The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-12
LOCAL OPTION FAILS
Sunday Cycle Racing Stands
Where 1t Did.
MARGIN Is VERY NARROW
Debate on the Question Hot
But Not Turbulent.

st Louis. No, Feb. 11.-After three days
Of hard work, the national assembly of
the League of American Wheelmen to-
night finally adjourned one of the most
notable sessions ever held by that body.
The aII-important question of local option
| in the matter of Sunday racing was again
defeated, an amendment providing that
! state divisions be granted the right to de-
| termine for themselves whether or not
Sunday bicycle races should be permitted
! being voted down by but six votes.
| An amendment had been offered TO the
| bylaws, moving to strike out in article
! of section Z, clause c, all the words be-
| tween the words but and "or." and to
insert in their stead the following: mo
meeting shall receive sanction if it is
TO be held on Sunday in any division
where the board of officers of such divis-
ion shall, by resolution, prohibit the
same"
SUNDAY RACING AMENDMENT.
W. II. Baker, delegate from Buffalo,
n Y, offered as 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 upon 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
hereinafter provided, or has upon its
schedule an event which is open to women
competitors.
The League of American Wheelmen,
while discouraging Sunday racing and
all unlawful and immoderate use of the
bicycle, recognizing the fact that sectional
customs and uses among reputable people
in certain parts of the United States ap-
prove 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 ascertained
and given due consideration, and that the
sport of cycle racing may in such locali-
ties be kept free from unClean and dis
reputable practices and that all cycle rae
ing 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 before June 1. 1898, upon the
question of Sunday racing and each divis-
ion is hereby directed to do so. Such bal
lot shall be taken according to q uniform
rule and form to be prescribed by the
national executive committee, and all bal
lots and the results Of such ballots shall
be certified by the chief consul and score
ary-treasurer of each division TO the sec
rotary 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 ballot as herein
directed shall be construed as & construct
i've ballot of such division, unanimously
opposed to Sunday racing.
"And, provided further, that after each
division has taken such ballot and where
a majority of the members of any divis-
racing. then Sunday racing shall be per-
mitted in such division. under the same
rules and regulations of the national rae
ing board as govern races held on other
days of the week.
THE board shall charge a fee for each
permit, including all closed meets, but
league club having twenty league men,
bers on its roll, or meets, the entries to
which are limited to the members of such
school or club holding the meet, shall re-
ceive a permit without payment of fee"
Mr. Baker said he offered this substi-
tute as a compromise. In his state, he
added. the sentiment was overwhelmingly
against Sunday racing. The question he
considered to be a dangerous one, and
one that. if adopted, would dismember
and disrupt the league. lie conJended
that the league could not stand sponsor
for Sunday racing and retain its respect
ability.
AMENDMENT Is LOST.
a number of speeches were made, pro
and con- and by a good majority Mr..
Bakers plan was substituted for the orig
fnal amendment. At this point the dele
gates got into a parliamentary tangle.
When finally il was Strengthened out. a
proxy vote was taken on the previous
questionable adoption of the substitute
as an amendment TO the bylaws. It was
defeated. as the required two-thir6s ma
joriry was not in favor Of its adoption.
The total number of votes cast was 81.
making the necessary two-thirds rs. A
count of the votes showed Is for the
amendment. and 152 against. The matter
viii therefore be laid over until the next
national assembly.
President Potter voted for the amend
ment.
Thirty-two other amendments were dis
posed Of during the day in various ways
Some were indefinitely postponed OF with
drawn. while four were defeated. Among
the more important Of those adopted are
the following:
NO professional shall be eligible 20 en-
try in any open race run under the rules
Of the League OF American Wheelmen
unless he is registered with the racing
board.
Contestants at meets closed 20 a COL