[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, November 4, 1892:

Stevenson Wins Presidency - Preliminary reports of balloting from across the nation indicate that Illinois Senator Adlai E. Stevenson has succeeded his mentor, Grover Cleveland to become the 21st President of the United States.

The President-elect pledged to pressure the Confederacy on the issue of continuing raids by Indians from CS territory into Nebraska and Kansas as well as requesting a referendum by the citizens of Delaware on whether to remain a part of the Confederacy or return to the United States.

...Albert Spalding, a member of the Stevenson campaign, expressed delight with the results of the election: "We finally have a man of vision in the Executive Mansion. Good times will return to our fine nation."

...on speculation that Stevenson will use his power as President to forward Spalding's stated goal of a professional base ball league, the President-elect demurred, saying: "While I wholeheartedly support the concept of a professional league to provide our citizens with some much needed leisurely diversion, it is too early for me to speculate on what role the government will have, if any, in the formation of such an enterprise."


US President Adlai E. Stevenson

from the classified transcripts of Presidential meetings, administration of A.E. Stevenson:

September 1, 1893 - meeting between Mr. A.G. Spalding (AGS) of Chicago, Mr. Benjamin F. Shibe (BFS) of Philadelphia, and President Adlai Stevenson (AES):

President Stevenson: Gentlemen, let's have the report on your latest tour of the Confederacy, if you please.

Mr. Spalding: Mr. President, the tour was a success. Except for some racist incidents in Alabama...

AES: To be expected...

AGS: Yes - those happen every time we bring Grant, White or Stovey along - but they are too good to leave home. Except for those incidents, the tour was a resounding success. I believe the Confederates will embrace base ball and it will help bring our countries together.

AES: Excellent. Mr. Shibe, your take?

Mr. Shibe: Al's description is correct, sir. The Rebs seemed to enjoy the contests, even when Al and his boys were giving them a good old-fashioned thumping on the field.

AES: Good, good. Do you think a followup tour next year would be beneficial?

BFS: I think it couldn't hurt. I managed to sell three gross of my new cork-centered balls as well as uniforms, shoes and so on.

AGS: Ben is always looking at the bottom line. Their money may be funny looking, but they're on the gold standard, so it spends just fine.

AES: Indeed. The more we can knit the old wounds that seperate us, the better the chance of reconciliation and I think that sporting endeavors will be beneficial to healing those wounds.

AGS: With all due respect, sir, the Southrons are not ready to compete with us on the field. I have, as you know, put together a very competitive group of amateur clubs - any of them would devastate a team of Confederates.

AES: Of course, but the point of this is not to play and demoralize the Confederates, but rather to find another point of commonality. We already share common forebears, a common language and history, and, generally speaking, common values. Base ball must be used to create another bond.

BFS: Absolutely. And find some new customers for our Sporting Good stores - eh, Al?

AGS: Certainly, but growing the game is my number one priority.

AES: Of course it is. I suggest we stay the course. Plan another tour for the spring of 1894, and...

AGS: Sir, when will you throw your support behind my professional league?

AES: You have my word, Al. By the end of my presidency. I have to clean up our economy first.

AGS: Thank you, sir.

AES: Gentlemen, have a good day. I'll see you after the next tour.