The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-01-05
Hartford Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
A Large and Interesting Meeting.
THE MEMBERS ADJOURN WITHOUT
ELECTING DIRECTORS.

ElEC llIS1 DlheC ChO
The annual meeting of the Mutual Fire lu-
surance Company in Hartford County, which
was held in Bel Air on Monday, was more
largely attended than any preceding meeting
for years. Mr.. S. A. Williams WAS called To
the chair and Mr.. A. p. Silver appointed Sec
rotary.
The committee appointed to revise the By
Laws asked for further time, which was
granted.
The committee to approve the bonds of di-
rectors reported that they had approved the
bonds of all the directors except one.
The annual statement of the affairs of the
company was read by the Secretary, Mr.. Geo.
R. Cairnes, the President, Hon. John Carroll
Walsh, being absent from sickness.
A resolution offered by Mr.. w. Beatty Har
Ian elected considerable debate, the outcome
of which was an adjournment for two weeks.
1t was to the effect that committee OF three
stockholders, who are not directors, be APP
pointed to examine into the present condi-
| ton and management of the company and re-
port at an adjourned meeting to be held Oh
January 18th, at noon. Also that the election
of directors be postponed until that day.
The resolution was divided into two parts.
The first part, referring to the appointment OF
the committee, was carried and the chairman
appointed Messrs. George l.. VanBibber,
James Lee and Robert G.. Richardson as the
committee.
The next question was upon adjournment
| for two weeks to receive the report.
Mr. Thomas H. Robinson opposed all adj
| journment. He said this would be an I'M
| usual and extraordinary proceeding. The di-
| rectors had called the stockholders together
| to hold an election and it would be the first
i ,I.. hat
| adjournment took place without holding an
election. He said he would like to know the
reasons for such proceeding
| Mr.. Harlan, who offered the resolution,
| said the long report of the directors was
merely tumble of big figures, which could
| board of directors ought to stand or fall on
| this report. He wanted to know whether the
directors were doing faithfully and diligently
| or not. Let the committee present their re-
| port and let us have chance to criticize the
directors if they deserve it.
| Mr.. Robinson said he agreed with Mr.. Har-
| Ian as to the importance OF an investigation,
| but did not know whether his remarks were
| intended as eulogy or a reflection upon the
present board. 1t has been the universal Gus
tom to refer such reports to the board of di-
rectors To adjourn stockholders meeting
| called to elect directors is something unheard
of He believed the board of directors can
properly digest the report.
| DIR. }. +. ii. Gorsuch opposed an adjourn
ment. Why not hold the election to-day
Up to this time scarcely dozen members
have participated in the election of directors
and here is a larger representation OF the
members than ever before 1t is unjust to
members from a distance to require them to
come here again in two weeks, and many will
not come, while the members in Bel Air can
all be present. He had no idea of impeach-
ing the present directors, but the motion to
| of -pIi ch
he would not like to cast on them. He had
seen the same tactics employed in political as
semblies
Mr.. Harlan denied any intention OF reflect
ing upon anybody but he was not in posi-
ton to act intelligently in the matter.
| DIR. Gorsuch in reply said that if a new
board is elected and there is anything crooked
against them the courts are open. lie did
not suspect any wrong, but we are here as a
mutual company and each member has right
to vote and not that q few men shall take
charge of affairs.
Mr. G. Smith Norris said the crowd of mem
bers was so great that it would be better 10 ad-
journ to Il larger room, which was assented
to and the members wendell their way 20 the
Masonic Temple.
Mr. Robinson offered an amendment to Mr..
Harlan's resolution that the committee re-
port to the board Of directors two weeks from
tot day, and that the meeting now proceed to
the election Of Is directors.
Mr.. John S. Young argued that Mr.. Robin
sons amendment was out OF order, as it was
not germane to the subject of Mr.. Harlan's
resolution.
Dr. Gorsuch quoted Cushing's Manual that
an amendment may be offered the effect OF
which would be to strike out the vital
part of the original resolution.
The chairman said that the effect of Mr..
Harlans resolution would be TO postpone
business for two weeks and Mr.. Robinson
hr1ef of
He therefore decided Mr.. Robinson's amend
ment in order.
Mr.. Young opposed the substitute. He
said no good reason had been adduced why
the meeting should not be postponed. 1t
could be postponed without any disadvantage
ing, elect as good board of directors as we
can to-day. 1t is of the utmost Importance
that the report should be made to the men,
bers instead of to the directors. DIR. Cor
such's remarks, he said, did not assume the
dignity Of an argument.
MIR. Harlan repeated that he did not mean
to cast reflection on any director, and didn't
care if they thought he did. The stockhold-
ers want more light and they have right to
know all about the affairs of the company
He believed the directors are honest, upright
and straightforward, but claimed the right,
as one largely interested in the company, to
know all about 1t.
DIR. Gorsuch warned up at this point and
referring to Mr. Young's remarks said that
while he had no disposition to engage in a
personal controversy, and while he did not
boast great ability his words had the dignity
of respect for other people and but little re,
spect was being shown to those who had come
here from a distance to participate i'll these
proceedings. They should not be stifed and
sent home for perhaps some designing reason
II it is the intention to mouopoliZe and CEN
tralize control of things instead of letting the
members have their rights, / say adjourn.
Mr.. Isaac W. Coale also asked for an ad.
journment.
The question recurring on Mr.. Robinson's
motion to proceed at once to the election OF
directors, it was lost by vote of So to 81
Before the vote was announced DIR. Cor
such claimed the right of vote by ballot
The voting, he said, should be above suspi-
, cion.
The chair decided that upon the demand
there should be q vote by ballot.
| An appeal was made from the decision OF
the chair and DIR. Gorsuch insisted that this
vote should be ballot. The chair sustained
the right of appeal and also the demand for a
vote by ballot Mr.. w. Beatty Harlan and
DR.. Gorsuch were appointed tellers.
vote was taken when it appeared that
40 personal votes and 103 proxies were cast
to sustain the chairs decision, and SO person
al votes and lS7 proxies against it. The total
vote was AS to sustain the chair and $50 to
reverse the decision.
viva voce vote was then taken upon Mr.,
Robinson's substitute and it was lost.
The resolution of Mr.. w. Beatty Harlan
was then carried by a viva voce vote, and the
chair declared the meeting adjourned to jan
uary 18th, at noon.