The morning call., 1894-09-09
TOWARD ECONOMY
Mechanics Institute i'm
Quarterly Session.
THE CONSTITUTION REVISED,
Official Duties of the Board
Consolidated.
HE CONSTITUTION REVISED.
MORE EPowER FOR THE TRUSTEES
A Number of Amendments
and His Friends Appear, but
Are Silent.

m Getting Of the Mechanics Institute passed
off last evening without even as much as
a murmur coming from the Wilson fac
tion, although, as was announced, the de-
thrOned librarian appeared, accompanied
by score of adherents, who have stood
by him throughout his contention with a
portion of the board.
The little party took seats in corner Of
the hall and was decidedly conspicuous by
its silence. Not voice was heard from
the circle In the discussions of the even
ing, and as nothing touching upon the
matter of Wilson's retirement was brought
up. he and his friends departed at the
close of the meeting with as much mys-
terry as had marked their appearance.
The evening was almost entirely occu-
pied in adopting the revised constitution
and proposed amendments, which had
been compiled by committee appointed
for that purpose at the last meeting.
The body of the constitution was not in
the least interfered with as far as the
meaning OF the text is concerned, the only
change being noticeable from a grammati-
cal point of view and more harmonious
arrangement and classification of the
various sections.
adopted was with reference 10 the pro-
posed reduction Of salaried officials, which
has occupied the attention of the trustees
for some time past.
Formerly the code provided for a presi-
dent. vic president, spondng secre-
tary, recording secretary and treasurer.
The new section does away with the SER
vices of the latter official. the funds being
placed In the hands of a banking concern.
1t reads as follows:
The officers of the institute shall be a prpsi-
dent, vice president. corresponding secre
tary and recording secretary, 10 be elected
annually by The board of trustees from its mem
bers. And the board of trustees shall at the
same time elect as treasurer OF the institute
solvent Incorporated bank in the city and
county OF Il Francisco.
Section Z. article ii. which defines the
duties of the recording secretary, was suf-
fixed with an additional instruction, which
provides that be shall present to the an
Dual meeting report giving an abstract
of the monthly reports of the treasurer.
The amendment TO section of article
II, defining tae duties of the treasurer, was
arranged t. suit the change in officials a.
follows:
The treasurer shall take charge of all the
funds of the institute, subject TO the order of
majority OF the board OF trustees, signed by
the president and the recording secretary. The
treasurer shall make a monthly report, ex-
hioitinG 10 detail the receipts and disburse-
H6utS duu tue DdidHCe III TIE treasury.
Section l of Article XIII, now pro-
vidts t1at no debt shall he incurred by
the officers nr members of the institute for
anY reason except to purchase land and
erect buildings thereon for the institute.
There was con sderahle division of Opin-
ion as to the advisabrl ty of changing this
section, although after much had been
said OIL either side, the amendment was
adopted by close vote. 1t reads as fol-
lows:
No mortgage or bonded debt shall pe incurred
by the officers or memb rs of the Mechanics
Institute except to purchase land or erect or
improve buildings III reon for the institute.
The amendment to section OF article
KILL gave food Tor much spirited discus
sion, which lasted for nearly an hour,
although its adoption came hnally with q
majority of four votes.
The amendment reads as follows:
All the funds arising from dues, contribu.
tons, lectures and other sources shall be an
propTia ed as The board OF trustees shall from
time TO time direct
Compared with the old section the
amendment gives the trustees unlimited
power to do as they please with the funds.
which formed the basis for strong oppo-
sition.
Formerly 10 per cent of the funds aris-
ing from dIes, contributions, etc., were
appropriated To sinking fund ana placed
Ou. at interest in savings bank, to be
used for paying taxes, reducing the mort
gage debt, etc. The remaining 90 per cent
was appropriated at the discretion of the
trustees, the change thus being in dispos-
ing of the sinking fund and raising the 90
percent limit in tEe trustees hands to the
entire fund.
Secretary j. II. Culver presented the
folio wing reports of the finances. He had
made three distinct forms in order 10 Illus
trate the conditions which are, those that
might have been and that which will be.
The exact standing is as follows:
Receipts from all sources, including loan
of $4,000 from University of California,
$2S, ,693 96.
Expenditures, including payment of loan
of Donohoe Banking Company Of $1,000
and bills for POst-street improvements,
$19,S70 So; balance, $SS23 08.
Leaving out the receipt of $4,000 from
the university and payment of loan of $4,000
and Post-sttee improvements, the amount
would stand: Receipts. SS693 90; expendi-
lures, S9237 81. leaving def ii OF S544 o.
Had the reduction of salaries OF $3.50
per month been in force during the entire
quarter as al present, then the showing
would be: Receipts, 1869, 1896; expendi-
lures, $685. 794. Leaving balance to
credit oil $l5.602.
On melton of r. 2. Dodan it WAS unani-
mously decided to hold a mechanical fair
at the Pavilion in The fall of next year.
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