The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-14
The Lively Campaign Of the Cham.
Der Of Commerce Building AS
ISOLATION Yesterday.
An Election Of Much Interest, in
Which the Victors Win the
Battle.
Tho Omcers and Trustees to Serve During
the Ensuing Year-The Judges Re-
ject Telcs graphic Proxies.

Agreeable TO annOuncement, the Cnam-
Der of Commerce Building association held
an election yesterday. The polls were
opened at 10 a. m. and every member de-
slrous of voting was accorded an opportu-
nifty between that hour and p. m. A
good deal of interest was manifested in the
result and an active canvass made. It was
the day upon which officers and trustees
were to be elected for the ensuing year.
Two tickets were in the field and the con-
test was sharp and lively. Where mem
beers were out of town proxies were secured
and voted, except in the case of Messrs.
Broadwater, Cory and Cole, who were alb
sent in the east. Messrs. Cory and Cole
are members of the committee sent on by
the Board of Trade and Chamber of Com
merce in the interest of the Castle rail
road. They telegraphed proxies to friends
here, but the judges refused to admit
them on the ground that all proxies must
be signed by the members from whom they
were received. Considering the fact that
these men were selected by the citizens OF
them in an important matter in which the
city is deeply interested, it is thought by
many that it would have been graceful
thing on the par of the judges to have adj
nitted their votes. Bnt the election was
conducted in the manner of political
campaign and no favors we're shown.
. Out of membership of 96 there were n
votes cast. The election was held in the
Chamber of Commerce rooms, basement OF
the Power block, and was presided over by
g. M. Huffaker. E. G. Richards, Joe Davis
and Jno. 8. M. Neill, Judge Armitage act
ing in the place of Secretary Bradford, who
was absent.
The vote for president resulted in the
election of E. w. knight, who received Al
votes. DIR. G. X. Cole ran second with 81
votes. Scattering, 2.
First vice president-John T. Murphy re-
ceived "A votes and was declared elected.
Second vice president-Joe Davis received
46 votes and G: K. Wells ~; scattering,
Treasurer Muth, 43; L. G. Phelps,
Secretary-Bernard Brown, 4s;F. r. Wal
lace, %.
Auditing committee-W. E. Cox, VIM. A.
Chessman, j. w. Thompson. There was no
opposition to this committee.
The board of trustees consists of nine
members, including the president, secretary
and treasurer. The vote on the remaining
six resulted in the election of the following:
A. j. Davidson, T. Fl. Kleinschmidt, @. K.
Wells, Donald Bradford, E. w. Bach, G. K.
Cole.
The question of the validity of the cleo
tion has been called in question by some,
but whether there is any ground for it re-
mains to be seen. It is held by some OF
the members that the building association
has no authority to elect any officers except
trustees. If that view of the case is found
to be correct then the election don't amount
to a row of pins, and will have to be held
over again simply for the election Of nine
trustees, who will choose officers. Others
say the election is legally correst in every
way, az provided by law and the bylaws OF
the association and is bound to stand.
In any event it is to be hoped the associa-
ton will get down to business, select a
building site and erect large, fine build
ing that will be a credit to the association
and to the city and state. Much good can
be accomplished by the Chamber of Com
merce if jealousy and discord are sup
pressed in favor of harmony and peace,
and all pull together for the best interests
of the city and the state. In this way the
power of the Chamber of Commerce and
the Bnilding Association, (Which is virtual
~ the same thing) will be great and can &C
complish many needful things.