Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-02-04

Chicago, February 1.-The annual
meeting of the stockholders of the Dia-
mond Match Company was held to-day
in the Pullman building and resulted
in the election of the old board of di-
rectOrs, after one Of the stormiest and
most exciting sessions in the history of
the company. replete as it has been
with interesting situations. Misman-
agement and charges of a criminal ma
ture were preferred by the Gould in
terests. These interests were, how
ever, in hopeless minority, as was
soon shown, and their fighting, though
vigorous and persistent, was to no pur-
pose.
The meeting was called to order by
President Barber. The first war Of
words started with the election of the
chairman of the meeting. President
Barber recognized Mr.. Baird, who NOM
mated Attorney Edwin Walker as
chairman amid the protests of e. V.
McCarty, one of Edwin Gould's attor-
neys, he was declared elected. The
nomination and election of secretary
was made amid similar protests.
1t was the evident intention of those
in charge to override all opposition.
President Barber read his report, in
which he said: 1T is unfortunate that
the Diamond Match Company has for
so long a time been a public institution
so far as its workings and operations
are concerned Its earnings are known
70 the world and excite competition OF
not only capital but the inventive and
working energy of the world. With the
many acknowledged advantages we
feel confident that the company is in
a promising condition. There has been
no time in the history of the company
when its physical condition has been
in such perfect order Notwithstand-
ing this fact the efforts of your man
agement should, and doubtless will. be
continued to further perfect its ma
chinerv and methods. Notwithstand-
ing the mishaps in the last year it has
been able to pay its usual ten per cent.
cash dividend and will continue to do
so from earnings.
The statement was as follows: As
sets S12 4O0,346; cash S152,292; total
S12.5S2.73S Liabilities-capital stock
$1,000. 600; accounts payable S9OS,SS5;
bills payable S345, COO; surplus and pro-
fit $S99. .952. Total s12 ,73S.
Surplus account-Balance January /,
1896, 1907 ,040: less Ontonagon fire los
S134,129: earnings for 1896 81, ,226 AL;
less dividends. paid 1896. s1100000;
balance December q. 1896, SS99,952 In
the roster of assets $79S,767 was put
down against the MooreS.
At the conclusion of the address, Mr..
Baird moved that it be accepted and
approved. but Mr.. McCarty after sew
eral futile attempts succeeded in OBJ
tanning recognition and demanded to
know what the figures in the assets.
"Wm. II. and j. II. Moore, $79S, ,76711'
meant. President Barber refused TO
answer. and the question was finally
answered by Chairman Walker, who
said that it represented Indebtedness TO
the company by w. H. and J. II. Moore,
McCarty then wanted to know whether
the Moores had not written to President
Barber to obtain the funds of the Dia-
mond Match Company to be issued as
margins for speculation in the stock,
and proceeded to give dates and figures,
but was preemptorially shut off by the
chairman: Then Mr.. McCarty said:
q want to know whether the reason
President Barber declines to answer my
inquiry is because he fears TO incrimi-
nate himself?"
The meeting was in an uproar in an
instant and amid Grief of order Pres
ident Barber replied: Your question
is not only improper, but you yourself
are impertinent.
President Barber then stated that the
books of the company were open to the
inspection of the stockholders.
Attorney w. B. Keys then took the
lead for the opposition, but met with
no better success and the motion TO ap-
prove the Presidents report was final
" declared carried. The following were
then elected directors for the ensuing
wear: +. o. Barber. J. X. Robinson,
George T. Smith. George h. Webster
and Clarence Buckingham.