The Portland daily press., 1886-01-01
hat moneys received were paid to the

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amount minus what the clerk had stolen.
Mr.. Rich said thathe had always worked to
make the society one of the best in the city
taking great pride in it and had taken meas
ures to detect any errors in the clerks ac
counts, balancing the books every night.
The cash in hand was compared with the re-
ceipts every day. All assessments received
were paid to the treasurer.
Mr.. Washington Libby asked that if the
Secretary knew the exact number of MEM
bers how the young man could deceive him
in the amount collected ON each death claim.
This was explained by the fact that the
membership was constantly changing
Mr.. Rich was asked what he intended to
do and replied that he should do what he
could, but could not treat with the society in
such meeting.
A member thought that the responsibility
rested with the auditing committees, who
have regularly reported Mr.. Rich's accounts
all right.
Mr.. NJ. G. Palmer. for the auditing CON-
mittee, explained that the committee had
examined only the Treasurer's accounts and
had done nothing with the Secretary's books.
1t would be impossible to audit the Secre-
tary's accounts without the receipts regularly
given to each member.
Mr.. VIM. Allen then made some remarks
in connection with the relations of Mr.. Rich
to the society. He began by abiding to the
scriptural reference to the virtue of charity
and then said:
Il stand here before you tonight to plead
in behalf of one who has been most cruelty,
cbomafI11lx and f0ullu md nnda1,-
stand me, gentlemen, tits without any knowl-
edge or solicitation on his part that am
here tonight, but am simply carrying out
what believe to be a duty to you and to my
self 1t is needless for me to say to you that
| allude to the great misfortune that has be-
fallen the Secretary of this Society. He
appears before you tonight with blasted
hopes, heart-broken, cast down, deeply
grieyed, and sorely afflicted A man who
has passed an honorable life among us; a
man who has always had the welfare and
interests of the city at heart; man who has
always worked hard to build up the re-
sources and capabilities of this city, and who
has done much to give her the proud position
she now holds throughout the civilized
world. That man, now, through misplaced
confidence, and by the raScality of another,
has been robbed Of thousands of dollars, for
which he is indebted to this society, and
make good. His honesty is unquestioned by
all of those who have investigated the mat
ter. But, say some of you, he should be
punished for the negligence and care
lessness that he has shown in this matter,
In that agree with you; but in the name of
all that is great and good, has not this man
suffered, from the first moment that this
great misfortune was laid open before him,
down to the present hour? | ask every man
of you to calmly look this matter over, and
if possible, imagine yourself placed in the
position in which he finds himself tonight.
He naturally looks to us for advice and
counsel. believe it is the solmen duty of
every man of us, to stand by him in the
great misfortune that he has met with, and
uphold him and sustain him in this great
calamity which has come over him."
Mr.. Allen then made the following propo-
sition. The secretary has been paid $3.50 a
year, which is now entirely inadequate, con-
sidering the amount of work required Mr..
Allen proposed that the salary be increased
to $500 year, and if Mr. Rich can give suf-
ticient bonds, he should be elected secretary,
with the proyiso that one-half of the money
be paid to the liquidation of the indebted
ness.
Mr.. Munger inquired as to who generally
made out the receipts for money paid in by
members.
Nj, Rich said that this was generally done
by his clerk.
Mr.. Donohue thought the meeting was
drifting from the subject matter and re-
newed his question to the secretary as to
what he proposed to do. The members of
the society had elected Mr.. Rich to his posi-
ton, he said, and demanded an explanation.
A member asked if the directors were not
empowered to proceed against Mr.. Rich's
bondsmen.
Mr.. Rich said the affair had come upon
him suddenly, and that he was not prepared
to make any statement at that time, even if
he considered it advisable to so do.
Mr.. J M. Mitchell moved that the presi-
dent, vice president and treasurer and two
members from the floor be appointed COM
mittee to investigate the condition of the So
ciety, ascertain the legal liability of Mr..
Rich, and consult with him as to what he
would do in the matter.
Judge Knight thought that an auditing
committee should be appointed to report in
detail the condition of the society. Until
that is done the society cannot act intelli-
gently.
Mr.. Mitchell said that he had intended to
move postponement of the election until
such report had been made.
A member suggested that committee be
appointed from the floor.
Judge Kingsbury said that the present
officers did not care to serve on that commit
tee, and it would be better that they should
not
Mr.. Gerrish offered an amendment to Mr..
Mitchell's motion, that the committee should
consist of five members chosen from the
floor. This amendment awas accepted, and
the motion was passed Byron d. Verrill,
Esq, Judge Peabody. Judge Knight, T. F.
Donohue and l.. A. Cloudy were chosen as
members of the committee.
Mr.. NJ G. Palmer moved that the commit
tee be authorized to fill vacancies. The
motion was carried. Mr.. Palmer also moved
that the committee prepare list of candi-
dates for officers for the ensuing year. The
motion was passed but the vote was subse-
quently reconsidered, and it was moved and
carried that committee of nomination be
chosen from the floor to nominate officers for
the ensuing year. Mr.. I. O'C. O'Donoghue was
nominated and elected by a vote of 1872 to SO
after several counts by the President and
committee appointed for the purpose, Messrs.
Frank Gerrish, Samuel Thurston, A. L.
as the remaining members Of the commit
tee
Mr.. O'Donoghue offered amendments to
the bylaws, removing the secretary and
treasurer from the board of directors and
providing for systematic auditing of the ac-
counts at short intervals. The amendments
were laid on the table for one month under
the rules
The bond of the secretary was fixed at
$4,000 for the ensuing year.
It was moved that when the meeting adj
journ it should be until Thursday eve
ming next when the committee on nomina-
ton will present their report and also the
committee appointed to confer with Mr..
Rich The meeting adjourned
The members during the evening frequent
ly applauded the views expressed by the diff
ferent speakers.
Irish National League.