Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-07-16
THE HALL WAS CROWDED.

ven Last Night-BicycIe Riding Or |
dered Restored to the Borough |
Roads After n Lively Discussion.
The town hall at West Haven was |
to it's utmost last evening, and
the assembly present was composed almost
entirely of merchants of the borough. The
Savin Rock cottagers were hardly repre-
sented, and apparently no one was there
to voice sentiment in opposition to the
prevailing one, namely, that the riding of
bicycles on the walks should be prohib-
tied. In fact the meeting was purely a
citizens gathering for the sole purpose
of discussing the bicycle question. One
week ago a petition signed by shore resi-
dents and others requesting the restric-
ton of wheel riding to the roads was
handed to the board of selectmen. The
same, which was to go into effect July Is.
However, as the laws made heretofore in
regard to bicycle riding had been enacted
by the citizens, the meeting held last even
ing was called in order that the
citizens might again act on
the matter and ratify the act of
the board. Precisely at o'clock Warden
E. J. Crawford called the meeting to or
der. After the purpose of the meeting
was announced motion was made that
the laws enacted in 1885 by the citizens,
regarding bicycles, be repealed. The re-
peal of these laws was necessary in order
that the succeeding motion might be
placed. Mr.. Bryant, in response to call
for remarks, explained that the statement
of the citizens of the village and shore was
of orrooaI fo o11ouinr 1iouo1a riIipp
on the sidewalks. In behalf of the board
of burgesses, he said that the board were
in no way antagonistic to the bicyclists
from other than unselfsh motives, but
that the citizens were decided in their de-
termination to no longer tolerate the care
less way in which their rights to the walks
were treated by wheelmen. In Difference
to the weak, infirm and aged as well as
women and children he declared the rid
ing of wheels on the sidewalks should be
prohibited.
Selectman Kimberly thought the remarks
little premature, as the question of repeal
only was then in order.
Lawyer Bush made few remarks upon
the urgency of immediate action, dwelling
at some length upon the wishes of the cit
liens.
The course Of the proceedings thus far
was suddenly enlivened by an animated
discussion between Lawyer Bush and Sc
lectmen Kimberly. After repeated calls
for the question Warden Crawford put the
motion Of repeal, which was carried almost
to a man.
The law repealed was substantially that
bicyclists be permitted to ride upon the
walks in the village, but upon approach
within one hundred feet of pedestrian
whistle of warning must be blown. Also
that lanterns be displayed upon wheels at
night.
At about this stage of the proceedings
the warm and crowded condition of the
rooms became so manifest that not few
breathed murmurs for adjournment,
while the majority became more urgent
for immediate action upon the business
for which they had assembled.
Lawyer Bush arose and moved that the
board Of wardens and burgesses be re-
quested to pass law prohibiting the rid
ing of bicycles and tricycles on the side
walks in the borough of West Haven.
Selectman Kimberly amended that the
rected." A gentleman present suggested
that as young boy in the village, a Grip
pie, was obliged to go about upon tricy-
Gle, action as to the latter machine should
be stricken out from the motion. The sug-
gestion was accepted and the law made to
allude only to bicycles.
The motion was carried by vote of ac-
clamation. Occasional cries of doubted"
were heard, but were 80 faint that no
notice was taken of them.
The villagers had carried their point,
and with not even the necessity of an eff
fort to overcome the hosts of bicyclists
and their friends that had declared their
intention to be present. In fact, there was
no need of the services of the police that
now and then appeared, as if awaiting an
outbreak or attempt to interfere with the
regular proceedings. At about $40 the
meeting was adjourned.
Immediately after the crowd had depart
ed, the selectmen assembled. The fol-
| lowing members of the board were pres
ent Messrs S. J. Bryant, D.. Kimberly, T.
A. Kelsey, Charles Sherman, Arthur Ben
ham, E. J. Crawford and F. Bishop It
was voted to rescind the law in regard to
bicycles, which was passed one week ago.
The following motion was offered by Mr..
Bryant, seconded and carried:
Resolved, That the riding of any bicycle by
any person upon any sidewalk within the limits
of this borough is hereby prohibited. Any per-
son violating this law shall be fined a sum not
county jail for term not exceeding thirty days,
or both. This bylaw shall go into effect upon
and after August IA, 1891.
The board also voted to give the ladies
of the Congregational church permission
to place tent on the green for the pur-
pose Of holding festival.