The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-11-10
A VERY STORMY MEETING.
Vote Taken at the Last rleeting
ReCOnsidered.
CHARGES TO BE BROUGHT,
Fears of Damage Suit Induce the
Society to Proceed by That
Method.

The greater part of last nights session
of the Society of California Pioneers was
taken up in discussing the question OF
striking the name of Hubert 81. Bancroft
from the rolls of the society. A lively
controversy was developed during the con-
sideration of the matter. one member
going so far as to say that the historian
had friends In the meeting who we're try
ing TO snow the matter under because the
former action of the society had Injured
the sale of Bancroft's historical work.
At the last previous meeting of the Pho
neers resolution was adopted striking
the name of III. Fl. Bancroft from the rolls.
DR.. Simpson thought this action was pre-
mature aud would give the deposed his
tOrian grounds for suit for damages,
and therefore gave notice that he would
move to reconsider the vote at the meeting
held last night. The meeting was very
largely attended, as bitter fight on the
motion to reconsider was Anticipated.
In moving reconsideration DIR. Simpson
said that the action taken last month was
not according to the laws OF the society.
and he for one did not propose to have the
matter 90 on record as the deliberate
action of the society. He was followed by
Mr.. Won Schmidt and w. B. Parnell, who
spoke in much the same vein.
Captain Swasey represented the Oppo-
sition. and. in long address, attempted to
show his fellow-members how the best in
teres.s of the organization would be served
by branding Bancroft and his works with
every possible degree OF odium. He said
that the historian had outraged every
memory dear to the hearts Of the men who
had cut their paths into the wilderness in
early days, and it was little enough that
such a man should be dishonorably dis
missed from the order to which he had
been elected an honorary member.
5. W. Holl aday was in favor of a recon-
sideration Of the vote, and in support of
his opinion said:
1.-THE merits or dement's of Mr.. Ban
croft's conduct do not cut any figure in the
consideration OF this question. The aues-
ton is whether or not the action taken by
this body at its last meeting was legal. We
have a grievance. against member. and
we have now to consider whether we have
the right TO eXpunge his name from the
roll of honorary members. We know
Bancroft to be guilty. and we must now
find out how we can deal with him accord
ing to law.
was illegal, and furnishes the aggreved
party ample grounds for a damage suit.
Our constitution says that memb Der may
be expelled after a proper investigation
has been made. No such Investigation has
been undertaken. and until it Is Mr.. Ban
croft is as much a member of the society as
| am"
Judge Thompson said he could see no
sense in taking an action that any court
in the land would call frivolous and irreg-
ular. He thought the resolution as
adopted would make the society the laugh.
ing stock. not only of this community, but
of the world at large.
Here is a man." be continued. who
has been condemned without hearing.
We have made a certain set of laws for
our guidance and government and we
must follow them until hey are changed,
whether 1t suits us or not"
AT this point Captain Swasey attempted
to obtain the floor and refused to sit down
when told to do 80 by the chairman. lie
was informed that he could not run the
meeting to suit himself and unless ne
obeved the order of the chair he would be
asked to retire. No reply was made, but
the captain left the hall in high dudgeon.
The motion TO reconsider was then put
and was carried by an overwhelming ma
jorty.
Mr.. Farwell then moved that the resolu-
tion should be referred to committee Of
five, which should be instructed to prepare
charges against Mr.. Bancroft and report
at the December meeting. On this COM
mittee The chairman appointed DR.. Will
liam Simpson, James n. Taylor, James
Deering, Judge Thompson and S. w. Hol-
Iaday.
Very little routine business was trans
acted, the only matter of relative mpor-
lance being a notice from George d.
Dnrmer to the effect that he would at the
next regular meeting ask the board Of
directors to appropriate $500 for the pur-
chase of George FL. Burgess picture, "San
Francisco. July. 1919"
The meeting then adjourned.