The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-04-30
A MEAN SPIRIT MANIFEST.
STOCKTON'S UNSPORTSMAN-
LIKE WHEELMEN.
Charging Crookedness Because
They Cannot Ride Fast
Enough to Win.

The Stockton Mali of yesterday has
an excitedly written article concern
ing the late cycle relay race and the
trophy held by the Capital City Wheel
men. 1t is related that the Terminal
City Wheelmen and the Road Club
Annex of Stockton have united forces
and will send witnesses to Sacramento
to testify against the Capital Citys, TO
the effect that our local riders &C
cepted pace, and that the packet was
not carried through. 1t is added that
the two judges in Stockton have made
up their verdict, placing the T. c. w.
winners. the Road Club second and the
Sacramento club disqualified for
CROOKED work"
1t is also set forth that on the very
day the rule forbidding pacing was
adopted the Sacramento club had per
fected arrangements to have its men
paced clear through the 100 miles that
photographs are in existence proving
the pacing. and that in one instance a
Sacramento rider was actually pushed
along by helper. Finally, that unless
the Sacramentans give up the cup an
appeal will be taken. etc. Bad blood is
shown all through the article, and an
evident purpose to pick a quarrel
A Record Union" reporter last even
ing called upon those qualified and au-
thorized to speak for the Capital City
Wheelmen and asked what the Sacra-
mento club would say about it. The
reply was as follows:
The Stockton people have no reason
to pick quarrel with US. We will have
none. Our Racing Board met last
Monday and respectfully resolved, and
so notified the Stocktonians, that II
they had complaint to make and would
forward the same in writing the board
would investigate the matter and make
response justified by the facts.
we want nothing but exact justice.
Our club is composed of high minded,
respecting men, incapable OF
crooked work 1t is cold-pioodeu
cruelty to charge that we provided Tor
pacing our men The Racing Board
repudiates the charge as unworthy or
gentlemen and sportsmen. III the
charge is authorized by our brethren OF
the Stockton clubs, which you now
show in the paper you have, then lhey
have prejudged US and lowered them
selves in our estimation. we 90 not
believe they have done so, however.
The rule against pacing was not mace
recently, but two years ago.
There is and has been no denial
that one of our riders, by unhappy &C
cident. lost the packet, and that 1t was
not recovered until the return trip. we
do deny that pacing was had or per-
mitted our men all stand ready 10
swear that they were not paced. If any
of our men accepted pace we want
proof of it. It is safe to say that II
x-rin he
with the utmost severity, and Will
probably be expelled. But until proved
guilty. we hold our men innocent.
we are Informed that on the fourth
relay the T. G. w. man was paced, but
we make no charges until the proper
time comes. If it is proved our men
were paced. and that the Terminals
men were paced, then neither of US
should have the cup. but it should go to
the Road Club Annex.
AS to the packet, the Record
Union the other day got things about
right. We claim that the essential
thing was the race-the getting OF the
racers through fairly-and that all else
being fair. the loss Of the packet was
but an incident. and that the clause
concerning the carrying OF II is puI Ill
rectory. and not mandatory. Some OF
=
orr members. however, hold to the con-
trarv. and believe the race was lost by
rs But you can safely say that WhSh
the Capital City Wheelmen come 10
net on the matter. which the club mas
not done they will say that II the ::
c w. want the trophy on the techhlcat
ground that the packet was not carried
over every relay. they can nave IT, ana
We will send it crowned with bouquets
and goOd-luck wishes.
But the trophy will not be surreh-
dered as long as charges of crooked
work are pending, if any are
made. unless we mistake the
shirt Of cur club. our clup Is
cIean-handed. pays its debts, cherishes
its honor highly, and will not submit 10
any insinuation that it jockeys or goes
dirty work. 49,,
..NTark YOU. we don't believe the
stockton BOYS. in official meeting, viii
straight out charge us with anything
1o1v-dovn. That is all there is to the
matter. Sacramento's honor IN TINS
matter is dearer to us than hundred
4ronhies. We won the race, NINA you,
and o1r teams can do it again ana
evorv dav in the week, and do not for
get it."