The morning call., 1894-10-17
SYMMES WAS MAD.
Resigns From Mechanics
Institute
A Proposition to Investigate the
Causes of the Present Indus.
trial Depression.

All the directors of the Mechanics In
stitute who attended the meeting last
night were ir a gOod-natured and soca bic
mood with the exception of one. That
was Frank j. SYmmes. He was feeling
decidedly sore against some of his fellow
directors, and as soon as the meeting had
been called to order he lost no time in
stating his feelings and handing in his
resignation as member of the board.
1t appears that Mr.. Symmes was chair
man of the finance committee, and some
time ago an employe in the library. who
had been receiving $50 a month, was dis
charged by the finance committee. Mr..
Symmes, as he explained last evening.
thought that as the committee had the
power to discharge a person it also had
the authority TO fill vacancies.
Acting under this impression. Mr..
SymmeS appointed two young graduates
from the grammar schools at salary of
S25 a month each. He said he had acted
with the best of intani lions, and nothing
had been said against his action until the
board suddenly discharged the two young
men, as their appointment had not been
acted upon by the directors. This Mr..
SymmeS considered a slight, and he so told
the directors, after which he handed in his
eslgnation and left the room before any
thing further could be said.
The other directors looked somewhat
blankly at each other for a few moments.
and then proceeded to express their re-
gTets to each other that Mr.. Symmes had
acted so hastily. They all spoke OF their
kindly feeling for Mr.. Symmes, and conf
dence that he had no inteG ton of doing
anything out of the way. He had simply
misunderstood the proposition that all Do
sitinns must be filed by vote.
Director Leggett was delega ted a CON-
mittee OF one to draw up resolution ask
ing Mr. Symmes to withdraw his resigna-
tioE and to express therein the sentiments
of the directors. Mr. Leggett did so, and
in the resolution Mr.. Symmes was urged
10 withdraw his resignation and be was
assured that each member of the board
expressed his confidence in and esteem for
Mr.. Symmes; also shat here had been no
intention to cast any reflection on him for
any act performed by HIM as a member.
The resolution was passed unanimously.
A long discussion then ensued over the
proposition that had been submitted to
the board by Frank Ii. Duke Smith and
| Charles T. Rowland to publish a maga-
zine, entitled the Mechanics Institute
| Magazine. in which is to be Incorporated
| history of the organization from its begin
aing. together with articles on industrial
| and mechanical pursuits. Through adver-
tisements the projectors Intended to recon-
| pense themselves. One thousand copies
were to be presented free to the institute.
The discussion was principally in re-
gard TO the amount OK advertising space
which would be allowed TO the institute
free. Director Cumming thought that
considerable should be given for the priv
| ilege of using the name of the association.
A resolution was finallv adopted favor
able TO the proposition after sOne amend
mpnts had been made To ne contract to
the effect that "suct other matter as the
board of directors might wish published
might be incorporated in 1t.
Il was during this debate, and another
which followed, that the older directors
became quite gay in joking each other
! about political leaviDgs" and other mat
ters.
The condition of the roof of the Pavilion
! served as a topic for discuss ion for nearly
half an hour.
Director Cumming of the building com
mittee reported that he had ordered re-
pairs TO the roof amounting to about $500,
| as it was 10 very bad condition, and
needed prompt attention so that the struc-
| ture could be rented.
Director DOolan thought that Mr.. Cum
ming had exceeded his authority in order
| ing anything on his responsiblit when
| he did not know where the money was
| TO come from. 1t was finally decided that
board should eXpend $500 for repairs to the
the ROOT.
A resolution was introduced by Director
| Lewis To the effect that in view of the fact
that the industrial depression at present is
far beyond legitimate causes and has az
| fected this community more than 1t has
| the nation al large-in view of this the
| cores sponding secretary Of the institute
should he authorized to communicate with
local labDT unions and learn three things
first, what Industries have been discon-
tlDued during the past three years; sec
ond. what industries have been inaugur-
ated in the same time; bird, the relative
number of mechanics who were depending
thereon from March. 1891. to March, 1894.
In explanation Of his resolution Mr.
Lewis said that as Mechanics Institute
1t should properly investigate the indus
trial depression and try and find out The
cause for the same. Then, perhaps, some
remedy could be found. The inves tiga.
tion was solely in regard 10 the local statu:
of affairs
Mr.. Cumming said that he shifted poll.
ties In the resolution. and M owed that IL BIZ
referred to a committee with instructions
to report after January l.
The resolution was adopted, and after
The transaction Of some routine bushes,
the board adjourned.