The record-union., 1897-02-13
Western Delegates Were in a Hopeless
Minority.
California Divided Into Two States,
Those Counties South of Kern to
be Known as South California, +,
and the Remainder North Califor-
mia The Amendment Taking
COlored Men Eligible to the League
Defeated.

Defeated.
ALBANY On. Y.), Feb PA snow
storm amounting almost to a blizzard
the lateness of last nights banquet and
the fact that the fight for the Presiden-
cy was over initiated against the
early session of the L. A. W. to-day. 1t
was IL O'Clock before a quorum was
present. The entire session was de-
voted to discussions of the proposed
amendments to the Constitution.
The first amendment was offered by
Mr.. BasSett, as follows: THAT States
having not less than twenty-five resi-
dent League club members shall be
called Consulates and that California
shall be divided into two States, as fol-
lows: South California, to include San
ia Barbara, Ventura Los Angeles, Or
ange, San Bernardino and San Diego
Counties; all north of these counties
shall be known as North California"
Adopted.
The convention rejected an amend
ment proposed by Brook, that no men,
Der shall be expelled or be deprived of
any benefits of the League without the
sanction of the Chief Consul, thus re-
ducing the powers of the Racing Board.
Another proposed amendment reject
ed was for the repeal of the provision
of Article III. requiring a League club
to pay 81 upon joining the League.
A motion that local option be given
divisions to control their own represen-
taHives on the State Board, not to af-
feet the National Board, was adopted.
Welch of California moved to amend
Article V. by striking out the words
League club and allow any cycling
clubs to be represented on the National
Board. This was amended so that
each division may determine the num-
Der of members of club necessary to
entitle it TO representation on the State
Board.
An amendment was adopted which
gives amateurs the privilege of ex-
changing prizes. as long as ihs.- do
not convert them into cash
Secretary Bassett's proposed amend
ment making coored men eligible to
membership in the league was defeated
ayes 153, noes 100.
Two-thirds is required for the adop-
tion of any amendment. The PROPOSE
tion to admit profession riders as as
sociate members in the League of
American Wheelmen was defeated by
an overwhelming vote.
An effort was being made to bring up
the Sunday racing matter for discus
sion out Of regular order. The Western
delegates urged it for the reason that
they will be forced TO leave for home by
/ 80 p. m. at the latest, and that would
leave the amendment at the mercy Of
the Eastern delegation. The motion was
lost and the amendments taken up in
regular order.
f. ". Robert of Missouri proposed an
amendment TO the effect that the Rae
ing Board provide amateur and profess
sional national champion events at
league meets, the races to be the same
in number, etc. 1t was adopted.
Cooke Of Rhode Island proposed an
amendment that in the event OF con-
tested election in any division it must
be referred first TO the Division Rights
and Privileges Committee and in. case
of an appeal be carried 10 the National
Rights and Privileges Committee.
Adopted
Mr. Welch of North California moved
TO take up and adopt the amendment of
w s. Roberts, to add to Article "
Section I. that the Racing Board shall
grant sanctions for race meetings to be
held on Sunday in divisions where the
Board Of Officers of the divisions shall
adopt a resolution permitting the same;
the resolution to be subject to revoca-
ton at any time by the Board of Off
GERS filing the same.
Mr. Welch said that in California Sat
urday was the busiest day of the week,
and Sunday was the only day at liberty
TO the masses for enjoyment. Other
amusements were sanctioned. and why
not wheeling?
Mr.. Monaghan OF South California
said that while he was not opposed to
Sunday racing on general principles he
did not believe that the league should
grant II, inasmuch as the majority OF
the league members We're opposed TO it.
''If il goes out this afternoon through
the Associated Press said he that
this league has passed this amendment
favoring Sunday racing. ii will hurt us
severely in the eyes of the public"
The speaker was heartily applauded.
A. f. Dunn of Philadelphia thought it
was a dangerous question to handle.
The wisest thing they could do was to
keen as far away from the danger as
possible. and thus be on the safe side If
this amendment is adopted, an explo-
sion of some sort will surely follow.
f. w Hartwell of Denver, Col,
favored the amendment. He did not be-
Heve that If the league sanctioned sun
day racing it would reflect on the league.
II was merely a local option, and the
different sections of the league would
take the responsibility.
J. J. Kerrigan of North California ar
gued that as many as 25,000 or 10000
people Were drawn to ball games and
balloon ascensions in his State on Sun
days. while on other days ii was hard to
get 800 people. Sunday was the only
day that paying audiences could be OBJ
tanned for wheel meets. The fact was
that the granting of this local option
would cast the onus OF holding Sunday
racing upon the various State leagues.
and that would not hurt the American
League. There We're road races every
sunday even in the East, and the league
did not object to that The theaters
were open in California. and SO were the