New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-05-13
THE TRACT SOCIETY.

The proceedings at the annual meeting Of the
American Tract Society, IA repOrte IN our yester-
days paper, afford curious commentary upon the
frarkness and sincerity Of those who 50 bitterly
denounced tue proxy bill lately before the Lgisla-
ture. That bill was spoken Of US - weapon for
" subjugaing religious society an attempt t.
l." draeoon Il missionary association Inc adVO-
cafes Of the present order Of things in the Ameri-
can Tract Society, if they have the slightest sense
Of shame left ought one would think, to be little
careful how they talk about subsection aud dra-
cooning A more thorough specimen OF attempted
drap0ohing and subsection than was exhibited ar
the meeting on Wednesday, it would be very diff
cult TO find though, thank Heaven, il was not gu
tireIy successful. Not TammaDy Hall itself WAS
ever The scene of more thorough specimen Of the
attempted enforcement Of gig law than was the
Acudcm, Of Music on that occasion.
The opponents Of the proxy bill employed as
tl,ir cliel, in fact almost their sole argument
against it. the suggestio that to allow vote by
proxy would deprive the society of all the benefits
OF preliminary discussion; that all questions to
come before the meetings would be decided before
baud and all att. mpts Oh the part of the members
present to inform aud rnlighten each other frus-
trait. and forestalled Aud what opportunity is al
lowed. under the existing system, TO the nein-
beers present at the meetings, to enlighten each
other by public discussion Those who wish tor
light on that question are referred Ia the proceed
ings of the society at their annual meeting as IT.
reported in Wednesdays papers. There was
evidently fsed determination on the part OF the
majority present TO prevent any discussion OF any
suggestions on the part OF anybody not on their
sde-a determination in which the presiding
officer shared and which was carried out not only
BY raising questions Of order and by making mo-
lions TO lay upon the table, but by drowning the
voices of the obnoxious speakers by shouts, Kisses,
and the most uuseemly noises.
1t was only with the greatest difficulty, aud
through the interference of one Of the majority
not holly lost to all sense OF decency and fairness,
that the Rev Dr. Patton obtained hearing for a
resolution which he proposed TO offer. But this
resolution, when with difficulty it was got before
the meeting. was promptly disposed of on ques-
tion Of order; and when it was again offered by
the Rev. DR.. Wocott in shape TO evade that OBJ
lection, that Rentleman's mouth WAS Immediately
closed BY another question of order-and all de-
bate thus efectuay prevented, and even the enter
tainment of the resolution the ground that il had
been orestaled by acutanddried resolution already
before the meeting, shout the election Of officers
Upon snnther resolution offered BY Mr Jay, the only
speech allowed Was one against It. by Mr.. Daniel
Lord, who closed with moving to lay Mr.. Jays
resolution on the table for the avowed purpose Of
cutting off any reply TO his speech-s msneuyer 10
which be succeeded.
1t evidently had been the intention TO hurry
through the business. and then to adjourn without
giving the minority any opportunity to get their
propositions before the meeting. But in this the
managers were defeated The Rev. Mr.. Wolcott
eontriyed, in the confusion which followed the
choking down of debate Mr.. jays resolution, TO
get possession of the door, and obliged the majority
TO NEE, the question of recommending 10 the
Publishing Committee the publication Of tract
calculated 20 arouse and concentrate the religious
sentiments Of Evangelical Christians against the
slave-trsde and to Get forth its wckedness before
the nation. The mover could not be prevented
from speaking Oh his resolution but re -oon Us Mr..