California Associated Cycling Clubs

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The following important address to the cycling clubs of California explains itself and is commended to the careful consideration of the wheelmen:

The San Francisco Bicycle Club begs leave to suggest to the cycling clubs of California the advantage of forming an association similar to the Metropolitan Association of Cycle Clubs of New York and Brooklyn, and the associated clubs of Philadelphia, Chicago and New Jersey.

The fundamental idea underlying this proposed federation of cycling clubs is harmony. It has been apparent that a certain spirit of dissension is a broad among a few clubs. If allowed to continue, it may work disastrously to the best interests of cycling in this state. Realizing the necessity for united action in all matters pertaining to the advancement of our ennobling sport, we cannot but urge upon such clubs as have differences to lay aside selfish prejudice in this instance, and strike hands with us on this common ground; to look through the mist of petty bickerings, chiefly of local interest as we understand it, and see the grand future for cycling interests in our beautiful State. This may be gained only by concerted and thoroughly harmonious action.

The objects of the proposed association may be stated in part as follows:

To promote friendly relations among the clubs and co-operation in all matters relating to the advancement of cycling and the work of the L. A. W.

To establish and contest championships, to be known as Pacific Coast Championships, at distances other that those at which championships have been fixed by the L. A. W.

To assume control of, regulate and legislate for road racing in California, and to receive and pass upon all claims for records made on the road to competition or against time, at stated distances or between certain well-known points.

Outer lines of usefulness, it is reasonable to assume, will be indicated as the work of the association progresses.

Mr. C. H. Luscomb, president of the Metropolitan Association of New York and Brooklyn, and an ex-president of the L. A. W., speaking of his association, says: “One of the features of the association is a committee on political action, and I have no doubt that when thoroughly organized some excellent results may be reached, to my mind its advantageous to wheelmen to make such organizations wherever there is an opportunity to bring the clubs together. And it cannot help being an advantage to the L. A. W."

By the political action, to which Mr. Luscomb refers, is meant exerting an influence where practicable in the election of municipal and legislative officers who favor highway improvement, and such would very properly be a feature of a California association; while among the social features to be considered are an annual century run and an annual parade of the clubs.

If favorably impressed with this suggestion, you are cordially invited lo send three delegates to confer with a like number of delegates from this and and other clubs that may respond hereto, at the home of the San Francisco club, 501 Golden Gate avenue, corner Polk street, on the evening of Saturday, July 30, 1892, at 8 o'clock.

A large personal representation is desired, but it is suggested that a delegate be allowed to hold and vote the proxies of one or more members of his delegation, and that distant clubs who find it impossible to be represented in person send their proxies to the secretary of the club with instructions, such proxies to be used as the delegates present at the meeting may determine.

The address is signed by a committee consisting of L. D. Owens, Dr. J. C. Spencer and Thomas S. Cobden.

CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE. - The San Francisco Call - Jul 18, 1892

An attempt is being made to form a new association in this State. The objects of the association are: To promote friendly relations among the clubs; and co-operation in all matters relating to the advancement of cycling and the work of the League of American Wheelmen.

To establish and contest championships, to be known as Pacific Coast championships - at distances other than those at which championships have been fixed by the League of American Wheelmen.

To assume control of, regulate and legislate for road racing in California, and to receive and pass upon all claims for records made on the road in competition or against time, at stated distances or between certain well-known points.

A meeting will be held at 501 Golden Gate avenue, San Francisco, July 30th, at 8 o'clock.

THE WHEELMEN. - Oakland Tribune - July 20, 1892

FEDERATION OF WHEELMEN.

Combination of the Bicycle Clubs of California.

In response to a call issued by a committee of the San Francisco Bicycle Club, the oldest association of wheelmen in the State, a largely attended meeting was held last night at the rooms of that organization on Golden Gate avenue. The following clubs were represented, either by the three delegates to which each was entitled or by proxies: Bay City Wheelmen, Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club, Olympic Club Bicycle Annex, San Francisco Bicycle Club, Capital City Cycle Club of Sacramento, Fresno Wheelmen, San Jose Road Club, California Cycle Club, Pacific Road Club, Alameda County Wheelmen, Oriental Cyclers and Monterey Bicycle Club. After considerable preliminary conversation the meeting was called to order, and T. R. Knox, president of the San Francisco Bicycle Club responded to a unanimous call to act as temporary chairman, M. S. Lavenson of Sacramento being chosen as temporary secretary. After remarks by Mr. Knox and R. Welch explanatory of the objects for which the meeting was called, a draft of the proposed by-laws was read in order to invite discussion.

Brief but spirited and pertinent addresses were then wade by Messre. Dunnigan, Mastick, Lavenson, Wynne and Cobden. President Wynne of the California Club was especially happy in his remarks, touching lightly on recent club conflicts, which were more imaginary than real, and strongly urging all the organizations to act as unit in future. Thomas S. Cobden spoke in his usual humorous vein, but dealt largely in facts and closed by pointing out the necessity of all the clubs joining the League of American Wheelmen.

Harry Greene of Monterey, one of the veterans of the league on this coast, explained the advantages of membership in such powerful organization. A. H. Greeley of Fresno pledged the support of the San Joaquin Valley to the scheme of a federation of clubs.

Telegrams and letters were received from several far distant clubs regretting their inability to be represented at the convention, but heartily approving of the idea.

The sentiment of the meeting was unanimously in favor of forming an organization to be known as the California Associated Cycling Clubs. Secretary Lavenson stated that it would be impossible for him to act further than on this occasion, and H. T. Wynne was chosen in his stead. After considerable desultory discussion, which revealed a pleasant spirit of harmony, the meeting adjourned, to meet next Saturday night at the Bay City clubhouse on Van Ness avenue.

The evident success of the recently proposed scheme for a closer federation of the wheelmen of California marks the beginning of a new and more progressive era in the annals of cycling op the Pacific Coast.

Formation of the California Associated Cycling Clubs - The San Francisco Call - 31 Jul 1892

The success of the meeting held on Saturday night at the San Francisco Clubhouse, at which preliminary steps were taken in the formation of an association of California clubs, is most gratifying to all who have the best interests of wheeling at heart. The utmost harmony prevailed, and it is hoped and expected that the few clubs not represented will send delegates to the next meeting, which will be held in the parlors of the Bay City Wheelmen on Saturday evening, August 13. The most important work done at the first meeting was the adoption of the following articles of association, subject, of course, to revision by the various clubs to which they will be officially submitted as soon as permanent organization is effected:

In order to promote the general welfare and usefulness of cycling clubs, and to secure harmony of action, together with the practical benefits to be derived from personal acquaintance and association and from the consideration of subjects of importance to the cycling interests of this state, especially in order to foster and encourage the growth of the League of American Wheelmen within this State, and to cooperate with that organization in creating public sentiment in favor of highway improvement and in influencing legislation favorable thereto; and in order to encourage racing both on the path and road - first, by establishing and contesting championships to be known as Pacific Coast championships, and second, by assuming control of regulating and legislating for road-racing within this state, and by receiving and passing upon all claims for records made on the road, whether in competition or against time, at stated distances or between certain well-known points - a federation of the cycling clubs of California is formed by the adoption of the following articles of association:

Article 1. The name of this association shall be the California Associated Cycling Clubs.

Article 2. Any cycling club within the State of California may become a member of this association upon the payment of such annual dues as shall be provided by the by-laws, subject to the approval of a majority of the board of governors; and any club may be expelled from this association upon a vote of two-thirds of those present in person and by proxy at any regular meeting of the board of governors.

Each club shall, prior to the 10th day of August in each year, elect three delegates to the board of governors.

Article 3. The administration of the affairs of the Association shall be vested in a board of governors consisting of three delegates from each club, to be elected annually as hereinbefore provided. It shall have the power to make bylaws for the guidance of the association and to generally direct and decide to all matters not provided for in this constitution.

The officers of this association shall be a president, two vice-presidents and a secretary-treasurer, to be elected annually by the board of governors at its first meeting after the 10th day of August.

Article 4. At any meeting of the board of governors a delegate may hold and vote the proxies of one or all of the other delegates from his club, and a delegate may give his proxy to the secretary-treasurer with instructions as to use, and a proxy so given shall be voted only in accordance with such instructions.

Article 5. There shall be the following standing committees of the association, each to consist of three members, and, except as otherwise ordered, to be appointed by the president, subject to the confirmation of the board of governors: Executive and finance, to consist of the president and the two vice-presidents; membership and inter-club relation, rules and regulations, political action, championships, road racing and records.

Article 6. These articles of association can be altered or amended only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the clubs of the association.

CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE. - The Steady Growth of the New California Club. - Articles of Association of the Proposed Federation - The Enterprising Acmes - Sunday Runs - The San Francisco Call, 01 Aug 1892

The L. A. W. has a formidable war on its hands. Many of the Western delegates to the annual meeting, at Albany, feel they were mistreated and that the Eastern divisions did not give proper consideration to the interests of Western wheelmen. There is strong talk of secession in Colorado, Utah, California and other Western States, and it looks as if a formidable Western league might soon be organized.

The proposed split comes mainly on the rock of Sunday racing. E. S. Hartwell, ex-treasurer of the L. A. W., has stirred up the Denver wheelmen and several important meetings have been held.

The L. A. W. leaders in Northern California are badly divided on the subject of secession. While many prominent men favor a split, others are as strongly against it. H. F. Wynne, vice consul for the California division, is strongly in favor of the organization of a Western league, and of severing connection with the L. A. W. He says the league membership last year cost California $598, from which not one cent's worth of benefit was derived.

George Stratter of the local Racing Board, and Stanley Scoveren, secretary-treasurer of the Caliíornia division, agree with him. On the other hand, A. P. Swain, president of the California Associated Cycling Clubs, and G. C. Strong, the first league member in the State, are in favor of maintaining the league intact. Swain declares if the matter were submitted to a vote the L. A. W. members would decide to stay with the old organization. The racing men generally favor secession. No immediate action on the matter is expected.

Several Western professional riders have started a boycott on the National meet of the L. A. W., to be held in Philadelphia, and it is difficult to see how all this dissension is to be healed.

Recreation, Volume 6, 1897, page 297

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