The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-11
MEETING OF WHEELMEN
GOOD ROADS DISCUSSED AT THE
FIRST SESSION OF THE LEAGUE.
Mabel Woodbury.. of DanviIle, Ill,
the Only Woman Decentralization
of the Cycle Board of Trade.

ALBANY. n. Y. Feb. 1O.-The annual
meeting of the National League of Ameri-
can Wheelmen was called to order by Presi-
dent Elliott at 1890 o'clock this morning.
The first woman ever to attend the assem-
bly, as delegate was present. She is Mabel
Woodbury., of Danvile, ILL.,, and she is a
prominent worker in wheeling affairs.
President Elliott after making a few
marks turned the meeting over to Chair
man Potter, of the good roads committee,
who Immediately introduced Lieutenant
Governor Woodruff. of New York, who
made the address of welcome.
Benjamin l. Cohen. of Portland, Ore,
was introduced as the first speaker on good
roads. Mr.. Cohen said that Oregon, al
though but in its infancy in the establish
ment Of good roads. was doing great work
in that direction. They had adopted river
gravel for roads and it met all require
ments. The county committees were jealous
in promoting the work and bill had been
introduced in the Legislature TO give the
county courts full power in the matter, and
that delinquent taxpayers should be COM
PEELED to work the amounts due out on the
roads. lie said that since the Oregon Road
Club, which comprised III members, had
been formed il had been instrumental in
getting great improvements made in the
city OF Portland
W. l.. McCiintOck, member of the
Massachusetts highway commission, was
the next speaker. He said that when
MASSACHUSETTS, started the good roads move
ment the most strenuous opposition was
from the farmers, but when the system had
been put in working order there was
change of sentiment. and now, he said, the
farmers can be counted on to do anything
10 promote improved highways.
II. X. Choate OF Minnesota, said: Our
highway laws contain evidence of all stages
down 10 the present day. 1t il, of course,
impossible for me to particularize in regard
TO all hodge-podge bad patch work of high
way legislation throughout the United
States. 1 take pleasure. however. in paying
my respects to one law in particular be-
cause il is probably responsible for more
bad roads and is more generally in force
in the United States than any other road
law 1 refer TO the law permitting the
farmers to work out their road tax instead
or paying IL in money" The speaker then
went on to explain at length the origin of
the toll tax. This i'll fated old law" he
said. has been patched in my own State
and in some other States so to permit
but not require the farmers to pay their
road tax in money In some States / un-
derstand the law has; through the influence
OF the League of American Wheelmen, been
abandoned, very much to the profit of the
states so doing. There is no more vicious
law in existence. / would urge that the L.
A. w. enter politics. Political influence is
"a great thing IL we want TO secure ieSisla-
ton for good roads,
James Owen, of Newark. N j.. next took
the roStrum. He gave concise history of
the good roads movement. So rapid has
been the growth of good roads in the State
and so heartily had the people taken to the
Improvement that there not legisla-
tor in the State of New Jersey who would
dare to introduce a bill to repeal the law
relative to good roads.
The situation late tonight in the presi-
Dental contest remains practically I'M
changed except that Chief Consul Potter
claims to be in the lead at 15i TO back him
up. The number of votes for choice is 1874
The Western delegation held n caucus this
afternoon which lasted three hours ant! re-
suited I'm bolt of all the delegates ex-
cepting the Illinois contingent. The bolt
was precipitated by the Illinois men insist
ing that the delegates support Connolly for
president. This they refused to do favor
ing Morrison for first vice president The
Potter supporters claim that since morning
they have won over the delegates from
Iowa, Maine. Texas. half of the Minnesota
and Massachusetts delegates.
The Potter supporters have a trump card
II is in the form of circular aimed against
James Dunn, of MassilOn. o.. who was
president of the league during 1S90-9 and is
now n candidate for office under the
Mckinley administration. The document
sets forth that Dunn during the recent ma
tional campaign asked Chief Consul Pot
ter, OF New York TO use his Office in secur-
ing the election of Major Mckinley, which
Potter fatty refused TO do hence the cool
ness between the two.