The Portland daily press., 1896-12-26
THE MARINE SOCIETY.
Hon. John w. Deering Resigns the Presi-
dency of the Association.

When the annual meeting of the Port
land Marine Society was held a few days
ago lively controversy sprung up upon
a motion to expel Capt. B. F. Woodbury.
from the society, because he had violated
the bylaws of the society in continuing
to speak after he had been told by the
president to stop, thus disturbing the
peace and harmony of the society. VI
course the proceeding against capt
Woodbury. grew out of his action IN re-
gard to the annual dinner. Capt. =. ii.
Chase moved that action on the motion for
his expulsion be postponed until Feb
ruary, his purpose being to await the de-
cision of the Supreme Court in Capt.
Woodbury's suit that is now pending
before that tribunal The motion to
postpone was opposed by President
John w. Deering vigorously, but was
carried by a large majority. Suisse
quently Capt. Deering was elected Presi-
dent for third term. Within few days
members of the society have received the
following letter from Capt Deering, re-
signing the Presidency and giving his
reasons therefor:
PORTLAND, Dec. %, 1896.
To the Members of the Portland Marine
Society,"
In addressing you this letter. wish to
say that I should have appreciated the
honor of unanimous election as Presi-
dent of your body, had it occurred under
different conditions. But as contentious
over which I have no control have
arisen, and suits in equity against the
the society has been instituted by one OF
its members, citing the president, the
treasurer and the society itself, as de-
PENDANTS. it is proper that in declining
the office should make the following
statement:
After the lapse of many months, a
prominent member, (aided BY other
members) have apparently united to pre-
vent by di1iatory motions and other de-
vices the conduct of the offending mem
Der being brought before the society for
action for at least one year, and possibly
forevever-motions so clearly at variance
with the rules of the manual used as
parliamentary guide at our meetings
that the chair had no option but to rule
such motions out of order.
The motion made by Capt. Chas. II.
Chase was that when thee society ad-
journ it adjourn to meet on certain
day in February, and then consider the
question which was to be brought before
the annual meeting regarding the con-
duct of Capt. B. F. Woodbury.. This
motion, according to the manual above
referred to, is precisely equivalent to q
motion for indefinite postponement, and
should have been SO treated; and as far
as the chair could explain and rule.
it was SO treated, when l re-
quested attention of each member to the
scope and bearing of Capt Chase's motion
at the same time charging him with the
intention to defeat any action being taken
in regard to this members conduct.
Nevertheless, the appeal of Capt.
Chase from the ruling Of the chair. to
the society assembled for deliberative pur
poses was sustained, thus making it
plain to each member that my continu-
ance as your presiding officer will be
neither satisfactory to myself nor pro-
duotive Of benefit to the society, because
the good of the Portland Marine Society
requires that your presiding officer shall
be sustained in the orderly and parlia-
mentary discharge of his duties, and es-
pecially those OF dlsagreeable nature.
Consequently, with the expression OF my
warmest thanks to those members who
have SO uniformly and courteously sus-
tanned me, / most respectfully decline
to accept further responsibility or re-
main longer President of your society.
In rendering my refusal to accept
your preferred honor, permit me to war;
each and every member that society
like ours cannot long exist with sucl
dissensions, and which tolerates sucf
unparliamentary attempts to sustain q
member who sets at defiance the will Of
majority of your members, as was wit
messed at your annual meeting.
With the most heartfelt esteem for
those members who, favoring harmony
and good order. have the courage to main
tain them, am yours sincerely,
j. W. DEERING.