The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-27
OLD PROXIES WERE VOTED.
Elijah smith Makes Charges Against
Starbuck's o. /. Go. Faction.

Starbuck's o. i. 60. FACTION.
Elijah Smith, winner of the Oregon I'm
provement Company election at Portland
last week. has been going over the records
and claims to have unfolded some start
ling things about the old management 1t
is stated that at the meeting President
Starbuck refused to call the roll OF stock
holders in the usual way TO learn what
stock was represented and how 1t was TO
be voted 1t is further charged that he
arbitrarily ruled out OF order motion TO
call the roll. and refused to put the vote.
declaring such procedure to be out OF
order.
Elijah Smith, the new president OF the
company. is authority for the following
statement about the matter:
THE summary ruling by Mr. Starbuek
led TO an investigation by me concerning
the proxies that had been voted al the re-
cent election. This investigation revealed
a most astonishing condition of affairs.
The old proxies for the previous years,
covering the entire time of the Starbuck
administration. from 1891 to 1894. had been
taken out of the archives of the company.
and 1000 shares picked out. covering stock
they had been unable 10 obtain proxies for
10 vote at the annual meeting of 1895.
These shares, 1000 in number the Star
buck people had no idea would be voted
by their opponents. but owing TO the dill
gence of those interested on the other
side, 5000 shares of the sleeping stock
was handled by my friends and the proX
los so held were newly dated, bearing the
stamp OF 1895. as against the Anticipated
proxies previously held by Mr. Starbuck
and his friends. Even as it was the Star
buck management succeeded in voting
fully i.0o0 mouldy shares in proxies that
performed their intended service years
ago, and had been filed away as old and
useless papers. Some of the proxies that
the Starbuck crowd had obtained in
blank. were filed in with the date OF June
II, in order to prevent the opponents pre-
seuting any revocations bearing a later
date.
If there ever was a previous attempt
Of this character made by officials of any
corporation TO perpetuate themselves in
power by proxies secured for previous
elections. u has not been made known.
If such met hods as have been attempts
in this case proved successful stockhold-
era would find themselves powerless TO
effect change of management when they
became dissatisfied with IT, Fortunately.
in the case Of me Oregon Improvement
Company. IL did not succeed. as the
strength Of the opposition TO Mr.. StaTbuck
was great. and the ma ioTity so large thai
II could not be overcome. lad II been
close election or II The opponents 10 the
administration IN power hah not bVo ont
of over 7.ea shares dated this wear. offse,-
ting the proxies Of 1901. 1902. lS93 and 1891,
sought 10 be voted over again. the effort
though backed by large ma ior;y az the
stockh holders would have been Il failure
II Is these things that naturally causes
stockholders 10 feel anxious concerning
their Investments"
In defense Of the StarbuCk faction. II is
stated that It's supporters dd no more than
was a3lowS able under the bylaws. and fur
thermore that in dating the proxies they
had acted according 10 precedent and I'M
der the advice 81 their attorneys. The by
laws provide that proxies shall be good un-
til revoked. and the fact that 4 blank
proxy IS given authorizes the holder n 81
IN the date as he chooses But the els'-
zion = now ancient history, and StarbucS
and his followers have withdrawn. pbilo-
scphacsNy accepting the result.