Evening star., 1894-11-20
ENDORSING A CANDIDATE
Building Exchange Picks Man for Build
ing Inspector.
Thomas j. King the Choice of Il
Majority of Those Present
Last Night.

The Washington Builders Exchange last
night found itself in the embarrassing posi-
ton of the maiden who, with bean on
either side, exclaimed: How happy 1 would
be with either were tOther dear chlrmer
away With two of its most prominent
members avowing themselves as candidates
for the position of building inspector Of the
District. a special meeting had been called
for the purpose of nominating a man for
the place The friends of both Fred. Pilling
and Thomas J. King We're certain that two
better men could not be chosen, and there
was a strong sentiment in favor of IN i'm
partial action by the exc hange, resulting in
the Endorsement of both candidates. This
proposition however, was voted down after
brisk discussion, and, at the close Of
about hour of talk, a ballot was taken
on the two names, resulting in the naming
of Mr. King, by vote of - to s.
President Norwood called the meeting to
order at o'clock and stated its object, sug-
gesting that the best way was for ,he cX-
change to vote by ballot on the names pre-
sented. Thereupon Mr.. PillinS and Mr..
King were promptly nominated by tEeir
friends. Mr.. Jacob Nelghmeyer, however,
protested against hasty action, saying that
the members, of whom d very small per-
centage was present, could postpone the
Endorsement, and that the two applicants
for the position should be permitted to
stand on their own merits. Perhaps, he
suggested, a good plan would be for The
exchange to name a third man.
This suggestion was not well received, al
though Mr.. L. V. Noonan spoke heartily in
favor of it. a. l.. Phillips and Thos. w.
Smith were named for the position, but
both promptly declined, though from uif-
fering motives. Mr.. King made pei sonal
explanation. This movement, he sa,d had
come as a complete surprise. Although
h., sod 1lrNla.4 to no
sition," he added, Il have never sought the
place. | would not like to see strife Gre
ated in the exchange over the matter. If
it could be conducted in a friendly manner
1T might cause the making of IA new in
terest ill exchange matters; but if it IS
going TO create any hard feeling we had
better drop the whole business altogether.
Mr. PillIng avowed himself as an appt-
cant for the place. Il have filed my appli-
catioY," he said, and my testimonials are
in. L did not sign the call for the meeting
tonight, but l would like very much 10 set
the Endorsement Of the exchange, as
think it stands high with the Commission
ers. But the small size of this meeting
may place the exchange in a peculiar posi-
tion. l may happen to have one or two
more friends here tonight than Mr.. King
and in that case l might get the indorse-
ment, or vice versa. Thus a very small
of the members of the org mi
zation would practically control the voice
of the exchange. Those few individuals
the Commissioners. OF course, the result
would be the voice of the exchange. and,
therefore, would be valuable Endorsement.
In view of the fact that there are two cam
didateS and that this is very small meet
ing, would be perfectly satisfied to have
the exchange indorse both of u.s.
Then followed a series of personal eXpla-
nations from members who had signed Mr..
Pillings petition, and who thought they
had been placed in peculiar positions.
Finally Mr.. John Mitchell moved that the
cast the ballot of the exchange
for both candidates. and this brought AL
bert Stephan to his feet with a remon-
STRANGE. He thought this would be pla ying
the baby act, and he was going on With a
of the former regime at the
office, when he was interrupted
with reminders that Mr.. Entwisle was dead
and that he was going out of his way. lie
apologiZed for his reference to the late in
spector, and went on to argue that the ex-
change should put one man before the
and not two. Neither of
the men named, he said, needs the posi- ion,
but either would be proud of it.
A vote was taken on the proposition to
cast duplex ballot, and the exchange was
firm in it's negation. Mr.. Stephan offered a
resolution making the recommendation to
the Commissioners, but leaving the Eame
Of the favored candidate blank, and this
was unanimously adopted.
Mr. T. w. Smith asked If the candidates
had not got the names of individual men,
bers of the exchange on their petitions.
Mr. Piling said that he had the names Of
4 good many members. Mr.. Smith thought
hat those petitions should be read at the
meeting, adding that it would be emnently
improper for tie exchange to vote to in
iorse any candidate If the individuals COM
posing it We're pledged on paper for one or
the other OF the men.
Mr.. King said that he had no petition,
and therefore no siSners. He said further
That he had not applied. but that whatever
merits he might have for the place were be-
h. uyla ff16 l.y ri
Mr. T. V. Noonan moved that the ex-
change proceed to ballot for a candidate,
and that the successful name be presented
70 the Commissioners, without prejudice to
he other candidates. This reused another
burst of opposition, led by Mr.. Stephan and
Mr.. Joseph Tanning, and, on a vote, the
words without prejudice to the other can
jidate" were stric ken out.
Mr.. Smith then called for the reading of
the bylaws to show that there were men,
Ders present who were not entitled to vote,
- having paid their dues up to date. But
Mr.. Stephan pointed out that the rule ap-
Piled only to votes cast at the annual meet
nGs. The exchange decided in favor Of Mr..
Stephans contention, and SO all present
were permitted to vote. Messrs. Thomas,
Stephan and Galloway were appointed tel
ers, and the ballot was them taken, with
the result. already stated. There was one
vote cast for Mr. Brady, thus giving a
total vote of thirty-one out of a member
ship of about las.
lnere WdS soine uiSc uSSlon aIteT the vote
was announced as to the propriety of MAX
Ing the Endorsement unanimous, but it was
pointed out by Mr.. Pillings friends that it
would place him in a false light to be pres
ent at meeting which would appear to
ndOrse Mr.. King without a dissent, where
as Mr.. Pilling Is an avowed candidate and
proposes to remain in the race. Thereupon
the suggestion was withdrawn and Thomas
Albert Stephan, William c. Nor
rison, Jacob Veighmeyer and j. w. Thomas
were appointed to present the resolution to
the Commissioners.