Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1895-09-21
TIE SALE OF THE COPYRIGHT.

THAT the Grand Fountain, United
Order Of True Reformers made a mon
lmental blunder when it voted to pay
Rev. w. w. BROWNE fifty thousand dol
lars for the copyright Of certain plans
is now generally conceded.
We have not as yet met member of
this organization who has seen the
thing which it is alleged was bought.
1t is also an open question as to
whether or not the thing sold was real
ly worth the paper it was written on so
far as its binding nature upon the or
ganizatiOn was concerned.
In , other words. if Rev. w. w
BROWNE was being employed by the
organization as its executive head. and
had inaugurated plans for the better
performance of his duties and the
greater success of the organization.
how could he get a copyright on the
aforesaid plans which would force the
organization to purchase them from
him or discontinue their use.
How could this be done when he
was a member Of the corporation cited
and had interests in common with ev-
cry other member ?
It should not be forgotten that there
is another vital principle Involved
the right of corporation to give away
the money and property of other
stock holders and members without
their consent.
Can this be done without securing
such consent ? Can A and B give
away C's money simply because A and
B agree that this should be done
We are of the opinion that the ques-
ton answers itself and accordingly the
action of the Grand Fountain IN vot-
ing TO give away out of the treasury o.
the organization six hundred dollars
to supplement fund of four hundred
dollars which had been raised among
the individual members to purchase
for him horses and carriage was illeg
al and unprecedented.
: This being true, then the voting t.
pay ten thousand dollars more tina
was asked by the seller, for the thin
TO be sold was even a more aggrava
ing attempt TO exercise a powe
which the Grand Fountain did no
legally possess.
We say then that this case is a MAJ
ter for the courts The concern is il
! corporated, and as such enjoys sue
, immunities and privileges as the con
e monwealth has seen fit to bestow.
It is plainly evident that the prop'
!. sition as TO the price was railroaded
Through inasmuch as on the last ds
) Iof a the session motion was adopte
that the vote on the proposition shoul
J. be taken without debate. We doul
If there has ever been during the ext
ltence of corporations more iagral
+ abuse of ,power granted and mo-
e wanton disregard of the rights of IL
minority
To fully realize the enormity of th
? insane action we have bat
? note the fact that it would be just
n ridiculous and absurd for New 70
corporation worth eighty-six milli
dollars to vote TO purchase from
president a copyright of plans viii
it cost him one dollar to secure
fifty million dollars when the aforess
president only charged forty millic
therefor, and this action being tax
in the face Of the protest of IA minor
of the stockholders, who had be
Is squelched ~ the adoption of reso
E. ton to vote without debate.
This would be making a pres'
of ten million dollars of not only tn
d. own, but other peoples money, WI
IT it was known that the other people
re jec4ed to such proceeding.
lie What Justification in law wo
there be for such an action Wo
it stand the test of the courts Co
ng not the minority of the stock-hold
hit with truth declare that it was
it, abuse of the chartered privilege
Invoke the aid of the courts2 If I
why not