The morning call., 1894-07-18
WEIR EX-LLBRARIAN WILSON.
TRUSTEES LOSE THEIR TEMPER.


chances Institute ended in an uproar last
night when five members walked out to
prevent vote being taken on the motion
of Trustee Symmes to reinstate Librarian
Wilson, who was dismissed a few weeks
ago.
President Hallidie made a ruling sus-
tanning the propriety of the motion offered
by Mr.. Symmes that was offensive to the
five members who eft. and after the meet
ing closed ten members OF the institute
signed a letter calling upon the president
10 call a general meeting of the members
Of the institute to consider the presidents
ruling.
The walkout was prefaced by a very
spirited session, in which Trustee Cum
ming. twice called upon the president to
call Mi, Symmes to order for insulting the
members of the board. Mr.. Symmes
ll9Tdly stated that the plea of economy was
made the pretext for the removal of Lii
bfarian Wilson and said it was no more
.t8an fair that Mr., Wilson should be given
an opportunity TO vindcate himself. Mr..
Cumming had previously stated that
economy was the only object he had in
view " hen he voted for Mr.. Wilson's re-
mUvaI and be construed Mr.. Symmes' re-
marks as a reflection upon his honesty.
de called upon President Eallidie
TO protect him from the insults of Mr..
,SvmmeS, and the speaker was warned to
'conGne himself more closely 20 the ques-
ton at issue. Thus trouble was averted
for the moment but il was Dreclpltated
again when the chair ruled In favor of en-
PERTAINING Mr.. Symmes' otion 10 reinstate
Mr.. Wilson ~ the face of the objection of
Trustee DoOlan that such step would be
in violation of the constitution. The
strife was introduced by the reading of the
following letter from Mr.. Wilson:
a. S. hIHidie, ESQ, President Mechanics
T7lstjt7its-DEAR SIR: Replying 10 your letter
ot Yesterday, ] must again beg that you Will
uu- delay the meeting request.
When / made that demand l had but the
yaguest intimatlOns o 90 upon. Now L have
something more, and most emphatIcally de-
liand as my right rigid investigation OF all
acts of niue, business or otherwise having re-
laJou 10 the action Of the board of trustees re-
specting my retirement from the Guardianship
Of The institute. Yours respectfully,
HORACE WILSON, Librarian.
Trustee Symmes moved that Mr.. Wilson
be granted the investigation he invited and
that special committee be appointed to
look into the matter He said the institute
had received a great deal of uuenviable
nptOrietY by the manner IN which MIR.
Wilson was removed and he thought it
WOULD be better for all concerned to have
the mater investigated.
Mr.. Cumming was on his feet in mo-
meut to oppose the motion. He said no
charges had been made against the late
% librarian and asked what there was to in
vestigaTe. he said Mr. Wilson was dis
missed purely in the interests Of economy,
and he for one was tired of having the
Tikht Of the institute to manage It's own
affairs questioned.
The remarks of Mr.. Cumming met with
mods of approval from the four members
nearest him and with looks of disapproval
from the other side of the house. AS the
spokesman of the mem ers who seemed
inclined to favor the motion Mr.. Symmes
arose to make an explanation. lie said
that he agreed with the majority that IL
was for the best interests of the institute
that the services Of Mr.. Wilson be dis
pensed with, but he did not approve the
manner in which il was done.
while il has been stated that Mr..
Wilson was removed as a measure of
economy" said Mr.. Symmes, I'VE all
know that this plea was merely preteXt
for the action that was taken"
While Nh Symmes was speaking. Mr..
Cumming was boiling over with sup
pressed rage, and during a pause he
jumped TO his feet.
MI President, | call upon you to pro-
tect me from the insults of this man who
dares to impugn my motives in voting for
Wilson's dismissal He is insulting every
one of US, and | call upon you 10 stop him"
Mr.. Symmes said he did not intend to
Insult any one, and after a few words of
caution from the chair he was allowed to
proceed. He said If there was no obiec-
ton be would ask that Mr.. Wilson, who
was present, be invited to address the
hoard Mr.. Cumming objected, and, as
unanimous consent was necessary. the in
YltatiUn was not extended.
Mr.. SymmeS next arose to explain a
l..
+eTaied the statement that while he was
glad the services of Mr.. Wilson had been
dispensed with he did not approve the
manner In which the desired result had
been accomplished. To place the board
in more favorable light he moved that
Mr.. Wilson be relustated, after which, he
said, the librarian be asked to resign,
" and thus not place the board on record as
having summary removed an old en-
.plove without giving him an opportunity
to defend himself
.Marsden Manson seconded the motion
and it as about TO be put to a vote when
Trustee DOOlan arose and made the point
that Mr.. Symmes had no right to make
such a motion, as be was not one of the
majority who voted to remove Mr.. Wilson.
He further objected 10 the motion on the
ground that according To the constitution
reconsideration Of a question could only
be had at the first subsequent meeting,
notice having been given at the previous
meeting
Mr.. SYmmes said his motion could not
be excluded by that section of the conSt-
tuition from the fact that it was not a mo-
ton to reconsider previous action of the
board, but to rescind one.
Everybody looked at President Hallidie
In anticipation Of his. ruling on Mr..
Symmes' stand.
:, The gentleman's point is we'll TAKEN"
be said.
is that your ruling, Mr.. President p
SAID Mr. Cumming, reaching for his hat
1T is," replied Mr. Hallidle.
We'll, l have got enough Of this" said
Cumming. lets get out OF here" and out
Of me room he went followed by Trustees
Mooser, Formulas, Malm and DOolan.
a look Of sunrise fitted over the feat
uIes OF the remaining mem ers as the five
trustees PIT on their hats and hurriedly
left the room. The secretary called the
roll and found there were only seven
members present-one less than a quorum
land the meeting was declared adjourned.
In less than ten minutes after the meet
ing was unanimously adjourned the fol-
lowing letter, calling for a meeting of the
members Of the institute, had Eeen signed
and handed 10 President Hallidie.
Mr. Il. S. HdlL9die, President Of the Me-
cHa7tfcs' Iitstitltte-DEAR SIR; We, the under.
signed, ask of you TO call a special meeting of
tie members of the institute TO consider the
action of President Hallidie in deciding section
z, rules OF ORDER contrary TO the express Will OF
Tie bylaws and the constitution.
- B. Bacganpi. Z. r. Ward, Lorenzo Coe, Sid
S.; Palmer Il. r. DoolaD, George Cumming
Charles L. Mooser, +. Formulas.
Nv provision of the bV-laWs the Dresi-