The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-13
President Hyde Declines to Recog-
niZe the New Members.
INSISTS ON HEARING THE LAW.
After a Merry Exchange of Compile
ments, Menacing the Peace, the
Board AdjOurns.

on hand at the meeting of the Board Of
Education last night ready TO enter upon
their duties.
Messrs. Charles a. Murdoch and T frank
}. Symmes have been filing these places
by appointment until the successors of
the members resigned could be elected.
They also were present
But Messrs. Troy and Barrett were
ahead of them and when the meeting was
called to order Messrs. Murdoch and
Symmes we're seated in the chairs along
the wall Troy and Barrett were in their
seats which they had captured early in the
evening"
On these lines battle was waged that
precipitated an early adjournment with
out any business having been transacted
not even the disposition of the rights of the
parties in the premises.
War was declared with the calling of the
roll. Murdock's and Symmes' names
were called and Dunn took exceptions,
saying they were not members.
President Hyde said there had been no
action notifying him of that fact, and the
secretary would please call the roll as he
had it."
Messrs. Symonds and Murdoch, sitting
on the side benches, signified 10 the usual
way that they were there. The roll being
finished Director Clinton made an elabor-
ate introduction OF the new members. said
their certificates had been handed them
and we're ready to be presented, their bonds
had been fled. and so on. the other mem
bers would extend greeting,
The messenger gathered up the certifi-
Gates and handed them upto the president,
J., bot no
TO be, and then said: "Mr. Grant, who is
counsel for the hoard, is present, and will
advise the board as t. the law governing
the case as to whether these gentlemen
have q right to take their seats. As is
well known, there were three unexpired
terms, and the question is, whether two
gentlemen, presenting themselves to fill
unexptred terms. can designate whose
places they are to fill."
This statement needs a word Of expIana-
ton, perhaps. DR.. Clinton obtained two
months leave of absence early in his
term and went abroad and overstayed his
time. The question arose as to whether
he had not uns Gated him elf by so doing.
So, to make it all legal and leave no room
for question he was appointed to fill his
own vacancy, qualified again. filed new
bonds, ETC., and has been serving as Il
appointed. which means until an election
can regularly fill the vacancy. But the
election proclamation only called for the
filing of two unexpired terms. a
Upon President HYDE thas defining the
sand be meant 10 take in the matter DIR.
Clinton said: Here is a resolution passed
by the Election Commission, Mr.. Presi-
dent, which will probably settle that ones
tion," and sent up another paper to the
presidents desk. The resolution was
that declaring the two men elected, in
doing which it named them as having been
elected to fill the p aces madeitvacant by
the resignation of Directors French and
Decker. This, of course. left no room
for doubt as 10 their not having been
elected to fill Clinton's place, and this was
the point that he desired to make.
President HYDE read the paper and said
1t could not be recognized. as it was signed
by nobody and there was nothing to show
what it was. He called upon Grant TO
come forward and advise them as to the
law.
Then the trouble began and the rules of
parliamentary debate. which have a habit
Of frequent default at the meetings of the
board. we're lost sight of entirely.
Clinton entered protest against Grant
being allowed to be heard. HE has his
lesson well learned and he will say it over
as you desire it," be said, addressing the
chair. you know that be has no au-
thority to settle this matter. 1t is mere
captiousness on your part to question the
right Of these gentlemen TO take their
seats. [ am properly qualified member
hor w In Mr. Mnr1pnty
Is not. l know that these are honorable
gentlemen and will not claim their seats"
THAT is a matter between you and
them" sad the president. ST cannot at
tempt to decide it,"
every WELL" said Clinton, turning
toward Murdoch, who sat against the wall
opposite. ''Then l will ask you. Mr.. Muir
dock, if you intend t. contest this seat"
If Mr.. Murdoch was not silent, at least
his answer could not be heard in the hub
bah and the pounding of the presidents
gavel. Clinton repeated it and the presi-
dent said: 81 cannot allow questions Of
this kind between the directors; the MEM
beers cannot answer except through the
president"
You are posing there as possessed of
more power han your position warrants -
exclaimed Dunn. Neither the directors
nor the people will stand it."
81 desire to know the law on this mat.
ter" said the president.
"These men are properly seated here"
cried Carew, land it is important that we
get down to business. Our salaries and
those of the teachers depend upon the
board being declared legal as now con.
structed."
the board has right to be advised Of
the law" began the president again.
"'rhis is farce and an outrage. VIZ
will not listen to this man. If we need
advice there is present Auditor Broderiek
who is mucn more capable of giving it Il
u.s." said Mr.. Clinton.
"The fact is. you are liable to arrest
sir" exclaimed Carew You are tryinG
to commit a crime in preventing these
men from acting with this board. Why,
am ashamed of myself in being party
to such proceedings"
Al this. gallery and lobby, which were
hacked solidly with men and women
chiefly women and schooleachers-brok
into laughter and applause.