The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-04

country. 1t is a matter of congratulation
that most of the States, influenced almost
entirely by your efforts, have pressed the
subject home upon the people with graft
flying results.
AN Italian once called the bicycle "a
poem in metal but its use is long since
out of the realm of romance and song, and
belongs to one of the greatest and most
wonderful inventions OF the time; to the
rank of steamboat, railroad, telegraph and
telephone. The Americans are eminently
a practical people, and were quick to see
both the convenience and utility Of this
beautiful machine, SO simple and perfect in
tina prejudice could not avail against it,
nor pride or prudishness or fear prevent
tts Tiaest nzs BY s gegb; women " Eoeno az AND
witnessed before me to-day would not be
possible I'm any other country of the world.
and it is at once an inspiration and educa-
ton. Bicycle riding is useful not only for
In almost every department of human ex-
ertion. The bicycle delivers our mails; it
liability; it is in use for courier service in
the army, police. and health departments
other forms of delivery work, and with the
application of power its usefulness will
practicany have no limit.
No one should attempt the statistics OF
the bicycle industry. In 1870 there was not
a bicycle mandatory in the world. In
1880 there were but three in America. and
those only experimenting in the most vague
and indifferent manner. In 1895. fifteen
cycle factories. with a product of 500. 600 ma
chimes alta cost of $37. 500, 900. while the out
put predicted for this year. 1896, is 500, 600.
cent writer, is to try to follow a bullet in
its flight This nobody would undertake
to do. The cyclist, l believe, has beaten
the best time ever made by a horse. and
has almost surpassed in speed the fastest
engines in the. world.
'The speed of the wheelmen would he
extremely useful for a political party il
mere DISTANCE We're the test of it's running
however, is in the strength of its cause. It's
running qualities rest upon it's principles.
and how far those principles shall com
mand the conscience. the confidence and
the intelligence of the American people.
Those principles were never stronger. and
never so directly appealed to the interest
of the American voter as now; and never
cepf your knowledge or mine, ex-
has the Republican cause so alb
sorbed public thought and commanded
than this Year. Is Rss sne N eaer U We're the fhp peop se
many hands willing to help that cause.
lhGstng tha1 cause as now-never in al our
fnS Never was so much individual eff
COMMITTEES, performed by Democrats and
Republicans and men of other parties as
tiomaliti never We're men of ali ma
SO earnest for the success of the
republican cause as to-day. The women
are alike Interested; they want good laws,
good politics and good government. and
POD them quite as necessary for the wei
n ar br anu happiness as for their husbands
- may be wrong, but 1 do not recall
snat the Wheeimen of this country, repre-
pro1esslons of the country, were ever in
terested in a political campaign be-
Topei hr What tr but a mighty cause
dlIerent sections of the country to Canton
10 pay a VISIT to a presidential candidate of
a political party. Your visit demonstrates \
the earnest feeling of the people, the deep
test. The wheelmen know as well as anv
part OF our population what good roads
nlean, and now much easier it is to make 4
and time over, them than over i
poor roads- They know. too. that for 4
three and a half years this com
try, has been travelling over "a rocky
.odu. full OF ruts and covered with obstruc- i
Ions ana as a result the American people I
lraVe hau a very hard road to travel
Iney want an improvement. They do not \
want better roads for their wheels. Il
Ut tney want every obstruction removed 4
the wheels of industry will star ri In every \
Lact9Ty and mill in the United States. They
Woulu rather have American wheels run \
ilhg IN our factories, giving employment
American goods. than to have foreign A
wneels supplying us with goods. Good roads Y
: indispensable to the progress and in 4
[egrity of the United States.
Il am glad to know that the wbee1men L
IN such vast numbers are enlisted in the /
cduse OF an honest dollar, an honest OBJ I
servatlon OF law, honest payment of the
pubic debt, honesty in the execution Of
private contracts-a protective tariff that /
~ uSIenu honest American citizens from
.ne cheap labor OF other countries. and
snad ~ the same time, viii preserve n
good nome market to the honest farmers
of the United States. Your visit viii in
spire ni6her and greater activity for the
Lrlumph Of the cause in November and
sause everywhere. 1 thank you, and bid
you goodbye" ~