Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-05-16
O0k HtU Cemetery As oci0ftOn.
WATERFOWL, Nav Is, 1888.

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WATERFOWL, May Is, 1888.
MIR. EDrroR:-Notioing in your paper
last week the proceedings of the annual
meeting of Oak Hill Cemetery Associa-
ton, was led to make some inquiry as
to its transactions and found to my sur
prise that an effort was made to dis
place Daniel Hall and Theodore Prentiss
as trustees, without any known cause.
The meeting was but SHINY attended,
there being only ten persons present, FIVE
of whom were trustees whose duty it was
to be in attendance to make report of
last years business. The other five gen
tlemen participated in the preliminary
proceedings, all of which were harmoni-
Gus, and at the proper time the meeting
proceeded to the election Of two trustees,
the terms of Messrs. Hall and PrentIss
expiring at that time. On the first bal
lot there were votes cast, (Mr Hall de-
Ginning to vote) of which II. jacob re-
ceived and Mr.. Hall 4, and Mr.. Jacob
was declared elected. On the second
ballot the vote was unanimous for Mr..
Prentiss, although it is well known fact
that the intention of four OF those who
voted for Mr.. jacob WAS to also defeat
Mr.. Prentiss. A hitch in their programme.
however, prevented this result
Now, without intending any reflection
upon Mr.. jacob, | would like to know
why this move was made so secretly to
displace Mr.. Hall. For % years ne has
been a member of the board of trustees
and for more than half of the time it's
president. When the site OF the present
cemetery was purchased, he gave his
time freely and ungrudgingly to the in
vestigation of titles, the drawing of papers
and all the other details of the business
necessary to be done From that day to
this he has been faithful and vigilant Ia
the discharge of his duties as trustee
never having asked or received one cent
for his services, but laboring gratuitously
for the welfare of the association ana
striving in common with his associates
and others to make Oak Hill Cemetery
credit and an honor to the city That he
and they have succeeded every one
must admit. Now, the office OF trustee
is not particularly desirable nor honora
BILE, neither is is lucrative Nobody
covets it for either OF these considerations.
think 1t safe to say that Mr. Hall does
not. But as one in, crested in the GENE
terry and wishing only to have it's man
agement in safe and efficient hands, am
for continuing Mr.. Hall, or any one else
as faithful as he has been, as trustee, lust
so long IS he will consent to serve. The
association cannot afford to dispense with
his services. Doubtless Mr.. jacob would
make good trustee, as many other gen.
gentlemen whom could name would. but
1t bodies no good to the association when
few, no matter what their motive NAV
be, attempt to carry an election as Mr..
Jacobs friends did last week. No com.
plant, that | am aware of, has been made
of Mr.. Hall or the board. There has been
no malfeasance in office. Politics, ma
tionality and other considerations which
sometimes sway men in their choice OF
officers, should have no place in the
meetings of the association. It is desira.
bic to have harmony, good feeling and
unity OF action, as there Is unity of inter
ests. Hence I,deprecate any such spirit as
was manifest at the meeting whose doings
| am considering; and [ am thankful that
the attempt to do-an unjust and inexcus-
able act was thwarted by the subsequent
| discovery that Mr.. jacob was ineligible
as trustee by reason OF not being the pro-
prietor of lot in the cemetery. He had
not even the.right to a vote, the law declar-
ing that voters, as well as trustees, must be
lot-owners, to entitle them to that priv.
lege. But for this provision of law, Mr..
Hall would have been the victim of a
piece of sharp practice which I am sure
no friend of fair play, or well-wisher of
the cemetery association, can for me-
ment justify. Respectfully yours.
A. B. G..