The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-09
LEAGUE OF WHEELMEN
DELEGATES AT ST. LOUIS READY
FOR THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
Potter Likely to BE Reelected Presi-
dent-Actfon of the Committee on
Highway improvements.

ST. LOUIS. Feb. S.-Almost the entire
delegation to the National League of Amer
lean Wheelmen has arrived and tonight
the parlors of the Southern Hotel are
thronged with the wheelmen shaking hands
and renewing acquaintance. The only
meeting of the evening was that of the
chief consuls for the purpose of discussing
the best method for recruiting new MEM
bers and keeping UP the membership by re-
newals. A number of papers were read by
the chief consuIs and secretary and treas
urers Of the large divisions. The meeting
lasted till after 10 o'clock, and the spirit of
an experience meeting largely pervaded
the proceeding.
The principal subject of discussion among
the delegates is the political situation and
the probable result of the election. On all
sides it is admitted that the prospects for
the reelection of President Potter and the
carrying through of the entire ticket are
excellent, but at the same time it is also
admitted that there is a Spirit of opposition
in the air which cannot be located. 1t is
stated that 200 votes have been pledged to
Mr. Potter and his ticket and only III are
required for election. No opponent has as
yet been announced, although the New Jer-
Sey delegation held a secret caucus this
afternoon behind closed doors and refused
to reveal the nature of their discussion
other than it pertained to the election. 1t
is stated that the Illinois delegation has
come to the assembly without having
agreed on any ticket, and the New York
delegation express q feeling that Illinois
may eventually fall in line with them.
Tomorrow will be wholly devoted to the
discussion of good roads. Prominent men
from all over the country, who are advo-
Gates of good roads, have been invited to
deliver addresses Thursday mo no
assembly will begin work in earnest. The
morning session will begin at 10 o'clock and
the reports of officers will be passed upon.
heretofore these reports have always been
rendered, but in view of shortening the time
thus consumed, they have this year been
printed anC copy has been given to each
delegate, which will eliminate the necessity
Of reading. A recess will then be taken
I'LL 2 O'Clock, at which time the election of
ofhcerS Will take place. After that the
assembly Will take up different questions
Tor final discussion The principal question
Will be that of the proposition to grant To-
cal option to the different divisions for Sun
DAY racing. vast majority of the MEM
DerS at large have expressed themselves as
not being in favor of Sunday racing, while
a small minority consider it would be bet
ter. male vote of the Missouri division
was recently taken and the result was
bare majority in favor of it, whereas, it
was expected there would be almost
unanimous expression in favor of it. Just
what the assembly will decide upon is a
matter of speculation among the delegates.
provements of the League of American
Wheelmen held a protracted conference to-
day with Otto Dorner, of Milwaukee, in
the chair. Besides the chairman there were
only three other members of the national
committee present. They were A. B.
Choate, of Minnesota; Wallace Sherwood, of
Indiana, and w. A. Connolly, of Illinois.
The following resolution was adopted:
I'VE, the national committee on highway
improvements of the l.. A. w. in meeting
assembled in conference with the chairman
of various state highway committees. heart
lily indorse the recommendation of General
Ray Stone to Postmaster General Gary
suggesting the loaning of funds of the pro-
posed postal savings banks to States and
municipal corporations for the construction
of wagon roads, thereby investing the small
savings of postal savings depositors in
manner they cannot otherwise loan them,
and at lower rate of interest than can be
secured for road purposes. and at the same
time distributing the funds to the more
sparsely-settled portions of the country in
stead of congesting it in money centers."