The morning call., 1893-06-11
THE INSTITUTE.
1t Maintains the New
Election System.
President HaIlidie Will Endeayor to
Obtain Chicago Exhibits for
the Next Fair.

At the meeting of the Mechanics Insti-
tute last evening a vigorous attack was
made on the proportional or preferential
system of electing directors, which was
adopted last winter. The opponents OF the
system were routed in the first charge.
Under this system cne-seventh of the
members can elect director, and the mi
nority have representation on the board
Ii was opposed because the plan was in
tricate and experimental, and because the
legality of the method is questioned.
When The order of new business was
reached Irwin C. Stump made a lively
onslaught on the system, which was as
warmly defended.
Ii was moved that the matter of changing
the constitution should be laid on the
table.
The question is not debatable." said
President Hallidie. "All in favor"
Il wish TO say IA few words" shouted a
member
"Out OF ORDER" remarked the president.
y ou spring the gag law very suddenly
persisted The member.
The president refused to hear any fur
ther discussion and the members refused
to make any change in the manner of
election by standing vote of 60 to 49,
President Haliidie read an address in
which he briefly outlined the work of the
institute in the past and spoke hopefully
for the future.
The address contained the following
passages:
While the institute Is the possessor of yaIu
able and desirable property In this city, it Is
moi In the possession OF funds sufficient TO carry
on iis Work, as II owes on mortgages 500, 900
and S5676 TO the bank. The receipts from The
membership roll have never, except during the
last year. been sufficient to pay he exp nses
connected Herewith. The receipts from all
lesouic ces for the past ten years have been
SlSS.S96 81, and the EXPENSES have been
s2lo,ol4 %, leaving deficit of S29.617 54,
ana the deficiencies have been made good from
the profits Of the fairs. The citrus fair Melted
loss of about S2500.
The growth of the institute has been rapid
ana substantial. Ten years ago the member
ship was o: to-day IL Is 5O97. The annual
circulation OF books ten years age was 81 AGA ):
to-day is I52, ,709 The volum in the library
| 63,575. "'s
An amendment to the constitution was
offered. which will be considered at the
next meeting, relating to the manner in
which changes in the constitution may be
made and providing that six months II olice
must be given.
PRESIDENT Hallidie also stated that he
was soon to leave for Chicago, and he
wouid See what exhibits could be obtained
Tor the annual fair next fall. The base
ment ~ the library building is to be
utliized for library purposes and an archi-
tect mas been employed to prepare plans
ior the Pavilion lot. The Folsom-street
los may be leased. but it has been decided
not to sell it,
Ihe president favors the appointment of
some bank as treasurer of the institute
anu thinks that a monthly paper should be
punished as the official organ of the
organization
| The election of Joseph Leggett as
member OF the board OF trustees was ap-
proved. After some scattered remarks by
members. during which it was stated that
the institute is paying $500 mon tn inter-
est on the purchase price of the Folsom
strect lot, the meeting adjourned