The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-07-16

ratifying the action of the directors. Wit
ness put the vote and declared it carried.
Mr.. Whitney doubted it. Witness called
for a standing vote. Forty arose for the
yeas Only Mr.. Whitney and one other
man arose for the nays.
| In regard to those $40 tickets witness
said that they found, some or 6 years
ago, that a certain man, carpenter,
wanted to become a member but wanted
to pay for the ticket in work. kThey
agreed and he did pay for it in work.
Later there were several men who repre-
sented a certain section of the county,
which they wanted represented. These
men said that they didn't want to pay
800. They thought it was too much.
The directors said to them that they
wanted them to join but they must agree,
if they paid only $40 for a ticket, to pay
the other $40 whenever called for or give
an equivalent in labor. 1t was thus de-
cided. The matter was perfectly we'll
known and there never was any objec-
tion till Mr. Whitney was not reelected
secretary. Since then there has been an
abundance of objection. Some of those
who got tickets for SO. have since paid
the other $40
In regard to those who had not signed
the constitution, witness asked at that
meeting that all should do SO who had
not. and several came forward to do so,
but Sec. Whitney withdrew the book and
said that they shouldn't sign.
| Witness stated then to the meeting that
the secretary had refused to allow certain
members to sign
After, the meeting was over witness
heard Mr.. Whitney say to Mr.. Leighton,
s'Iwill make up the books for you today
and give them to you in few days.
There was no protest about the voting
for secretary until the meeting was over.
Witness was not positive that the meet
ing had adjourned, but Mr.. Whitney said
This meeting is illegal and shall con-
test it. This was after all business was
transacted.
At a meeting on the 1st day of June it
was decided to make formal demand
upon Mr.. Whitney for the books.
Cross examined. Witness joined the
society in 1887, not 1877. He did not sign
the constitution then, but he did sign it
soon after.
The constitution was presented to him
and he said that he recognized tho book.
He looked through it and found his own
name. He wasn't sure that it was his
own hand writing, but thought it was.
My only doubt about it is that it is so
much better than usually write, still
I can write as we'll as that sometimes. -
"Will you swear that that is your sig
nature?''
"From an inspection of it / am not
willing to swear that it is. Either
signed it or. Mr.. Frye did for me, with
my permission. 1t isn't a forgery"
In 1894 the trustees were Treasurer
Scammon, Secretary Whitney and Messrs
Head, Carter, Wescott, Warren, True
and johnson.
There was no formal action of the trus-
tees in the making of rule that certain
men could get a ticket for $40
with the understanding that they should
pay the other $40 when the society sh ould
need money and should demand the
$10
Witness was positive that he asked all
to sign the constitution before the vote
for secretary. He was positive that he
saw Mr.. Wescott attempt to sign the con-
stitution. Witness cast only one vote
! during the proceedings of the meeting.
: He voted for Mr.. Leighton for secretary.
LEVI e. WESCOTT.
Levi E. Wescott was the next witness. He
holds certificate of membership in the
society. He joined in 'SS, when $40 was
the price for ticket. He was present at
the last meeting. He went forward te
Pres Vinton. He did not sign it because
Mr.. Whitney withdrew the book. 1t was
near the adjournment of the meeting
when he tried to sign it. He signed last
Friday. That was his first opportunity
since the meeting.
Cross examined. He was not prevented
from signing the constitution before the
vote for secretary. 1t was after that vote
He was notified before the meeting by Mr.
Whitney that his name was not signed tt
the constitution.
Direct resumed. Witness couldn'1
swear, on reflection, that it was before o.
after the vote for secretary.
Mr. B. f. Carter of Scarboro testified
that it was before the vote for secretary
that he and the others went forward tt
sign the constitution. 1t was when the
meeting was first called to order. Wit
ness signed. No objection was made.
Mr. Larrabee testified that he joined il
'94.. He was among those who stepped
forward to sign the constitution. He at
tempted to do SO, but was prevented by
the withdrawal of the book by Mr.. Whit
6 ney.
Witness paid but $40 for his certificate
with the understanding that he should
pay the remaining SO in work, or il
> money, if the secretary needed it,
Cross examined Witness could not re
member whether it was before or after
the vote for secretary that he stepped for
ward to sign. He thought it was before.
u .-Al L.