Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1895-09-11
BICYCLISIlS A POWER
POSSIBILITY OF THEIR CLUES BEcoM-
 ING POLITICAL CENTERS.
Politicians Believe That, as Has Been the Case With Other similar Organizations, Clubs of Cselists Will Become Impor- tant Factors En Local Politics.


 tant Factors En Local Politics.
 It is tho opinion of sage and expert enced politicians that it will not be very long before the various wheelmen's clubs, so numerous nowadays, will take an active part in politics. Such propo- sition would probably be disputed as untrue by the great majority of wheel men, who ara indifferent to political affairs and who are generally agreed that the keeping of politics out of a so- cial organization is ono of the surest pledges of it's permanence. But the con ditions are not favorable to the position they take, and if these conditions do not result ill some form of political ac- tiyity ill cycling clubs all previous in- dications will be belied.
 All over there are now bicycle clubs occupying usually rooms in what are called residential quarters, and these rooms are the meeting places of thou sands of young men of voting age and eompanionable ways. The subjects dis cussed are far removeh from politics, but, as is invariably the case where young men are associated ill social or ganization for the purposes of mutual good fellowship, one or more of the members become leaders in the club, and moving spirits" in it's affairs
 The politicians of every party are al- ways on the lookout for desirable candi- dates for local nominations, and the put ting in the field of wheelman favora- bly thought of by his associates in 0 wheelmens club would naturally mean the active and efficient support of a number of his associates. Unconscious ly, therefore, though the club might take no part as Q club in the campaign, the result would be the same as if it had done so, and the members of that club would become attached to the party or faction to which tho candidate be- lonped. At the next contest the oppos- ing party would be pretty certain to put ill nomination candidate who had at least tho support of a rival wheelmen's club in the district, or of wheelnen there, and 50 tho cyelers would be brought into politics. J
 This has largely been the rule with social organizations of whatever char acter or description.
 In recent years the first of tho quasi political clubs were the Yolun- teer fro companies Then came the military company clubs. the Grand Ar my posts, the veterans associations and finally the literary and debating clubs. It is safe to say that not one of the lat ter was established with tho view of promoting the political advantage of any member. But sooner or later one mem ber became so prominent as to possess influence in the club ranks, if not con- trel of the political activity of its mem- befs. Then he was nominated for an office; then he secured the support of his friends in the club for the side with which he was allied, and finally the club became known as having certain political leaning.
 It is much hoped by many cyclists that the clubs may keep out of politics, for parnicious political activity is not conducive to the success of such organi- cations, but tho snug clubrooms and the increasing membership of the or ganizations are tempting to the politi- clans, and the result may be foreshad- owed. Last year the cyclists cut quito a figure ill the fight for congress between George B. Mcclellan and R. A. Chese- brough New York Sun.