The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-01-02
TIE ELM GROVE n. r. ELECrION.
A case that Rivals the Maine RmbrosIio
An Election that Didn't Elect.

A Case that Rivals the Maine EmbfoRIl0
An Election that Didn't Elect.
Pursuant to notice duly given, the stock.
holders OF the Elm Grove Railroad Com.
pany met in the Court House, in this city,
yes lerday OF i P. NJ, for the purpose Of
choosing Board Of Directors to seryefor
the ensuing year, and to transact such
other business as might properly come be.
fore the meeting. a majority Of the stock
was represented, and the holders seemed
inclined to take favorable view of the
situation and prospects Of the road. Va
rious informal discussions were had as to
the best means OF promoting the efficiency
of the road and keeping up its present
high stage Of popularity with the travel
ing public. The recent conflagrahon on
the line was considered, and several sug.
gestions made as 10 how the straw used in
the cars, and the seats OF the pantaloons
worn BY the drivers, could be rendered
non. com hustible, and the best means OF
making the road one OF the great trunk
lines OF the country, as well as preserving
It's status as the boss basket line, were
amicably debated. Everything portended
happy and harmonious transaction OF
the business which had called the meeting
together, and nobody anticipated that the
bright prospect would be brought to con-
fusion by any untoward happenings.
The meeting was finally called to order
and DR.. James L. Reeves was selected as
Chairman aud John II. Ewing, Esq, as
Secretary. After the consideration OF some
intervening matters an election oil Dtrec-
tors was opened in due and ancient form,
by the appointment Of Messrs. }. ii. Ew-
ing and j. NJ. Brown as tellers, and the
voting began. Here the first dissatisfac-
ton occurred. Mr.. I'D. CulberLson, who
held proxies for seventy,two shares, indi'
Gated his intention 10 cumulate his votes
on Col. O. G. Dewey and Major Dick Say
age. Col. Dewey Is the Jay Gould OF the
road, holding some seventy.two shares
and some Of the other stockholders, I'm.
Outstanding that Mr.. Culbertson held
proxies for these shares, got an idea into
their heads that Gould and Fisk combi
nation was being set up on them with Ma
Tor Dick MS the Fisk. The bulk OF them
wanted Gould in but would rather have
had Fisk out. Nevertheless, Mr.. gilbert
sons votes being sufficient 10 elect both
and he declining 10 change his determine
ton, there was no help for it, and those
opposed to the arrangement began to take
Steps 10 make sure OF the election OF otheI
particular Directors whom they favored
Sheriff Tingle, who held asolid bunch O.
proxies, announced his determination tc
cumulate them on Bishop Kahn, and Pres
ident Dubois friends manifested an iucli
nation to plump in his favor. Col. Parks
who was well heeled with proxies, spreaC
them around where he thought they
would do the most good, and the balance
banged away indiscriminRtely with theii
votes, scattering all over the list.
Most OF the voters after depositing thei
sutTrages went of TO make New Year,
calls or attend to other business, and 10
wards evening thsre were only eight Of
ten stockholders left in the meeting ever
counting the officers. The polls were still
open but the voting was slow and most o
those who remained thought they knew
how the election had gone in advance o
the announcement.
About this time Sheriff Tingle, who wa
not altogether satisfied with what b,
: thought was the situation, got up ant
offered resolution that the Directors o
the company, whoever they might be
should issue no passes to anybody for lre'
transportation hereafter.
Col. Parks thought this was nonsense
. He considered that q Director, forinstance
who was expected TO 60 over the road ant
keep himself posted as to the condition o
; the track, the dispositions OF the mules ant
the habits OF the drivers, ought to ride free
and it would be an imposition to compe
him 10 pay his fare while he was furnish
ing his services gratuitously to the com
pany. He thought the Sheriff must sure
" be joking, and appealed to him to with
draw his resolution.
Sheriff Tingle said he was never NOR
earnest in his life, and asked for a vote
The vote was taken, and Chairman
Reeves decided the resolution was car
ried.
Colonel Parks called for the ayes ant
noes.
Chairman Reeves-"You are too late. y
Paiks-"Then call for division"
Chairman are too late for that.
Some discussion ensued over the ques
ton OF Mr.. Parks tarliness, tho latter in
sisting that he was in plenty time enough
with his calls, but the chairman was obdu
rate, and Mr.. Parks finally raised tn,
question OF the legality OF the vote on tn,
resolution, there not being quorum o
the stockholders present at the time it wa
taken.
Chairman Rceves-"Well, II you rails,
that question, there has been no quorum
! present during the greater part OF tb'
time this election has been going on, ant
have my doubts about the election beini
legal either"
Sheriff Tingle-"I move we adjourn
'Chairman-"All those in favor OF ad
'ijourning cay Aye"
Ouartette-"Aye."
Chairman-"All those opposed say No.
Loud and indignant No, by quintette
quartette or trio OF male voices.
Chairman-"I declare this meeting ad
journed."
There were some further demands TO-
divisions, ayes and noes, fresh meeting
and other proceedings, but the Chairman
got up and walked off to attend To othel
business, and the Secretary after looking
wildly and vainly around him for aaft
counsel, pasted piece OF paper over The
nOle III Tue paIlut poA anu lolloWeu SUI
with the box under his arm.
TO say that this termination Of the meet,
ing caused commotion, Is to put itmildly.
Most OF those who departed early in the
afternoon after depositing their votes,
were astounded TO hear OF the turn things
had taken and thought the course used
by Chairman Reeves was worse than the
course OF Governor Garcelon in the Maine
difficulty. Some, however, thought he
was right, and that the meeting being left
without q quorum, there could be no
election and that the old Board Of Direct
ors would hold over. Others again pooh
poohed this idea, and instanced the con-
stantly recurring cases Of elections for
bank and insurance company directors,
where there are never but small pro.
portion OF stockholders p:esent at
any one time in the voting room and
A. ainnNFan nIhneN,taa nHAHns1,,