The evening times., 1896-09-04
BID FOR WHEELMEN's VOTE
Republican Committee Plans
to Capture T..
WORKING THROUGH L. A. W
Letters Have Been Sent to Every
State Consul of the League of Amer
ican observation-disclosures Of Good
Roads o<sip of the
Riders of the Silent Steed.

The Republican national committee has
made direct bid for the vote of the wheel
men OF the United States in the coming ma
tioDal election.
The movement was quietly started three
weeks ago and If anyone outside the com
mittee knew OF IL ut the time or has
learned of II since it has moi been 20 know
the full Significance of the scheme. Cor
respondence on the subject has been con-
Quoted in a semi-secre manner, and only
those men prominent in the bicycle woIid
who are known 10 be good Republicans
have been dealt with.
Theerfort to apture the vote Oft he VIII eel
men for the Republican candidate has been
regarded as OF such importance that bu-
reau to conduct the work To this end has
been established in connection with the
national headquarters in Chicago, and under
the care OF Mark Hanna himself, who has
appointed James X. Dunn in charge of the
literary department, and WalterH. Cham
berlin 10 care for the organization inter
ests.
MCKINLEY AND HOBART CYCLERS.
The name OF the organization is the
National Wieelmen's Mckinley and lIoba rt
correspondence appears the line, "Repub
licaD National Committee-Wheelnen' De-
partment." Then on another part OF the
sheet the Dame OF the club as given above
The names of Robert P. Walker appear as
president and Charles C. whitacre as
secretary and treasurer.
About three weeks ago letters were sent
toevery State consul OF the League OF Ameri-
can Wheelmen in the United States who is
Republican and letters were also directed
10 wheelmeD prominently connected with
local bicycle clubs not connected with the
l. a. W. The correspondence has, however,
been for the greater part with league Of
ficials. Though the letters do not state it
in SO many words 1t is evident that the Re-
publicanparty hnpesto claimthe wbeelnen's
vote through the assurance of party legisla-
ton In behalf OF good roads.
The first circular letter was sent out
August 19 This letter makes DO reference
TO the receivers interest in cylcing, but
states that he is know To the national com
mittee as Republican and that IL he will
indicate willingness TO receive further
correspondence on the subject they will in
dictate to him lines of work in which he may
materially aid the party in the presc mt cam
paigD.
HOPE TO WIN DEMOCRATS.
In cases where favorable answer has been
sent to this letter another typewriter com
munication has teen received which gives
detailed plans 10 organize campaign pa rad
ing clubs OF wheelmen all over the coun-
try The movement must be started by Re
publicans and IL is hoped that other wheel
men will later he attracted TO the party
ranks. Its desired that as much nthusiasni
as possible be aroused and il is hoped that
all wteclmen, many Of whom. of course
have been Democrats, viii catch the fever
and begin to shout for the Republican parry
and good roads.
It's a-eiecer appeal to an organizatiO ion
whose very watchword and almost " hose
cause d'etre Is good roads,
Minutest details regarding organization
are given in the second letter. IL is de-
sirable to organize clubs in every township
in the United States. This organization
is to be conducted on strict military lines.
Companies of not less than thirty nor more
than forty wheelmen, with captain, are to
be formed. Then, If the number OF bi-
cyclists in the town is sufficiently large,
the companies will be formed into bat
talions and regiments, four companies to
form a ma jor and three bat
,alions to compose a regiment under a col
onel. II more than one regiment is formed
N the Same town a briga lie may be formed,
and brigadier general appointed.
Then occurs an important part of the let
ter. Organizers. after being assured that
badges will be sent to all members. and that
foac .h.r o.
phasize the request that the names of those
who join the movement be sent TO the he'll
quarters OF the national committee at Chi
cago.
DEALT WITH PERSONALLY
This Is evidently for the purpose of en-
abling the campaign committee to mail
literature on the subjects of contemplated or
promised legislation in favor OF good roa is
to the wheelmen. 1t is thought that it may
mean more than this and that as election
day approaches, these wheelmen's names
may befurnishcd to local party workers who
will see that everybody votes right
The letter suggests that steps be taken
in organization very soon.
When the above facts leaked out from an
unofficial source Mr. william T. Robertson,
consul of the District division, League OF
American Wheelmen, was called upon to
verify the statement Mr.. Robertson would
not admit that such correspondence as the
kind described had reached him. Neither
would he deny it. What he did say was to
remind his questioner that the League Of
A merican Wbeclmen has always been
known as non bipartisan organization, and
as for himself, personally, Mr.. Robertson,
though Sa wing that he is Republican stat
ed that he had always refrained from active
participation in political affairs.
Mr.. Robertson admitted that the votes
of So ,s44 members Of the L. A. W. were
worth any party's consideration, and that
the votes of million-mOrc or less-other
wheelnen could easily turn an election
overwhelmingly for any candidate whose
cause they cared to espouse. But he would
not admit that the L. A. W. will listen to
any proposition of any political party in
this ca m paig
The question OF the championship still
remains undecided The last day Of the
Springfield meet was sensational in the
extreme, and Thomas Cooper won the
hobors, taking the mile record, and the
half-mile open, in which Tom Butler did not
qualify, and in which he defeated Bald In a
clcan-cut manner tha left open no chance
for doubt. Murphy, Mcdonald, Kennedy
and Kimble were all shut out of the meet
without piece OF the money, and Sanger
;,ained but little through new style of
pacing introduced in the big record race to
help the men at the rear Of the line. Ham
ilton started in the line with the field, and
bo inf ctor od nj =,