New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-09
CRIES OF FRAUD" HEARD.
ryc1rED wHEELMEN AT THE LENox
LYCEUM.
~up LIGHTS TURNED OUT SATURDAY NIGHT RE.
FORE A VOTE WAS TAKEN ON THE ACTION OF
MEssRs T1NsDALE AND BRIDGMAN AT
ALBANY IN REFERENCE TO THE BAG
GAGE BILL-UMBRELLAs AND
RUBBERs LEFT BEHIND
IN THE HURRY

The excitement and the methods attempted TO
carry points the meeting Of the Cyclists Fed
Grafton at the Lenox Lyceum on Saturday night
were the chief subjects of conversation among riders
NJ the wheel in the metropolitan district Yesterday
The windup occurred at so late an hour that the
newspapers able to print only meagre reports
Of the meeting
II the best-attended session ever held by the
Federation fully 200 members being present Of
which number probably twenty-five were women
The wheelwomen frequently demanded the indulg-
epce OF the chairman. and when they took the floor
they spoke with just as much vehemence did
their male friends. One woman jumped up and said
tina, she thought that Messrs. Tinsdale and Bridg
nan had done the 'smartest thing in their lives
when they went to Albany and introduced the
amendment to the Armstrong Baggage bill. When
chided for her utterances by a friend later who
asked her II she was not ashamed of herself for
utiering such sentiments. she replied. with some
hesitation Just a little bit." and then away.
apparently to avoid further questions
Another woman. who has adopted the advanced
idea of cycling dress when the debate
getting rather warm and said: "Mr. Chairman
don't you think that IT would be advisable to have
the ladies withdraw? Then the could fight II
out with more comfort and freedom" Her sugges-
ton caused a roar. but it had other effect
Most of the women accompanied by their
husbands and II was noticed that they voted what
ever way their husbands voted. II there was
single exception IL not brought TO the attention
Of the reporter. Mrs. Rasbeck championed the
cause of the Armstrong Baggage bill in the most
pleasing. convincing manner and whenever she got
the floor she held her audience with her eloquence
Then ner denunciation of the course alleged TO have
been taken by that special committee. whose action
At Albany. is charged. jeopardzed the passage Of
the bicycle baggage BILL telling and robust.
'Your committee says" she went on. with de-
termination showing in every line OF her prepos-
sessing face. that they thought there
tor .ba ~ In ito
What right had they TO think ANYTHING about the
matter? They were sent TO Albany TO help pass
the BILL and they had nc right TO suggest any COM
promise measure. 1t at first asserted that the
emancipation OF the slaves In this country was i'm
possible bu, ii accomplished. and so could this
have been brought 70 successful Issue, in all
probability but for the Offering OF tina; amendment
Then several handsome young women sitting near
the speaker clapped their hands and tossed their
pretty heads showing that they agreed fully with
Mrs. Rasbeck.
ARMED WITH CUSHING'S MANUAL.
Another exciting incident in the meeting was
caused by young man who arrived at the nail
early and took a seat In the front row He had the
look Of the student with jet-back hair and mus
,ache and pair OF piercing eyes, denoting much
determination and combatlveness. He happened to
lake a seat l. B. Potter. the chief consul OF the
New-York State Division OF the J.. A w, and II
vas the opinion OF the majority that he was one OF
Pot,er's henchmen He was not. however. for he
had never met the chief cycling executive OF the
State until Saturday night. His name is DR.. Rod
rigues Ottoengrl. and he came to the meeting ex-
lectrg trouble. and. determining TO see that the
session was conducted parliamentary lines and
that fair play be had for ALL he was armed with
copy CT Cushings Manual, and he Haunted the book
in The face OF the chairman al different times The
meeting had not been In progress more than few
minutes when he objected 10 the rulings OF the
chair and had the satisfaction OF being sustained by
he members At one time he rushed up 10 the
able OF the chairman, Mr.. Bridgman. and shaking
his fst threatenngly. demanded fair play. and he
came pretty near getting 1t. Few people In the
audience knew him, and when one wag suggested
that he was the original "Mr. Hot Stuff the sug
gestion met hearty approval
When the secretary, T. II. Burton. attempted TO
read the minutes Of the preceding meeting the
trouble began. Little mention was made OF the
Armstrong BILL and there were cries OF Fraud.
The members refused accept the minutes as
read some alleging that they had been doctored
and when the matter was put TO vote the minutes
we're ordered to be revised on the lines suggested
by Mr. Mccormick by vote OF ~ 10 d. az IL was
announced although others thought that the actual
vote was about 100 80 This vote showed the SEN
timent of the meeting The policy OF the adherents
Of the specia committee from that time 10 the end
ing was TO delay matters az much as possible, so
that no direct could be taken and they pleaded
for adjournment when they feared that an issue
would be reached late at night.
TRYING TO TALK HIM DOWN.
When Mr. Potter asked opportunity 10 show
that there still chance to pass the Armstrong
iii in It's entirety. effort was made TO talk him
down and 10 Limit his time the floor. so that he
could not read the documentary evidence he had in
his possession. The efforts. however failed.
George Mcdonald, brothe: Of the racing man Of
that one OF the members OF the Law Committee
had committed forgery IN signing one Q, the pei
Inn X.
who denounced Mcdonald In no measured terms.
ds EN- oeq 10 expnn he maer Them
ne read q letter from the man. whose name ne mad
=, QUIET then reigned for a few minutes although
some had feared blows would be struck
ec"tIve Committee UNFOLDING Messrs. Tinsdae and
Bridgman for the action they took at Albany the
Siy 8 to l. The chairman did not announce the exact
vote 1t was not necessary IL was after tier II O'clock
Nessrs Tinsdae and Bridgman should be sustained
or Such vote was airy m ne OPINION mon
said was against sustaining them as SHOWN In the
voting for receiving the minutes ana Tor accepting
the report Of the Executive Committee
DELAY IN THE VOTING.
Tho, 4. was announced that the voting would be
aone nv ballot and that the name OF every member
should be called. AS there are 500 members. OF
whom about 200 were present the effort at delay
was evident Then 1t was suggested that the hat be
passed around to pay the employees for their extra
work In staying SO dte' i>ibht VI nc" uo"aiS "eie
collected and dumped on the table. While the Sec
rotary was calling the names and the teers were
recording their votes, the midnight hour arrived
&C. had not been completed in the alphabetical list
Then some one told the chairman that the hall
would have 10 be closed II after midnight
The lights were put out a few minutes later some
thought that the meeting had been adjourned until
next satlrday but others maintained that there will
not be any meeting until next month: IL was one
Of the most outrageous attempts 10 bolster up the
action OF committee through alterations and falsi-
acations Of records seen In many day, said one
OF those present Such methods VIII disrupt the
Fedora ton In short order
Sidney Bowman said in an address that he had
been told that Potter had said that he Potter had
declared tina; ne did think the Armstrong Bill
would pass as 1t was. Mr.. Potter denounced thi,
statement false, and declared that he had heard
that Mr.. Bowman had made such statement and
that ne had written to Mr.. Bowman. denying IT, bui