The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-03-09
REDWOOD FALLS MAR. 9, 1898.
This was largely due to the distance
of the secretary from postoffice. In

This was largely due to the distance
of the secretary from postoffce. In
common with many other members l
felt that it would be to the interest of
the company to locate, if possible, the
Office of the company within easy
reach of the daily mail. With this end
in view l wrote to the State Insurance
Commissioner asking if the secretary's
Office could be legally taken from the
town of Vail and if SO what action
should be taken. In reply received
a letter stating that there was nothing
in the law preventing such removal
and all that would be necessary was a
vote of the directors. But Mr.. Long
bottom denies that such directors
were elected and quotes Sec. No. 348.
The directors of such company so
formed shall be chosen by ballot at
the annual meeting thereof and every
person shall have one vote for each
two hundred dollars for which he or
she may be insured. would call his
attention to the same section as
amended by the statutes of 1889 which
reads as follows: 1.-The directors of
such company so formed shall be
chosen by ballot at the annual meet
ing thereof, which shall be held on
the first Tuesday in January in each
year, unless otherwise determined by
majority of the voters in such COM
pany. And every person insured shall
have one vote, but no person shall be
allowed to vote by proxy at such cleo
ton, excepting woman" His state
ment as to the method employed in
the election of directors is true in part;
but misleading. In accordance with
request of member present. seven
names were written on slip of paper
passed around and discussed. The
names were T. D. Barber, T. L. Gil
bert, James Longbottom. ST., Mr..
Price, Martin Bredwold, VIM. Steele
and A. D. Stewart. Finding that Mr..
Price was not member of the COM
pany G. H. Struckman's name was in
serted. l withdrew my name and the
name of j. r. Lankerd was put on the
paper; and then the usual motion was
made that the secretary cast the bal
lot of the company declaring T. D..
Barber, T. L. Gilbert, James Long
bottom, G. HI. Struckman, Martin
Bredwold, J. R. Lankerd and A. D.
Stewart elected for the ensuing year,
which he did.
l consider Mr.. Longbottom's COM
munication entirely uncalled for and
feel it was done with malicious in
tent, and is deserving the criticism of
all'who have interest of the company
at heart. Inasmuch as all his alleged
irregularities existed while he was
secretary and that he did not make
them public until losing his office 1
feel that he was actuated by personal
motives. If Mr.. Longbottom is still
secretary, as he claims, why did he
give up the books? And why did he
not make the annual statement to the
State Insurance Commissioner which
he refused to do on the ground that
he was not secretary. He was secre-
tary last year and it was his duty to
make the report whether he was re-
elected or not. Now to my mind a
man holding any responsible position,
who refuses to do his duty because he
is put out of Office, or can not have
his own way, in everything is not
worthy of any position, and I think
that one act fully justifies me in de-
string change of secretary.
VIM. STEELE,
Ex-President Farmers Mutual Fire
Insurance Co. Ct Town of Vail.