The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-12
BY Close Vote the Assembly Rejects
ions Local Option in the Matter.
NEW LAW FOR PROFESSIONALS
NO MORE Sunday RACES WITHOUT
REST FOR THE CONTESTANTS.
National Administration to BE Asked
to Demand $4,000 Indemnity from
Turkey for killing Cycler Lens.

DAVIS Of hard work the National Assembly
Of the League of American Wheelmen to-
night finally adjourned one of the most not
able sessions ever held by that body. At
this session the fight of President Isaac
r. Potter for reelection was successful,
and the all-important question of local OPP
ton in the matter of Sunday racing was
again defeated. An amendment providing
that state divisions be granted the right to
determine for themselves whether or not
Sunday bicycle races should be permitted
was introduced and defeated BIZ but six
votes This year an amendment was Of
fered to the bylaws, moving to strike out
i'll Article of Section Z. Clause c, all the
words between the words but aud or
and insert in their stead the following: No
meeting shall receive sanction if it is to be
held on Sunday in any division where the
board of officers of such division shall, by
resolution, prohibit the same
W. II. Baker, a delegate from Buffalo,
N. Y. offered 81 a substitute for this
amendment the following, which he spoke
on at length;
1T shall have the power to grant or
withhold permits for race meetings and to
impose penalties on race promoters and
racing men who may hold race meetings or
engage in racing at the same, without the
official permit of the board But no race
meeting shall receive official permit if it is
to be held on Sunday. except as herein
after provided or has upon its schedule any
event which is open to women competitors
THE League of American Wheemen
while discouraging Sunday racing and all
unlawful and immoderate use of the bicy-
Gle, recognizes the fact that sectional Gus
toms and uses among reputable people in
certain parts of the United States approve
of the indulgence in outdoor sports and
athletic games on Sunday and among such
people cycle racing on Sunday has been
strongly encouraged Now, to the end that
public sentiment prevailing in particular
divisions shall be asctertained and given
due consideration, and that the sport of
cycle racing in such localities be kept free
from unclean and disreputable practices.
and that all cycle racing on the track
within the United States shall be subject
to the disciplinary rules of the national
racing board, or otherwise it is hereby
provided that no cycle racing on Sunday
shall be recognized or tolerated by permit
OF the national racing board or otherwise
in any division, unless each division of the
league shall have first taken ballot be-
fore June l. 1898, upon the question of Sun
directed to do. Such ballot shall be taken
according to uniform rule and form to be
prescribed by the national executive COM
mittee and all ballots and the results of
such ballots shall be certified by the chief
consul and secretary-treasurer of each di-
vision to the secretary of the league, who
shall cause the same to be Immediately
published in the official l.. A. w bulletin
The failure of any division to take the bal
lot as herein directed shall be construed as
constructive ballot of such division. unan-
imously opposed to Sunday racing And
provided further, that after each division
has taken such ballot, and where a major
ity or the members of any division have
voted III favor of such Sunday racing then
Sunday racing shall be permitted in such
division under the same rules and regula-
lions of the national racing, board as gov
ern races held on other days of the week
permit, including all closed meets. but
league club having twenty members on it's
roll, or meets the entries to which are i'm
tied to the members of school or club hold
ing the meet, shall receive a permit with
out payment of a fee
THE DEBATE.
Mr.. Baker sad he offered this substitute
as a compromise. In his State. he added the
sentiment was overwhelmingly against SIM
day racing The question he considered 10
De dangerous one and one that If adopted
would dismember and disrupt the league
lie contended that the league could not
stand sponsor for Sunday racing and retain
its responsibility.
Inc debate that followed was eloquent and
fiery at times. Chief Consul Kerker. Of New
Jersey. spoke against Sunday racing. Dele
gate Moulton of Illinois, was for it and ex-
pressed himself StronoIx, IN, fa.,or 80 A..
substitute, as did A. Il. Choate of Mime
apolis. The latter declared that ii was not
question of religion but one of expedi-
ency. Frank p. Won Volkenburg, assistant
United States attorney. and a delegate from
milwaukee. made a fiery and eloquent adj
dress denouncing the compromise substitute.
he favored local option and would vote on
the original amendment. Everett w. Patter-
son, of st. Louis, was favorable to local on
ton. A. ID. Knapp, of Pennsylvania. was OBJ
posed to Sunday racing. were all but a
few of the delegates from his State A num-
Der of other speeches were made pro and
con, and by good majority Mr. Bakers
plan was substituted for the original amend
ment
AT this point the delegates got into q par
liamentary tangle that seemed for n time
could not be unraveled When finally IL was
Strengthened out proxy vote was taken
on the previous guestion-the adoption of
the substitute rs an amendment to the by
laws. 1t was defeated, as the required two
thirds majority was not in favor of its
adoption The total number of votes cast
was 327, making the necessary two-thirfls
ZlS A count or the votes showed 175 for the
amendment and 152 against The matter
will, therefore be laid over until the next
National Assembly. President Potter voted
for the amendment. Indiana cast six yeas
Thirty-tWO other amendments We're dis
posed of during the day fin various ways
Some We're indefinitely postponed or with
drawn, while four were defeated. Among
the more important of those adopted are the
following:
Article of constitution. a new section
inserted. to read: No. 9-No professional
shall be eligible to entry in any open
run under the rules of the League of Amer
lean Wheelmen unless he is registered with
the racing board"
Article g. Section III (substituteD-
Contestants at meets closed 10 college.
or to any number of colleges forming an
only. be governed by the amateur rules OF
the intercollegiate Association Of Amateur
Athletes of America
Article s. Section 3, amended by strik-
ing out the word ''wheelmen
other amendments adopted provided for
the payment of $3.50 year compensa-
ton TO Chairman Mott. of the national rae
irg board, and declaring that hereafter no
sanctions would be given for any six -day
continuous race unless the riders be COM
PEELED 10 take at least two hours rest out OF
every tWenty-fOur
Resolutions were adopted fixing the reg
stration Zee for professionals at 81 per
/ year: calling on the national government TO
| push the demand on the Turkish govern
ment for the prompt payment of $4,000 in
| demnity 10 the mother of Frank f. LEM.
| the Pittsburg member of the l.. A. w.
| who was murdered in Turkish territory
| while on q tour OF the world faVorng the
passage by Congress of the bill introduced
| by Representative Davies, OF California, for