{o! the Terre Haute House, one The Philadelphia Afercury has the following: TuE Citicat0 TRIBUNE says that we cannot namo one man in the Leaguc who is *‘crooked.” We beg to differ with our amiable fricnd and will go onc better, and name, if ke wishes it, fico players s who foid a zame with the Pailade Chicago, on the 25th of September, 187 100 7.t =0 doingz. T Trisuxtof Dec. , 1875, says of ono of the players, whom the Athletics refused to engage, but who 'is still with the Chicagos: ~ *There were good reasons for not | ca.o publication, devoted exclusively to - tROSE RS o JoCBHangdudya-Hilkt- |, feTMTy YRS, 78 notorions T_B<huny ness.” Vlunders that'a 3-year-old child would be of. The Spirit of the Tomes makes nothi ‘Tue TRIBUNE repeats that Al Wright cannot name a single playerin the League who has been guilty of crookedness, and he knows he cannot, and therefore sueaks around and does not dare to name a player. The passage which is quoted from THE TRIBONE Was not written to impute dishonesty to the player whom it men- tioned. Again is Mr. Wright requested to come out from behind his cover 2nd give one name to the public if be can. The Fairbanks Club, of this city, who propose 1o be among the first clubs of the West, and will try to be first, have entered vizorously into training for the coming sczson, and will put on the fleld as stronga nine as about any club in their way. Last weck their nine was given in these .columns, but since that time the management have en- ged two other men, viz.. Frask Baundel and “harles S. Dennis. The former is a graduate of tlic Brady’s, of this city, and_bas also served in Jackson, Mich. Some play of Lis at third base which came under the writer’s eye leads to the betief that he is one of the _best unateurs in the country at that point. Deunis is sn active ficlderand a hard hitter, and the behavior af both men will qualify them for their Club. Gillen, the pitcher of the Club, basbeen allowed to engage bis eervices elsewhere for reasons which form no part of this record. The delivery to the bat for the coming year will be made by Brown anu Bracken. The former is one of the best amateur pitchers in the West. The Eastern papers have of late fallen into a snecics of hyperbole which is curious to see, and quite instructive to read and trauslate into En- glish. For instance, a late copy of the Brook- 1yn Eagle has the following paragraph: Mr. A. G. Mills war in Brooklyn on the 1ith inst., and lLe had o lengthy interview with the base-ball editor of a_New York paper on. the subject of the Leapue and its work, auring which be et in guitc a flood of lizht on the matter, and removed fome of tha preconceived notions the in- dividnal had had on the League’s action. Thore- suit bas been a chanze of views in regard to the League, and no doubt the support of that institu- tion'in future will follow. First, it should be understood that the “base- ball editor is Chadwick, and the * New York paper ” the Clipper. Rememberive, then, that Cuadwick is some sort ofa reporter on the paper in which the item_appeared, and it is not difficult to translate the above into plain En- glish, as follows: I found ont a while azo that T was making a good deal of an 848 of m{ecir by opposing the League, and 1am mizhty glad that this visit gives me an exense to change front agai; GASTRONOMY. B WITIL REFERENCE TO QUAIL. The question of whether it is an easy matter to eat thirty quail in thirty days. is forming the subject of many wegers just mow. The St. Louis Republican publishes the following chal- lenge: Saur Spmixes, Saline Co., Mo., Jsn. 23.—I noticed an articlo in your paperof the 18th inst., about a Mr. Hackett who is eating, or is golng 1o cut, thirty quails in thirty days, at Scdalia. Itap- ‘pears that he, and every one elge, think this some- thing wonderfal to do. T will bet $500 agminst 500, with any man in the State of Missouri, or. out of it, that I can got a boy 15 years old that can eat two quails a day for thirty days. Who says he can’t? # J. Eqas. ‘The contestof stomach against quail promises to become aspopular as Greco-Roman wrestling, as {s illustrated by the following from the Terre Haute Gazette: The ability of a personto_cat _thirty quails in thirty consceatize days Ls lonz been a problem in Fastronomy which has divided epicurcs. Some have insisted that it was impossible. Continuons diet onone article of food they have insisted was in violation of'nll the rales aid down by coicures, and was, therefore, impossible of performance. The quall, they have asscried, wasa game-bird, deli- clous as a'rarity, but palling on the appetite with continuous consumption. Others, who have but seldom had an opportunity of masticating this bird, and who_in their own ex- perience have never fajled to consume all they could Ja thei: tecth on, have scouted the {dea of thelr inability 1o cateven thirty times thirty. This Class have rozarded the phrasc **quall oo toast as the most Inscious desienation” of & feast, and hase been known to say in answer 19 the question what they wonld do if they were “*bizer than old Grant,” that they would ¢t quail three times a ny. "Wt we digress, The varions phases of this im- portant question: have: been, {t_seems, azitating epicurean circles in Terre Houte. The following Iegal document explains itself, and sbowa that the w0 Oppoite theories uave at ast come in conflict. The quail, as a challenge for gastronomic battle, 1t bject to his onder, every morn- quatl. to be cooked sub GENE M. Clcy:.rrs. Ly Y 1 faf1 to comply with the above In- every reapect, T ‘and sectlo all damages ‘willloac the wager a W. M. EarLey. It may be perhaps: of intercst tofknow that the party hoCie th nudertake thia grent feat Is in Superb physical condition. His pulie is regular, his ese bright, lus masticators sound, and his digeative organs in healthy activity, He is con- sident of an casy victory. In view of the wide in- terext this contest is likely to excite, it is possible that from and after the Arst of next week special trainy will run on all the roads, hringing scientists and other ingajsitive people. The contest wili be uader the supervision of the local sientitic society. THE TURF, PETER JOENSON, THE FORMER DRIVER OF BO- DINE, swell known for his skill aud goo¢ repute as a trainer, bas secured the somewlat remarkable gelding Neome, or Naomi, for rext year, It will be remembered that this is the horse who run away at Dexter Park last yar, and, after traveling around tne track a couple of times, was put @to another sulkey and won & handy theat in 2:27. He is evidently very speedy, and it lacks only a race or two to show whether he i< also a laster. He ought, under Peter’s care, © show about 323 or 23 this year. He isby Fostboy, and7 years old—evidently 2 promisiny and “com- ing” trotter. e will take hisprdiminary work on Dexter Park. ~ NOTES. \ The fast gelding White Stockings, who comes in for a regular paragraph, seemsto have been soid again, this time to Thores P. Wallace, brewer of New York. b Last Tuesday S. W. Wheclock ssld his stallion Rock River for $1,000 to James Magee, of ‘Tis- Kkilwa, Bureau County. Rock River is a prom- ising young horse sired by Victor Hugo, he by Green’s Bushaw. The_well-known trottine stalion and sire, Green’s Bashaw, was recently sold to George A. Young, of Leland, Il for $2,000. Bashaw is 22 years old, aud his progeny iscludes suchgood onés as Bashaw, Jr., and Kirkwood. Prospects are that more horsea will be work- ed on Dexter Park_this year than ever beforc, 1t is expected that Doble will stop here on his return from California and get into shape for the big circuit, With perhaps an incursion over into Michigan for o *‘ breather.” In aTetter to Mr. H. C. Goodrich, received a few days ago, Budd Doble stated that Bodine was getting into form much more rupidly than was anticipated. Budd is_drivine the horse wwith an oveahicad check, and says that since its use the horse has entirely absudoned his habit of pulling, which formerly made him a hard horse to condition. IN GENERAL. THE SPORTING PRESS REVIEWED, ‘The Chicago Post, which has more and better sporting news than any other afternoon paper, except perbaps its Hartford namesake, grows turious over the systematic thievery of the weekly papers, and eases its mind thus: For unparalleled cheek and phenomenal egotism the American sporting papershave long beennoted, both at heme and abroad. These fournals, because they devote their entiro cfforis to sporting matters, cet up. in effect. that their editors and writers are the only persons in this somewhat extensive and flourishing country competent to write even the simplest paragraph coucerning manly sports, be they of the field or house. For many’ years these publications enjoyed a practical moropoly in their particular feld of journuiism, and their utterances on all snbjects were regarded with reverential awe by the Jarge class interested in sporting matters, 1t was this etate of affairs that made the editors as. sume the airs of astall-fed ox al a country fair; and now that things have changed they cannot realize it, and accustom themsclves to the altered conditfon of affuire. As in the daya when newspa- pers werc a rarity, and the daily press gave liitle or no heod to sporting events, thesc one-time oracles continue to pour forth owl-like wisdom in scutences more remarkable for walignancy than _truth. Especiully is this tme of the New York sporting journnls, althonzh their Weut- ern rival, with cxceeding bad taste, are rapidly acquiring the habit. The sight of a cazefally-pre- pared column of sporting news ina daily puper ex- cites them a3 a red flug does 3 bull, and their paw- ing and bellowing is not much inferior to that_of the homed animal when roused to anger. The New. York Clipper, for instance, cannot allow an article on base-ball matters to be published in Tuk TRIBUNE, of this city, without attacking the writer in o most virulent and ungentiemanly manner, the only effect being to show that the Clipper is mad because 8 dally paper is beating it on its own ground. Tho rrield. of this city. hay also attempi- ed this mud-throwing dodge, but nubody lias been bespattered suiclently 1o talk back. An?;he; Chi- ¢ ho; of cribbing a balf-column cxpose of a_trotting awin- dic from the Post, and publishing it as *‘special correspondernce, "' while the other Eastern papers procure most of their malter by a vigorous exercise of the shears, BILLIARD NOTES. Schafler, the wan of many names, has tarned up in New York. Sexton and Slosson are still in the South play- ing exhibition games in all cities large enough to make it pay. Parker and Hoa are still disagreed as to who is the best cushion-carom pluyer, and they are to have another tilt this week. Philadelphia players are astounded at the oy of o soung man who is deseribed as ta rofessional ball-player from thé West.” Since t cannot be Anson or McVey, it must be Battin. The Clipper speaks of Abe Bussford as having “also turned fnger-player.” Abe is said by hig Intimate ricnds to be about 4100 years old, and hohas certainly been one [ the best finger- players in the country for about half of that time. The only billiard news of the West is that the championship medal stolen by Shaw has turned up in a pawnbroker’s handsin New York, and the holder wants $100 to give itup. Hewill not get that sum, for the simple reason that the Congress can get an emblem which will answer every purpose for less money. The young man Shaw, who stole and pawned the medal, was at last advices in Texas. He should by all means stay there—Dhe would make a noble bull-pusher. ATHLETIC. Mr, J. Marion Polfock has issued the follow- {ng lLf cular to amateur athletes. It will explain tself: Having obtained the useof the .\Ic{ml’ln“lan Rid- ing Academy, American Institute Building, Third avenue, Sixty-third and Sixty-fourth strects, and Second avenue, for Thursday. March 1, I will give an open amateur athletic meeting, = The pro- gramme will b: as follows: Seventy-five yards' run, one mile walk, throwing the bammer, quarter- mile run, putting the shot, three mile walk, run- ning high jump, one mile Tun, 120 vards hurdle race, half ‘mile run, and running broad jump. The prizes will be a gold medal to fhe winner of cach event and a silver medal to the sccond. Entrance fee $2 for each cvent, which will be returned to all those who go over the full coarse, The trackis one-cighth of amile and_undoubtedly the finest one under cover in America. No competitor will beellowed to enter undera false name, and the right to refaso any entry is reserved. Eutries will e received np to Feo. 22. The entrance fee must accompany the entry. The uniform must consist of undershirt and tranks or drawers to the knees. Members of athletic ond rowing clubs will be re- uircd to furnish a certificate of membership, and that the person entering is an amateur. Any per- son not 3 member of any recognized club mnst be properly introduced by some well-known person who canl vouch for his being an amatenr. An ama- tenr is ouy person who has never competed in an open competition for a stake, or for admission mioner, or with professionals for a prize, nor has ever at any period of his life taught or assisted in the pursuit of athletic excrcises as a means of live- libood. All entries shonld be addressed to J. BanioN PoLLOCK, 235 Enst Twenty-fourth street, New York. PEDESTRLANISI. Von Hillern, the young woman who clalms to be a walker, is again receiving the. pralse of the Boston papers in_an_upstinted manoer hecause she walked 83 miles in 23 bours 47 mioutes. John Oddy, the pedestrian, has turned up at Omaha, where he is_attempting to walk 110 miles fn 24 hours. It wouldn’t be ansthing very wonderfal if he should succced, s 120 miles have been covesed in that time. When Oddy matches himself to walk a match against one Leis, of Chicuzo, and_advertises that the latter is the “Champion 50-mile walker of America,” he descends into the bippodrome business. No such man as Lewis.is known as 3 ‘pedestrian in this city. TRAISHOOTING. It appears from the San Francisco Chronicle that the guarrel which broke up the last match between ?iognmus and Robinson grew out of the claim that the latter raised his gun above his elbow before the birds were on the wing. The referee decided that such was the case aod ave both birds lost, whercupon Robinson with- gmr and refused to compiete the match. o WRESTLING, . Horace A. Brink, who won a good match with Becker a short time 20, desires to challenge any man in Ilinois for a collar-and-elbow match for a stake of. $200 to $1,000. Mr. Brink adds that he would prefer anacceptance from Patrick Bau- nan. The challenger is certainly a good man and will furnish plenty of sport to any man ac- cepting. “Insnlts,” says a modern philosapher, “are. like counterfeit moneg., We caonot. hinder their. l(;lnz ’?fln:red; ‘but we are not compelled to take’ om. PUBLIC HALLS. Report of Mr. Cleaveland, B: Inspector. ding Examination of Farwell and Me- Cormick Hall, the Coliseum, ¥ Toledo, Etc. Recommendations Made in Regard to Additional Stairways, Ete, The following is a copy of a report made by the Superintendent of Buildings to the Mayor about the public halls of this city, those halls laving been recently inspected by Mr. Cleave- land and his assistant, Mr. Willett: A public hall differs from a theatre principal- ly in the absence of stage scenery and appoint~ ments. The general remarks made in my re- port on thentres will, for the most part, apply to public halls. The general defect of the Jarge public halls is their location on the upper floors of buldings. This is decidedly unadvisable, but where they are so located they should at least be provided with numerous stairways, and all be kept distinctand separate from each other. The drawings of the halls will more fully describe themn than my words can do. 3'CORMICK HALL. This hall fs situated on the northeast corner of North Clark and Kinzie streets. It has o main floor and oue gallery. The main floor of the halt is on the third story of the building, the first story being occupied by stores, and thesec- ond by offices, The hall §s detached on three of its sides, having North Clark street on its front, Kinzie strect on the south, and an alley on the porth side. The rear adjoins another building. There is a stalrway on each side of the main floor of the hall nesr the front,—that i3, near the northwest and southwest, corner of the hall,—cach stafrway be- ing five feet nine inches wide, and also one stair- way in the rear at the southeast corner of the hall, all of which Jead into a large central hall in thesccond storyof the building. From this hall fu the sccond'story there are two stairwvays to streets, one in front seven feet cight inches wide to Clark street, and one in the rear nine feet sixinches wide to Kinzie street. There is also a stairway four feet wide in the northeast cormerof the building. This stairway runs down and opens out’ on the alley on the morth side of the bullding. It does not communicate directly with the central hall on the second story. There arc three stoirways from the gallery, two in the frout near the northwest and southwest corners of the Liall, cach of these being four feet four inches wide, and another ncar the soutlieast corner four feet nine inches wide, all running into the main floor of the hatl,—that is, people coming down them must pass into the main floor of the auditorium in order to get out of the buildiug. There is also 4 stairway on the northeast corner three feet six inches wide: this docs not open into. the main floor of the auditorium, but communicates with the stairs from the main floor before spoken of in the same corner of the building. Thercisa stand- pipe on the side alley an the northeast corner of thebuilding. There are three fire-cxtinguish- ers in the building, This hall will seat over 4,000 people, and is heated by steam. THE \DEFECTS of this hall are as follows: First, the main floor is high above the ground, being on the third story of the building; second, three of the stairways do not run directly, separately, and indepcndently to the ground. Any fire occur- ring in the ccntral bail or in the offices adjoin. ing in the secoud story might fill that central bafl with_smoke, if ot with flame, and block all the three stairways: besides the different streams of people iustead of being kept apart and led in the shortest and most direct way out of the bullding arc all thrown; together, the stairs iu the southeast corner, although wide oues, being made as tortuous and confusing as possible. - Tho stairs in the northeast corner of thy: building are inclosed in brick wallg, and are by far the best designed and arranged of all the stairways, but they are the smallest of all, being only four feet wide, which is too narrow, besides they are littered up, and appear not to vereroum 1or odds and “énds. The stairway Frte cast comner should be arranged in similar manner to that in the northeast corner £o that people could get to the street without going into tho central hall in the sec- ond story, although it might communicate with the hall by a doorway with a door in it opening both ways. ‘Uhat portion of the stairway from the gllery should not lead into the mam floor of the hall. This stalrway is a wide one, and should not be altersd so as to maie it Iess than 8 feet wide. Each of the front stairways, that is those near the front end of the building, should be made at least 6 feet wide, and carried down directly, sébarately, and independently to the strect. If this is not deemed practicable nor proper, then the Clark street stairs should be made at Jeast 12 feet wide in the clear from the second floor to, the street. If the above alterations are made the stairs in_the northeast corner, though too narrow, might answer, but it would be much better if they were widencd to at least 6 feet. The general recommendations about lamps or candles, fire-extinzuishing apoaratus, ete., made in my report on theatres, are applicable here. FARWELL HALL. This building is situated on Arcade court. ‘The first story is about twelve fect above the grade, and is divided into several smaller halls, which open out on some of the three alleys or courts which are on two sides and the rear of the building. These rooms are safe, and call for no special remark. The main floor of. the large hall is ‘on the second story of the build- ing. The entrance is by means of a hallway §cont ining stairs its full width), which is eight cet, two inches wide in its narrowest part. This Latlway leads into the main hall near the north- west corner. There is a stairway at the south- west corner, ten fect wide from the main floor to the ground, and opening on Arcade court. There is a stairway on the south- east vorner, six feet five inches wide, from the main floor fo the ground, and opening on Arcade court... There is one gallery above the main floor. The following are the outlets from. the llery opening mto the main floor: A stairway fi:e feet ten inches wide in the northwest cor- ner; a stuirway six feet ninc inches wide in the southwest cornef over the stairs to the ground in the same corner; two stairways, one on each side of the gallery, each two feet six inches wide, runging down to the stage or platform near the northeast and southenst corners of the puildi ‘There is no fire-extineuishing appar- atus visible. The main tloor will seat 1,028 per- sons, and the gallery will seat 736 persons. The Dall Is heated by steam. THE FOLLOWING ALTERATIONS should be made: There should be an exit made {rom the gallery near the northiwest: corner of the building, with 2 door not less than 5 fect wide opening into the third-story hallway of the front part of the building. Theére should be stajrway i the northeast corner of the building from the ground up not Jess thau seven feet wide, and opening on the alley. The stairway should be continuied up to the zallery five fect wide, and 50 should the stairway in the south- east corner.- If these stairs aré not_continued up, then the two stairs now existing’ from the gallery to the platform shonld be made five fect wide and the winding steps omitted. The gen- cral recommendatsons about lataps or candles, fire- extinguishing apparatus, etc., made in my report on theatres, are applicable to thisjand to alf other public hails. J THE HERSHET MUSIC-HALL. This hall is in the rear of Nos. 83 1o 87 Madi- son street. The main floor is on the second story of the buflding. There is 2 gallery across the east end, with a_stairway to the maln floor. ‘I'here is an alley alonz the north side and an inclosed court on the south side of the building. The entrance is from the second story of Crys- tal Block by a hallway nine feet wide, but the one stairway in the Crystal Block from the sec- ond story to Madison street is but five feet six inches wide. Thers is a stairway in the: north- west corner of the hail, four feet wide, leading to the alley. The hall is heated by furnaces. There is no fire-extinguishing apparatus visible. Another stairway at least four fect wide to the alley from the northeast corner of tne hallis desirable, though not essential. THE COLISEDM. This hall is situated io_the rear of No, 87 Clark stroet, and is reached by an entrance-hall (leading from Clark strect) twelve fect wide in the clear between the wali on one‘side and cigar and bar counters on the other. This hali- way opens.mto the hall near the northwest eorner of the same. The door from the en- trance-hall into the main floor is six feet wide. There are two doors, each three feet wide, lead- inginto.the alley which runs along the north side of the hall. There are ‘two inclosed courts, one on the southeast ana one on the southwest corner of the building. This hail should probably be classed® 25 a thestre, a3 it "’ contains. a _stage, scenery, etc. It has a“stage-entrance from the side alley. - The main floor will-accommodate 1 1,200 persons. There s above the main floor one gallery, which will accommoaate 300 per- sous. There is but one door out of the sullery. This door is three feet wide, and opens into the hallway (six feet wide) of the second story of the front building, No. 87 Clark street. The doorway into the main Hoor from the main en- trance-way should be made at least nine feet wide. Each of the doorways into the side alley should be made at least four feet wide. stairway should be placed in each of the in- «losed courts, so that people could escape that Wway in case of fire near the northside of the . The door from the gallervinto the second story hallway should be made at least five feet six inches wide, There should be stairways put inat each end of the gallery, mear the stage, leading to the main floor, each stairway to not less than four feet wide. The general rec- omumendations made in my report on theatres should be carried out. THE TOLEDO. Tth hall is situated in the rear of the build- ings Nos. 135 to 141 Madison street. I main floor is un the first story, about ten feet abcve' the grade of the street. There is an alley on the north side, snd an incloscd court on the south side of the bullding. The cnds of the ball abut on adjoining _buildings. ~ The cntrance is through a hallway or cigur store, from Madison street. This hall- or cigar store is 100 feet long wa n.mf seventeen feet wide, with stairs at the end leading into the hall. Thereis a stairway (into the alley) four feet wide in the northeast corner of the hall, and opens through a doorway four feet wide into the alley. This servesasa stage entrance. Thereis a gullery across the west end of the hall, having a stairway four feet six inches wide, leading to the main floor near the- southwest corner of the ball. The main floor would geat S00,and the .zallery 200 persons. There is no firc-extinguishing apparatus. The hall is heated by stoves. This ball partakes of the nature of e theatre, having a swmall stage, movable scenery, cte. There should be.a stair- way and exit, not less than five feet wide, from vear the northwest corner of the hall to the alley, and should be scparate and distinct from the'stage entrance. WEST-SIDE TURSER-HALL. - This hall is situated on West Twelfth street, near Halsted street. It is a frame: building, with Tweltth street in front, a public alley in the rear, and vocant property on each side. The basement fs oceupied as & gymnssium, kitchen, and cellar. The first story is occupied by bar, billiard, meeting-rooms, gymnasium, and some smaller rooms. The main floor of the hall is on the second atofiol the building, and will seat 800 persous. ere s a gallery running on each side and acrose the fropt cnd of the hall, which will seat 300 persons. Therc arc two stairways, each threc feet wide, on the southeast and southwest corners, opening into the same stoirway-ball on the. main flgor. There are two stuirways, each six feet wide, leading from the main floor, but these ‘two unite and form but one ejght tect nine inches wide through which all people coming from the auditorium must pass to gect either into or out of the hall. There is a stair- way from the stage to the gomnasium in the basement with a_door opening on the main floor. 'The hall is heated by furnaces in the basement. ~There is no fite-extinzuishing ap- ‘paratus visible. There is astage with flies, drop- curtains, scenery, cte. There should be a stair- way on cach side of the main floor nearthestage leading down to the ground und out of tbe building, each ‘stairway to be not less than five feet wide. There should also be stairways. leading from the gullery at the same place. HALSTED STREET OPERA-HOUSE. This is a frame building, and is situated on the nortiiwest_corner of Halsted and Harrison streets. The first story is cccupfed with stores. ‘The.main floor of the hall is on the sccond story of the building. There is a gallery across the eastern epd. The hall will scat 900 persons. ‘There is but one cntrance and exit to the hall, and that is by means of a stairway six _feet ten inches wide, in the northesst cornerof thebuild~ ing leading to Halsted street. The gallery stairs Jead to this one eutrance, There i3 a staze in the western part of the hall, with movable scen- ery, 50 that it is really a theatre. There is no fire-cxtinguishing spparatus. The hall s heated by stoves. There should be a stairway not less than seven feet wide constracted fgom the main floor of the hall to Harrison street, at the sonth~ west corner of the auditorium. STANDARD HALL. This hall is situated on the southiwest corner of Michizan avenue and Thirteenth street, and has an alley in the rear. The building is used asaclub-house. The first etory is divided up into dining, card, and other rooms, The hall is on the second story of the building: There is au_entrance hallway nine feet six inches wide from Michizan avenue, and another hallway ning feet six inches wide from Thirteenth street. Both of these hallways are cntered through doorways five feet wide, These hall- ways unite before reaching the stairway lcading. to the hall on thc sccond lloor. There is oue ctafru Toet ywide 0 the hall near the west- v b et ol Pt Setes” This stairway is flty fect {rom the Thirtcenth street entrance, and eighty feet from the Michiran avenue entrance. The hall containsa stage and some scenery. It is heated by furnaces. There isno fire-extinguish- Ing appiratus visible. The Lall hsa Toom enough to scat 500 persons. There should be anotlier exit made by a stairway not less than five feet wide ncar tie eastern end of the ball. GROW’S OPERA-HOTSE. This hall is in the Bishop Court Hotel buifld- ing, No. 517 West Madison street. The first story of the building is oceupied by stores. The Liall 'occupies the second and third stories of ‘the building. The fourth story of the building is counceted with the hotel entrance and is divided into chambers. The main floor of the hall is on the second story of the building. There i3 ome gallery. Tho holl is renched by a stairway ~ eeven fect five inches wide from Madison street. From this entrance a door five feet wide opeus ints the hall. A suirwar three fees nine inclies wide leads from the main floor to the eallery. The ‘main floor hius a seating capacity for 350 people, and the gallery for here’is no fire-extin- guishing spparatus visible. There should be Two stairs placed near the rear end of the hall, one on each side, from the gallery to the main floor, There should be a stairway not less than five feet wide from the nain floor to the zrouud, or, what would be ‘better, there might be two stairways put in, each not less than three.feet wide. < NORTH-SIDE TURNER-TALL. This hall is situated on North Chark street, near Chicago avenue. It is of brick, with a stone front, and has a public alley m the rear. basement is occupied by billiard-room, mnasium, store-room, ete. The first story is oceupied by stores, main -central en- trance, and halhgay, dininz-: , and upper portion of gymnasitm. The second story is occupied in the front portion of the build- ing by. large rooms used for ~club-rooms, ctc., also Oy bar-rooms. The rear portion of the building cver the difing-room and gymnasium is occupied by the main floor of a lurge public hall, having. stage and some scenery. This hall hos one gallery. The west side of this hall is on the public alley before mentioned. The third story of the bullding in front is occupied by reading, assembly, drawing, and other roowms. _The rear_portion 18 ocoupied. by the gallery of the larze hall. The entrance to the upper stories of this building is from Clark street, and in the front portion of.the building by & stairway nine fect six inchies wide to the second story and five feet wide to tie bigher stories. here is also a . second starway in that part of the building which connects the front with the rear rtion of the building, This stairway Ecflve feet wide, and runs from the basement to the third sw?-. This stairway is, however, within twelve feet of the main stairway, s not separated therefrom by a brick wall, and does not connect With the street except throueh the hall containing the main stairway. The exit {rom the main floor of the hallis by means of two doorways, each six feet two inches wide, within six feet'of each other, into the hallway, which Ieads to both the main and secondary stairways. There is also -a doorway threo feet two inches wide within eizht fect of one of the above-men- tioned doorways, from this hallway intc a dressing-room on the main floor of the hall and under. the - gallery, which has a doorway five feet ~ wide leading into the main floor of the ball. The gallery connects with the main floor by two stairways, each three fect six inches wide, which unite to form one stairway cight reet wide before reaching the main floor. It also connects with a stairway hali in front by a doorway six feet wide. It also connects with bar-room bfia doorway five fect cight incnes wide, through which bar-room ac- cess can be had to the rooms in the front por- tion of the building. The hall has room enough 1o seat 1,200 persons. The lhall is heated by furnaces. As the buildioe is now, a_fire in the hallway counecting the front with the rear ortion of the buildinz would cut off the use of th stairways. There should be a stairway at Ieast six feet wide from the main foor and from the gallery to the ground opening into an alley on'the weat side of the building. Death by Snake-Bites In India. Chamber® Journal. TnJanuary, 1870, Dr. Fagrer addressed a let~ ter to the Secretaries or Palitical Agents of the rincipal Governments of Indfa, seliciting in- formation asto loss of life by snake-bites. Re- piies were " received coutaining .reports from many districts of these - Governments - of the number of deaths from this cause in 1389; bat from others no return _was- made, 5o that the information obtafaed was \-cn?' incomplete: In forty-eiwht districts of Bengal 6,219 deaths were reported gs having faken place; and o other parts the losses amounted to 5,197, making s -to- tal of 11,416 fatal accidents’ of thfs " kind. Bat itisto be observed tuwd fromalarge part of India the Doctor neither applied for nor re- ceived information, and that even from the Governments to which the circalar was sent the returns received were-very incomplete, the area represented by them being less than balf of the Peninsula of Hindustan; besides which there is reason to think that even in the districts from Which returns were obtained many deaths by snake-bites must bave occurred_besides those ‘which were reported, snch an accident being too ordiuary 2n event to attract much attention; and Dr. Fayrer does not hesitate to express his belief that,’if full iuformation conld be obtain- ed from therbole of Hindustan, *it would be found that more than 20,000 persons die annu- ally from snake-bite !’ CURRENT GOSSIP. SONG OF THE GOURMAND, Bring me tartle here in bowls! Bring me turbot, bring me soles! Tarkey, too, and dainty chine, lls of saasaze-meat combine; Tipay cake and Roman punch: Ot plam pudding a zood hunch; With mince pies, both brandy-sauced, Bring—the list I can't exhuust— Bring them ali'—and, when you do, Bring the nearest doctor. too! THE “BREECHES » BIBLE. 7o the Editor of The Tribune. Wrowxg, I, Jan. 24.—I learn by Tum TRIBUNE. of yesterdsy that “ Another rarity- added o the Old South Collection is a copy of the * Brecches edition of the Bible”’; und that the owner values it at $1,00 in gald. Now, I have 2 copy of the *Breeches Bible, which was imprinted oy London by Robert Barker, printer to the King’s most Excellent Maiestie. 1610.” :1t contains: The ics - Recorded In The Sacred Scripteres, dccording to eury Family . and. Tride. With the Line of our Sawiowr Jews Christ obserued from Adam to the bexced Virgin. Jlan/. 1'3;; L 75. (E‘V‘I\V Pm‘vi;nzu}o. e,y fil, 7.—*Ana 2 fewed loaues Pogether and madte thimscie prig A ® St. Johu, ., L—“IN the beginning was that ! Word, and that Word ‘was with God, and that word wos God.” 4 Rey., ix., 9.—“And they had habbergions like vato Liebbersions of yron, aud the found of their wings wus like the found of charels when many orfes runns vuto battell.” Ete, cte. I have refused $50, §100, and $200. 1 would sell now for one-fourth what the above (John Smith) values his at. Rures MocTes. AX ODD BOOKBUYER. Ope of the chief purchasers st the Menzies book sale a few weeks azo was quite a new cok lector, whose history is curious. Years ago he took it Into his head that be would teke to farm~ ing on Long Island, and set out to find a desira- ble farm. He went on a tour of inspectlon, carrying with him a shovel, with which he dug up ground and then badit analyzed. However, not finding aught to Lis taste on Long Island, Le determined to go to Rhode Islaud, and there* purchased a farm for $20,000, on which ho ex- Ppended §20,000 mare, and tlien apparently tired of it, rented the zround for a few Hundreds a year, and with the small remnaut of his fortune went to California; there be made a lucky hit, aud not long since returned to the Fast to make the agreeable discovery that during his absence the City of Providenec had, providentially for him, been steadily advanciog toward his farm, ‘which had become jmmensely valuable. Pres- catly he sold off $50,000 worth, and then, arriv- ing at the conclusion that he 'had let it Zo too cheap, he had the rest surveyed and laid out in srcets and lots. He has now sold altogether $900,000 worth! At the Menzies sale he insiat- ed on getting many books, for which his agent told him he was paying a ridiculously large price.—Exchange. HEARTS OF FLINT. ¥ Detroit Free Press. Yesterday morning a chambermaid at one of the hotels sent word down to the office to the day-clerk that the man in room No. 825 was sick. with the small-pox and desired to go to the hos- pital. Sho was a new chambermaid, just in from the country, and there were tears of sorrow in her eyes as she wondered If the stranger had a amily. “ s:ymu-pox, eh!” mused the clerk as be turned over the register. * Fle awes us $$ ‘aud has the small-pox. I hate to do it, but I must. Tere, boy, tell big Mike to come up from the furnace.” Mike came up, received some whispered in- struations, npddsd and winked, znd in about five minutes wors the occupant of room No. 325 was. getting down thie back stairs twostepsat atime, With & big brozan pushing him faster. The guest jumped ous of the side door and r2n across tlie street, but when once safe he luoked for a free-lunch sign aud muttered: “Iowed’em 38 and got_seventeen kicks to balance account. I belicye Ieould live in this towx en a dollar per weel.” MUSIC AND PLANTS. New York Trivune. A correspondent of the English Mechanic in- sists that musical sounds stimulate the growth of plants. He gives an instance in point. Ina barren section of Portugzal he buflt a small con- gervatory, and endeavorcd to cultivate rosei and other flowers under shelter; bat, in spite of his precautions. and industry, they did not flourish. One day be took a harmoninm inte the green-house and played for several hours. This practice he maintained for several nfcnths, and was surprised to see a eradual but rapid re. covery of health on the part of his plants. He attributes. thelr improvement to the influenca of music, and unfolds the theory that the sing: fug of birds is conducivo to vegetuble life: Tt Is . a pretty theory. Let the honest gardener here- after whistle as be waters: his plants and tritg his roses. Let the pianos be moved from draw- ing-room to -greenhousc, and let the -young Iadies of the (ulnié'v practice there. Let the small farmers of Westchester Count; the organ-grinders of New York to make music in their cornfields all the glad summer long. Let the brass bands be_sent into the wilderness until {v blossoms like the rose. TURNING - OUT. Gen. Mattoon, of Amherst, Mass., formerly . Sherift of Hampton County, on starting one suowy winter many years ago to drive to North- ampton to open court, met 2 team and ehouted to the driver, “Turn out! Iam High Sheriff of the county.” The man pulled hiscoat-collar.up around his ears and replied, **I don’t care who - you are; I am in no great. hurry.” The-result was that the General had to unhitch znd lead his borse by, while the stranger went.- his way. Meeting another team before reaching Hadlcy, the Shenfl tried the same game with better sme- cess, saving, “Turn _out! [am High Sheriff of the county. If you don’t I'll serve you 2s I did a fellow I'met back herea piece.” The man un- hitched in a jiffy, put his sleigh on the bank, and Iet the Sherifl and, as e did so, called ont., there?” “Ob," said the General, * he woulda's turn out, so I turned out.” RETALIATION. Firginta (Ner.) Enterprise. Shortly after 3 o’clock, a few days 220, 3 miner from the Gould and Curry was walking towards the Consolidated Virginla hoistinz-works in Freathaste. On meeting a brether miner he sald: “Ayou! Where'll T see Lamb, the foreman of the Consolidated Virginia?? “Guess he's down the mine now. What's trouble! Look wild, you, old son.” ““Trouble{ . Troublé "nough.” “How's that " “Ive worked in the mines, you, forlas® twenty year, and pever had such a thing happ'n me afore. I hain’t swore all day! Yousee. our foreman at the Curry made an order thismornin? tlat o man in the ‘mine could swear, or he'd be sent oo top, and afore { break them rules Im goin’ to_get 'nother job. Moren that, it T ever et boes over he ['ll not let un pray for s whole month.” . A BIG CLOCK. The great tlock at the south end of the tal Palace at Sydenham is now in working der. Ttis almest a counterpart of the gre Westminster clock, with the exception of the. striking and chiming apparatus; and the aialis+ s2id to be the largest- ever constructed, forty feet in diameter, cr nearly 1,300 squars' feetinarea. The hands, with their counter- poises, weigh nearly an?wm of a ton; the .mioute-hand measures nineteen feet in length, and moves half an inch at every beat.of the pendulum. The distance traveled by the point of the minute-hand {3 pearly four miles 2 week. During seventeen days ot ol ation the varia- tlon was eight secondls oply. - AN OLD ORANGE-TREE. London Telegraoh. The death of an orange-tree -at Versailles, which was in {ts 455th year, is aonounced. . It was known by the name of Grand Bourbon. In the year 1421 the Queen of Navarre gave her gardener the seed at Pampeluna. - Its head was seventeen yards in circumfereace. rill pass, to bim, “ What did you do with that fellow back