The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-06
VERY EXCITED MEMBERS.
The French Benevolent Society
WrestIes With Parlia-
mentary Law.
THE CONSTITUTION.
A Proposition to Allow Women to
Vote Defeated by a Large
Majority.

An adjourned meeting of the members
of the French Mutual Benevolent Society
was held yesterday afternoon in Union
square Hall for the purpose of considering
propositions petitioned for by members
and of passing upon amendments offered
at previous meeting.
Sylvan We'll, president Of the society,
occupied the chair and J. Dechamps acted
as secretary.
A petition from 100 members asking that
the visiting physician extend his visits to
patients in South San Francisco was read,
and, as the same was recommended by the
committee on revision of constitution, The
proposition was carried.
The secretary then read petition from
lit members asking that the manager of
the hospital, the accountant and the col
lector be elected by the members of the
society for four years and that the salary
of the manager be fixed at 500 per month !;
that the accountant be paid $S5 and the
collector be allowed 5 per cent on all col
lections.
The reading Of this petition was followed
by a prolonged discussion, in which many
OF those present took part and became en-
tangled in parliamentary law so deep that
it would have taken ex-Speaker Reed con-
siderable time to get the matter straight.
Alexander Bergerd wanted the manager
selected by the executive committee and
offered his proposition as an amendment
to the first section of the petition.
Mr. Mayors offered as an amendment to
the amendment that the executive commit
tee name the accountant and the collector
Mr.. Chartrey then moved as a substitute
that the committee name all the employees
and that the employees then name the ex-
ecutive committee, sort of reciprocity.
The proposition was loudly applauded
by the 400 members present, but there was
not a second to it.
Then another member moved as a SUBJ
stitute for the two amendments that all
three officials be named by the executive
committee.
One member asked that the substitute be
amended by voting ON the propositions
separately.
Mr.. Guenin asked "where are we at; we
have so many propositions before the meet
ing that no one is able to tell what is be-
fore the house"
A dozen different members asked for
recognition and the president good
naturally announced that each would have
an opportunity to express his views.
They all did give expression to their
views on parliamentary tactics. Mr.. Char
trey proposed to put an end to the debate
by referring the matter to meeting to be
held in 1896.
ago." said Mr.. Lemoine.
The motion was put and carried.
The members proceeded to the con-
sideration of the amendments to the con-
stitution.
The revision committee reported in favor
OF declaring that all male mem bers of the
society over 81 years of age and six months
a member should have the right to vote.
DR.. eros offered an amendment that
heads of families have the right to cast two
ballots.
A. Bergert moved to strike out the word
male from the section.
Mr.. Mitchell said that would give the
women members of the society the right to
vote. He said that he was glad to see
women take a deep interest in their house
hold affairs, but thought that there were
the meetings without simon-pure women
to take part.
Some one remarked, "You certainly are
not very gallant"
The proposition to give women the right
to vote was defeated by large majority,
only two voting in the affirmative.
During an animated discussion on an
amendment 10 allow The dIStrl button of
ballots three days before election Mr..
Chartrey took occasion to say that under
that system, as at a previous election, a
coterie would get together in favor of GER
tain candidates, as for instance, for presi-
dent.
He was interrupted by A. Bergerd who
in most excited manner called him a
liar. Men in all parts of the hall sprang
to their feet. Mr.. Chartrey remained silent
for second. The silence was, however,
broken by Bergerd, more excited than be-
fore, e1claiming, "He lies! he liesp' The
two men glared at each other for mo-
ment, but when Mr.. Chartrey said that he
withdrew his remarks as to the president
order was restored.
Finally it was decided that sample bal
lots should be issued and that on election
day ballots bearing the seal of the society
and of different color from those of the
sample ballots should be used for voting
An amendment to reinstate members
suspended for non-payment of dues was
laid over until the meeting in 1896 after a
heated argument.
The society decided that applicants for
membership should after examination by
the physician be further examined by the
occulist, if the physician so recommended
An amendment that the resident ply
stefan shall be named by the members and
his salary fixed at $3.50 a month was adopted.
An amendment providing that physi-
clans who had studied in medical uni
versity for four years or physicians who
had previously served the society be
eligible for election was also adopted.