December 20th, 1899
Madigan Hall, Manhattan, New York
In a raucous and vivacious 1899 Winter Meetings Session, a sweeping stand against organized labor saw multiple gains for the owners in the Legacy Baseball League, with General Managers exercising their constitutional voting rights on four proposals.
This year’s Winter Meetings included the first-ever tie-breaking vote from Commissioner Andrew Madigan, in a dramatic and unexpected proposal to limit player contracts to $10,000.
The Results:
Proposition 1900-1, The Cooper Fowler Addendum
ADOPTED, 9 yea, 6 nay, 1 abstention
| Baltimore Clippers | No |
| Boston Banshees | Yes |
| Brooklyn Whales | Yes |
| Chicago Packers | No |
| Chicago Doves | Yes |
| Cleveland Athletics | No |
| Detroit Giants | Yes |
| New York Kings | Yes |
| New York Bakers | No |
| Philadelphia Brewers | No |
| Pittsburgh Oilers | Yes |
| Providence Angels | No |
| Richmond Rifles | Yes |
| Saint Louis Reds | Yes |
| Saint Louis Beavers | Yes |
| Twin Cities Empire | Abstain |
Sponsored By: Mr. Preston Kirby, Richmond Rifles
“Whereas one Mister Cooper Fowler of Richmond, Virginia, did join the Richmond Rifles baseball team and greater Legacy Baseball League, under falsified documents obscuring his American citizenship and heritage, in the Spring of 1895, The Richmond Rifles move to have Mister Fowler’s statistics and records expunged from the league record. He will receive no rights nor benefits from the Legacy Baseball League, and his name is to be forever removed from the register in Madigan House.
Furthermore, the following shall be added to the Legacy Baseball League bylaws: that all negroes are formally banned from participation in the Legacy Baseball League, either as players or in management.”
Proposition 1900-2: The Arbitration Amendment
REJECTED, 5 Yea, 11 Nay
| Baltimore Clippers | No |
| Boston Banshees | No |
| Brooklyn Whales | No |
| Chicago Packers | No |
| Chicago Doves | No |
| Cleveland Athletics | No |
| Detroit Giants | Yes |
| New York Kings | No |
| New York Bakers | Yes |
| Philadelphia Brewers | Yes |
| Pittsburgh Oilers | No |
| Providence Angels | Yes |
| Richmond Rifles | No |
| Saint Louis Reds | No |
| Saint Louis Beavers | Yes |
| Twin Cities Empire | No |
Sponsored by: Mr. Brian Algie, Philadelphia Brewers
“In response to the unprecedented increase in contract values in the Legacy Baseball League, in order that fair competition shall prosper in the League, the Philadelphia Brewers move to establish a formal and independent Arbitration Board, wherein players with six years of professional baseball service are eligible for independent salary arbitration based on average league value. Ballclubs may decline the arbitrated salary, wherein the player’s contract will be nullified, and the player free to seek employment with other ballclubs. Ballclubs may post players prior to eligibility for a 20% posting fee. After eight years of professional service, the player shall be released from their initial contract and is free to pursue offers from other ballclubs.One year of service shall equate to the number of games in a season, based on the current season (and recalculated as required).”
Proposal 1900-3: The Salary Cap Amendment
ADOPTED by Commissioner’s Vote, 8 Yea, 8 Nay
| Baltimore Clippers | Yes |
| Boston Banshees | No |
| Brooklyn Whales | Yes |
| Chicago Packers | Yes |
| Chicago Doves | Yes |
| Cleveland Athletics | No |
| Detroit Giants | No |
| New York Kings | No |
| New York Bakers | No |
| Philadelphia Brewers | No |
| Pittsburgh Oilers | Yes |
| Providence Angels | No |
| Richmond Rifles | Yes |
| Saint Louis Reds | Yes |
| Saint Louis Beavers | No |
| Twin Cities Empire | Yes |
Sponsored By: Mr. Jim Burns, Baltimore Brewers (Amendment by Mr. Preston Kirby of Richmond adopted.)
“Seeing the recent gain in popularity of league, along with the advent of outrageous salary demands of some players the Clippers propose that salary maximum for any one player be capped at $9999 per season inclusive of all potential bonus money. (Current contracts will be honored by the franchises, as they were made in good faith, and future agreements will hold to the salary cap.)
Proposal 1900-4: The Right to Work Amendment
ADOPTED, 9 Yea, 7 Nay
| Baltimore Clippers | Yes |
| Boston Banshees | Yes |
| Brooklyn Whales | No |
| Chicago Packers | No |
| Chicago Doves | Yes |
| Cleveland Athletics | Yes |
| Detroit Giants | No |
| New York Kings | Yes |
| New York Bakers | No |
| Philadelphia Brewers | No |
| Pittsburgh Oilers | Yes |
| Providence Angels | Yes |
| Richmond Rifles | No |
| Saint Louis Reds | Yes |
| Saint Louis Beavers | No |
| Twin Cities Empire | Yes |
Sponsored by: Mr. Max Ehrlich, Twin Cities Empire
“Resolved that in response to rumors of organized unions of players in Manhattan, the LBL shall strictly prohibit player involvement in anti right to work activities, and that a strict fine of 150 dollars be imposed for players found guilty of undercutting their hardworking teammates and managers through such subversive measures.”