The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-06
The Vote Proves Proportional
Representation an Easy
Winner.
The First Installment of Nomin atoms
Made of Trustees for the
Coming Year.

Tue TWO ldSI quarterly meetiHgS uaRiuR
failed of quorum the business OF nine
months was to be attended to. 1t was
early made plain that there was no danger
of a lack of a quorum at last evenings
meeting.
Before the hour for the opening every
chair provided was occupied and the
ushers were bnsily finding new accommo.
dations. 1t was understood that the long
pending agitation in regard to the method
OF electing trustees was to be put to an
issue, and many who did not intend to
participate in the contest came in antici-
patton of watching battle royal. They
were not disappointed.
After the reading of the minutes Presi-
dent E. A. Denicke made brief verbal
report in which he stated that there had
been no change in the Post-street prop
erty except to remove the reading-room
from the basement to an upper floor. he
congratulated the members upon the
success of the late fair, which, in spite of
hard times and although the ad mission
fee was reduced one-h half, paid within
about $4,000 of the profits of the previous
exposition.
The Sixteenth-street property, he stated,
would be leased again to the parties who
are now conducting recreation grounds
there.
The report of the secretary showed that
the receipts, including cash on hand, for
the last three quarters were $685. 7S5 35 and
the disbursements $67697 "a, leaving
balance of $l091 81 on hand.
The profits OF the late fair were shown
to have been $S149 81 The librarians re-
port showed the number of members on
the roll at present 10 be 4789
The bone of contention was then
brought forth. Seer tary Cummings rad
MT a
meeting providing for the institution OF
the majority system of voting for trustees,
in lieu of the preferential and proportional
system now in vogue.
The latter system has for four years been
the special pride OF a number of enthusi-
astic mem bers of the organization. They
have advocated early and late its adop-
and their efforts have resulted in its adop-
ton in a number of local clubs and soci-
cites.
1t was we'll understood that any effort
to attack this cherished institution would
meet with determined opposition by its
adherents. But it had determined OPP
ponents.
Thomas Glare, who introduced the
amendment, spoke at length in favor OF
the measure. He declared that the man
ner of election he advocated was plain
proposition of justice.
The proportional method he declared
preferential, mysterious and rascally.
This fern of voting" he declared,
would be very well if we could know that
about election time we could get men
above ordinary human nature. But how
can weknow that? It is the rottenest
thing the Mechanics Institute was ever
guilty OF and is corruption from begin
ming to end"
c. M Cummings, one of the trustees,
said it was to remedy injustice that the
proportional system was inaugurated.
'By the old system if 1000 votes were cast,
sol persons could get together and elect
the entire board, and the 499 would have
no representation whatever"
Mr.. Cummings terminated Lis remarks
with a motion that the matter be indeh-
nitely postponed. A. M. Clark designated
the motion an effort to gag the meeting,
and spirited tilt ensued. The chair re-
fused to put the motion, and Thomas
Clare, who had previously been inter-
rupted, was allowed to proceed. he was
followed by L. E. Phillips, who earnestly
advocated the amendment.
The proportional system, he commended,
perpetuated cliques and was so abstruse as
to be beyond the metes and bounds of
human understanding.
Trustee P. ]. Healey defended the pro-
portional system as a marvel of sim pllcty.
there was nothing abstruse about 1t, ex-
cept 10 those who did not desire to under
stand.
A. NJ. Clark characterized the proper
tional system as undemocratic and unre-
publican. "Mr. Cummings advocates it,
he said. because, after being elected by
the majority system. he finds he can keep
himself perpetualiy in office"
II can see in the discussion tonight"
said Charles w. Plum, nothing but
spirit to tear down, instead OF to build up.
eff this plan is not the most democratic
it has certainly served this association
WE'LL We have tried it for TOUR years-try
it once more. say vote for the amend
ment."
Joseph A. Leggett decried the criticism
of the institute and its management
which some of the speakers had voiced.
He gave it as his opinion that such
course was not for the interest of the asso-
citation. Don't you be afraid of the pref
erential and proportional system of vot-
ing" he said. cit will give you fair play,
justice and good government
Alfred Cridge, the father of the institute,
spoke in favor of the proportiona. system.
as did H. G. Kenny and Attorney Reed
l.. E. Phillips offered an amendment to
the amendment under discussion. This
action precipitated a parliam entary de-
bate, the chair ruling the amenument
out of order.
The original amendment was then put
to vote, and the proposition to do away
with proportional re presentation was de-
feated by vote of 10 to SO.
l.. E. Phillips then offered an amend
ment similar to the one defeated to be
voted for at the next meeting.
Trustee P. ]. Healy offered two amend
ments-one providing that the president
must call a special meeting at the request
of twenty-five members in good standing,
and the other providing for the publica-
ton in the institute bulletin of notices of
quarterly meetings.
The latter proposition is advanced in
view of the trustees intention to publish a
regular monthly bulletin. Announce
ments in this way save great outlay in
postal cards.
The election by the trustees of Henry
Root as trustee, vice G. Howard Thomp-
son, resigned, and George II. Wallis as
secretary, vice Joseph M. Cummings, re-
signed, were unanimously approved.
Nominations for trustees were declared
in order, and the following names were
submitted: d. A. Mcdonald, A. j. Nc
Nichols, L. +. Phillips, A. f. Allen, r. p.
Clement, s. L. Taylor, a. R. Wells, NJ A.
Wheaton, G. B. Merriam, S. G. Kellogg, L.
A. .Denicke, +. L. Dolan and DR.. G. A.