Madigan Hall, Manhattan, NY
October 23rd, 1904
Just minutes after the election of Jacob M. Parker as Commissioner of the LBL, a petition was filed to the United States House of Representatives on behalf of several “concerned” owners and managers within the Legacy Baseball League, to include the Richmond Rifles, the New York Kings, and several administrators who chose to remain anonymous, regarding the upcoming Interleague Cup exhibition between the Philadelphia Brewers of the Legacy Baseball League and the Chattanooga Nickajacks of the Legacy Negro Baseball League.
Senator Samuel Watson of Virginia, Chair of the Committee on Appropriations, delivered a formal order to the Legacy Baseball League this morning, ordering the cancellation of the game scheduled for tomorrow at Boeslager Stadium in Philadelphia, citing “security and gambling concerns.” Senator Watson’s committee oversees federal subsidy for the Legacy Baseball League.
While Philadelphia Mayor John Weaver dismissed rumors of violence and underground gambling as “shameless pretext for political agenda,” leaders of the Klu Klux Klan in rural Pennsylvania and Virginia have taken to local newspapers with threats to picket the game in the City of Brotherly Love tomorrow.
The newly-elected Commissioner of the Legacy Baseball League told the Times that the LBL will “not be intimidated by confederate-remnant thugs and their hooded lackeys in Congress.” He called the order from Senator Watson a “shocking abuse of federal power,” vowing to pursue grievances in court.
Senator Watson threatened that the President of the United States will be petitioned to employ U.S. Marshalls if the LBL refuses to comply with the order.
However, the inaugural game between the two Legacy League champions has been officially postponed.