Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-08
ELECTION FIGURES.

Perhaps in no period of the eighteen
years existence of the League of Amer1-
can Wheelmen has SO much interest been
manifested in the result of the national
election as will mark the event this year
The annual meeting of the national assem-
bly, is scarcely month off. 1t will be held
at st. Louis, Mo-, the fore part of Febru-
airy, and now all of the talk of the meeting
seems to be over the election of a presi-
dent The competition for the office will be
great, though there will perhaps not be
over two men running for the place, each
with d strong pull.
The incumbent in office. Isaac B. Potter
of New York, has announced his candidacy
for reelection. The other candidate for
office is Sterling Elliott, chief consul of the
Massachusetts division, and at present the
publisher of the official organ of the league
Both men have {, strong following and 1t
is safe to say that both will make d,
strong fight for the office. The friends of
Mr.. Potter already claim that he has a
majority of the votes necessary to elect
him. On the other hand. the friends of
Mr.. Elliott state that he will be elected BY
safe majority. Somebody must be mis-
taken. One or the other man will be de-
feated, but which one?
According to the official figures there will
he 81 votes cast at the national assembly
either i'll person or by proxy. Last year
the total vote was something like 1862. AS
the basis of representation has not been
changed it is evident that during the past
year there has been big increase in mem
Iership. This is scattered all over the
country, and includes twelve ex-ofticios and
seventeen vice presidents. With the table
Of representation in full it is easy enough
to Juggle with the figures and give any
candidate the election, but the real test of
strength will lee in the actual vote.
If Potter is reelected it will be the first
time in the history of the organization that
an incumbent succeeds himself. TO main
tain the office for another year it is neces j.
sary for him to poll 1Ss votes. Elliott will
have to secure the same number to be sue
cessful, as they are the only candidates.
The name of George d. Gideon, eX-chair-
man of the racing board, has been sug-
geested as candidate for the office but it
is announced in strong terms that he will
not run. Should he enter the contest he
will be sur. to draw strength from the
other candidates. and make the result all
the more uncertain. BY one way of figur-
ing Gideon can gather votes enough to give
him a majority of thirty-two at the ma
tlonal assembly. AS New York pape,
sums up the situation the withdrawal of
Gideon leaves Potter's election an assured
fact. 1t is hardly likely that Elliott will
be able to get anybody else to try and pick
the chestnuts from the fire for his especial
benefit.
1t is admitted that If Gideon entered the
'oHtest He Woulu inquire tOtter mucn more
than he would Elliott, and hence the latter
is greatly interested to have Gideon re-
main. The ex-chairman of the racing
board is resident of Philadelphia, and
without a doubt can have the support of
his own division, which Potter would 9TH
erwise get. Here is what Mr.. Elliott has
to say on the matter:
George ID. Gideon can be elected presi-
dent of the l.. A. w. more easily than could
any other member of that organization
Mr. Gideon would be perfectly willing 10
| accept TIE nomination If 1t can be done
without the sacrifice of harmony in his own
| state. Pennsylvania, above any state. de-
| serves to have the office in '9s. He would
pI omote harmony and command respect