Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-21
NO. ll2
Plus NINTH.
The Other Side of the Organization Present
Their Case to the Public.

The Other Side of the Organization Present
Their Case to the Public.
To the Editor of the Globe:
ST. PAUL, April 90. The officers and members Of
Plus Ninth Benevolent society feel very indignant at
the tissue of lies and misrepresentation with which
the account Of the commencement Of suit instituted
by Mr.. McManus and two or three special friends Of
his who have the astounding presumption to arrogate
to themselves the title of Plus the Ninth society.
The society wishes the public to form its opin
ion from statement of the facts Of the case. The
society leased the hall No 80 East Third street for
twelve months, from December l, 1873. Upon ex-
piraton of lease Mr. Alfis, the gentleman who acts
as agent for the owner of the property, who lives
East, suggested that the society should continue at
the old rental until the 1st of April 1880, and then
take new lease for or two years, at a specified
sum per annum. This the society prepared to
do. Time passed on until the March meeting,
when, on question coming up, Mr.. H. II. Athey,
particular friend of Mr.. McManus, the president at
that time arose and said the society does not know
what it is doing. This hall belongs to me. This was
news to the members and several oflhem next morn
ing went to the Office of Mr.. Lorenzo Alis and asked
the term of the lease. They informed that the
hall was leased to Messrs P. II. McManus and II. II.
Athey, whereupon meeting of the board Of direct
ors was held aad it was decided to call meeting Of
the officers of the society at the hall beneath the Ca
thedral. Said meeting was held, the Rev. John
Stanley in the chair. Before proceeding to business
the McIanus party introduced resolution the ef-
feet that whatever determination should be arrived at
should be final and binding on all parties. Carried
unanimously. The meeting resolved that the lease
should be turned over to the society by Messrs Nc
Manus and Athey and committee was appointed to
receive the same at the rooms Of the Rev John
shaney spiritual director OF the society, but next
morning the committee waited and waited and no
one came to. turn over said lease. Mr.. II.
H. Athey was waited upon and he
refused most positively to turn over the lease to said
society unless he could dictate certain conditions.
Thereupon Mr.. P. II. Drum, chairman Of the board
of directors of said society, consulted with his
brother officers and they concluded TO ask the presi
dent to call special meeting of the society to con-
slider what should be done about the hall. Knowing
the sentiment of the society In the matter he abso
lutely refused whereupon the board of rectors In
structed the secretary to call special meeting and
every member was notified by postal card. Some
fifty attended the meeting and on motion of Mr..
John Bell and 5Ir. O'Halloran it was unanimously re-
solved to appoint committee to hi hall for the
society to hold its meetings Ia. The Grand Army
hall leased and the society held its regular meet
ing the first Thursday of this present MONTH There
was about seventy-Ave members present and the ac-
ton of the board of directors in calling the special
meeting and taking issue against the attempted
OF authority assumed by Messrs. McAianus
and Athey was enthusiastically endorsed by the
unanimo voice of the meeting.
resolution of course was passed on Mr.. II. Fl.
Athey for his conduct in the matter, Not being an
officer no other course was taken in his case.
Charges were preferred against Mr.. McManus, the
president of the society, and he stands suspended
until next regular meeting, and temporary presi-
dent was appointed. On the same evening Mr.. Nc
Manus Mr.. Athey and few others numbering some
Is to 18 met in the old hall and of course denounced
the meeting of the society held in the new hall
being illegal the special meeting, not having been
called by the high and mighty P. H. NcManus in
person was not to be considered meeting of the
society. The meeting in the new hall was attended
by the secretary and treasurer, and four out of five
Of the board of directors the
chairman of the investigating
and all the officers, with but two three
exceptions.
Mr.. McManus called, what he is pleased to desig-
nate special me- citing of the society He notified
few cronies of his also chairman of the board Of
directors, secretary and to meet in the old
hail. stating that if the officers of the society did not
come their seats would be declared vacant. He dared
not attempt to call meeting Of the society," for he
knew he would be badly left, so some thiIteen or
fourteen met the old hall, and affected to displace
he socie y's officers, with such as would
suit Mr.. H. & McManus & Co., and now have
he audacity to call upon the duly elected officers OF
he society to turn books money and charter to
hem.
Such, Mr. Editor, is a true and unvarnished state
nent of the trouble in Plus Ninth Benevolent So
,iety. Con. CASEY, President pro tenn.
P. H. DRUM, Chairman Board of Directors.
M. D. SULLIVAN,
a JAMES FINN, Board OF Directors,
49, WALTER ]. WEIGH
II. w. BELL, Secretary.
THos.C. CONWAY, Treasurer.
Il. CUMMINGS, Marshal.
JOHN W. CARTMELL, Ex-Secretary and Treas.