New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-21
AGAINST TIE WHEEL!
,vrt-cycLING MASS MEETINGS 70 ht
HELD IN BROOKLYN.
MISS CHARLOTTE SMITH TO CONTINUE HEN
cRrsADE-REAsoNs WHY SHE OBJECTS

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. WHY SHE ohJH'l'
TO THE SPORT.
Miss Charlotte Smith. the president o' INC
Woman's Rescue League. well known III " ''s"''s
top Boston New York ard Brooklyn for her meth
ode adonteJ in all OF these cities in her defence OIL
ou,cast rirls l. about to hold anti-cycIing m"Ss
meetings in Brooklyl. The city oihc'h'S ID ho
Ncw-York and Washington are famiifr WIZ" wv
wor,; of Miss Smith they have on severn" '''"
sions been brought into unpleasant p'on''"'"
brouqb the vigorous work Of this agitaior OF moiai
reforms The Rescue League. which IL io"r year,
old was established in Boston for the purpose "
osc.,toininc why so many women drift INTO hF's
~ immortality As q result of four ycars OF H.
restigaton Miss Smith Is Of the OPINION '''' ''.
deriorabe condition of 80 many '"""S"'"' "
American girls il largely brought abou' pS 'i''
in various ways Of m" bicycle. since Hrr''"N at
his conclusion Miss Smith has wagod re'e"'le8S
war on the new Amusement. and she Expresses n''
tep,on Of keepinC up the agitation untii she secs
,hat her work has done some good. MISS Hni'h
says ,,
THE physical condition Of the average girl VIII
rot permit OF her takirS long rides on the Dcyoe'
and on account Of the exhiarating effects OF the
spin the practice is kept UP until before the rioef
knows II she finds herself a physical wreck DIR
dened with serious diseases. All this pure-alr-of-
heaven racket makes ME weary cf He. nave
never yet seen "A woman who looked well on the
bicycle and as for riding being good for the COM
peyion | take no stock in that excuse whatever
The position assumed by bicyclists Is one that OF
Itself gives rise disorders Of the system ana m
variably results i'm weakening the backs OF delicate
girls who ride FOR the purpose Of gaining strength
by far however. the gravest question I" be con-
sidered in connection with the bicycle Is Us erect
upon the morals OF young girls. The popular
stand taken by the public in regard 20 the bicycle
girl representing her ak an American woman or IN
dependence, and capable Of taking care OF herself
I'm any emergency. has had demOral@lnR tHrct
upon Youthful riders. This sentiment has inslllru
into the minds OF eirls the impression that. "nllc
they are out riding. they secure from any n
dignity or remark. and that they can go Wh're th"y
choose. whether not they are accompanied uy a
male escort. This feeling grows upon the girl aS
her riding becomes more general, ana her SPINS are
This continues and as a consequence she grows FUR
Their and further from the influence OF her parents
until she finally goes out at night without account
ing for her actions II many OF the women riders
who give as an excuse for their midnight spins that
they want to get the fresh and invigoratinS air or
heaven were sincere in this desire. they would go
riding early in the morning instead OF late al night
II have been deeply grieved at the stand taken by
the cergymen OF the country In regard TO the bcycle
question They have meckly dropped into line with
the popular craze. and are preaching bicycle ser
mons under the excuse of being progressive.
Next week | shall go to New-York and BROOKLYN
call meetings. and inaugu:ate an antl-picN'b
movement I shall SIX for the assistance ana CO.
operation of all mothers and thinking persons TO
take up this question with the ultimate object OF
limiting the use Of the bicycle.