The Wheel: Journal of Bicycling, Vol 4, No 12
Articles in this issue
- The official organ's standing front-of-book directory and membership-application instructions, listing the Board of Officers (President Dr. N. M. Beckwith, Corresponding Secretary Fred Jenkins, Treasurer W. V. Gilman), the standing committees, and the chief consuls and representatives for each state and province.
- Treasurer W. V. Gilman of Nashua notifies all League members that their annual assessment is now due, to be remitted to the Division Treasurer in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Michigan and to the General Treasurer of the League elsewhere.
- Advises clubs wanting a position in League parades or delegate representation at conventions to embody a model 'League Membership' clause in their by-laws, paying members' initiation fees from the club treasury.
- Standing list of railroads that carry bicycles free in baggage cars for first-class ticket holders (Baltimore & Ohio, Grand Trunk, Pennsylvania Company, Chicago & Alton and many more), with transportation-charge rates and a warning from R.R. Committee chairman B. B. Ayers against baggagemen who illegally charge for free-carried wheels.
- List of 42 applicants for League membership published for objection under Article III of the Constitution, grouped by club — including the Trumbull, Chelsea, Brunswick, Leominster, Greenfield, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Chicago clubs and unattached riders.
- Roll of 162 League members renewing for the week ending June 16, 1883 by membership number and address, including large groups from the Rutland, Greenfield, Meteor, Detroit and Marietta clubs and the Citizens' and Philadelphia bicycle clubs.
- President N. Malon Beckwith formally declares the amended and revised rules of the L.A.W. carried after a mail vote of the Board of Officers, publishing the full revised rules covering officers, meetings, committees, elections, and membership requirements.
- A detailed account of the June 15, 1883 convention at Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia, to organize the Pennsylvania State Division of the L.A.W., at which Victor M. Haldeman of the Marietta Bicycle Club was elected Secretary and Fred McOwen of the Pennsylvania Bicycle Club was elected Treasurer.
- A letter from C. H. Wilkins, Chief Consul of New Hampshire, asserting that New Hampshire's 'League of N.H. Wheelmen' — formed at Portsmouth on September 18, 1882 — was the first L.A.W. state organization, predating the adoption of the term 'State Division.'
- Notice from C. H. Wilkins and E. M. Gilman calling N.H. L.A.W. members to a meeting on July 3rd at the Hotel Windsor, Manchester, to adopt by-laws, elect officers, rename the body the 'New Hampshire Division,' and plan the Second Annual Meet.
- Chief Consul H. S. Livingston calls Ohio League members to a meeting in Columbus on August 27th to organize a permanent State Division and elect officers, with C. J. Krag appointed Secretary pro tem and D. E. Barnum Treasurer pro tem.
- Secretary Harold Serrell of the New Jersey Division asks all wheelmen in the state — whether League members or not — to send him a complete list of riders in their vicinity so he can compile a full state roster.
- Announcement that the L.A.W. annual meeting and two-day race tournament will be held at Columbus on August 27th, with the Executive Committee meeting at the Neil House on July 4th to arrange the programme.
- A humorous poem by 'Bett,' dedicated to the Albany (N.Y.) Bicycle Club, playfully depicting a trim club rider in his uniform, from his tiny moustache and drooping cap to his oversized 'gun-boat' shoes.
- Club news column covering upcoming fixtures, the Citizens' Bicycle Club annual meeting and election of officers (Rev. Thomas McKee Brown, President), formation of the Heights' Wheelmen of Brooklyn, and the Essex Bicycle Club's planned run from Newark to Long Branch on July 3rd.
- Report on the Manhattan Athletic Club's spring meeting at their new Eighty-sixth Street grounds, including a two-mile bicycle handicap race won by R. G. Rood of the Ixion B.C. in 8 minutes 38 seconds, with the soft, unfinished track hampering fast times.
- Correspondent 'Namalos' reports that Cleveland club runs have been well attended despite bad weather, previews the second annual club race meeting at Perkins' track on June 27th with five events open to Cleveland Bicycle Club members, and notes the rapid growth of cycling in the city since 1879.
- Standing editorial notice directing League members to send all League correspondence to Corresponding Secretary Fred Jenkins rather than the paper's office, to keep their addresses current, and to sign contributions confidentially with full name and nom de plume.
- The editors urge League members to return their Mail Vote No. 2 ballots before the July 25th deadline, explaining the proposed amendments to the Constitution and Rules — including abolishing the 50% club initiation-fee reduction, adjusting state representation thresholds, and revising the amateur definition to bar paid teachers of bicycling.
- S. S. McClure, editor of The Wheelman, warns wheelmen that Harry Lacey is not in their employ and is not authorized to solicit subscriptions or collect money for the magazine, noting that credentials he carries are forgeries and that money he collected has never been remitted.
- An untitled humorous gossip column on the New York wheel scene — likening the growing League to a broad river, dismissing Mr. Carpenter's offer of a wooden league per the Bicycling World, noting Dick Garvey's white-holly club letters for the Ixions and the new 'tug of war on bicycles,' and spinning a mock tale of a mysterious stranger awaiting a famous Rudge at the Battery.
- Excerpts from the L.A.W. banquet held after the New York Meet, including a speech by Mr. Pratt on parks access for cyclists in Philadelphia, Newport, Boston, and Chicago, and a welcoming address by General Viele of the New York Park Commissioners praising wheelmen as the 'manhood of America.'
- Miscellaneous news items: Riverside Drive opened to L.A.W. members for evening rides; Prince and Higham sign articles for a three-race series at $250 a side for the championship of America; Jacob G. Slink of Lancaster rides three miles in 17 min. 36½ sec.; and advance notice of the Kings County Wheelmen's first annual race meeting.