The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-03
SURPRISE SPRUNG
AT YACHT CLUB
N ELEcTlNG OFFICERS.
QUIET WORK BEFORE ELECTION
PUT NEW BOARD IN CONTROL.

Cecil Gabbett Defeated j. Ferris
Cam for Commodore, and w. w.
Gordon, Jr., Beat james NJ. Dixon
for Vice Commodore by One Vote.
Former Commodore ii. II. Bacon
Declined Recollection Harry
StrachRn Made Rear Commodore,
and w. IL. COnnerat, Jr., Secretary
and Treasurer.
In a spirited election at the annual
meeting of the Savannah Yacht Club,
yesterday afternoon all of the
candidates of the coterie that has
heretofore managed the affairs of the
club were defeated. Mr.. Cecil Gabbett
was elected commodore over Maj. ].
Ferris Cam.
1t was well understood that Commo-
dore II. H. Bacon would not be a can
didate for reelection, and much spec
ulation was INDUCED in as to who
would be his successor. The general
impression was that the office wculd
be filled by the election of some one
in the line of promotion, or at least
by a member of the coteries that has
heretofore handled the affairs of the
club.
1t appears from the result of the
election, however, that some quiet but
effective work had been done, and
what might be called a new deal"
had been decided on.
The new board of officers and stew
ards is as follows:
Commodore--Cecl Gabbett.
Vice Commodore-W. w. Gordon, Jr.
Rear Commodore-Harry Strachan.
Secretary and Treasurer-W. H. Con-
nerat, Jr.
Board of Stewards. H. H. Os-
borne, d. c. Barrow, M. w. Dixon, w.
c. McDonough, John S. Schley, L. Ad-
Ter, c. c. Martin, Harry Willink, Ed
ward Stoddard, ]. ]. Rauers, DIR. w.
F. Drummer and r. d. Stevens.
No printed tickets were used in the
election, but the men who were inter-
ested in the change had typewriter
ballots ready when the time to vote
came. OF the eighty-four members
who attended the meeting, all were in
a good humor and took whatever came
to them, either victory or defeat, like
the good club men that they are.
Voting Was Close.
Commodore Bacon, who presided,
having declined a reelection to the
Office he had filled so well, nominations
for his successor were in order. Mr..
Cecil Gabbett and Maj. ]. Ferris Cam
were named
When the ballots had been cast it
was found that Mr.. Gabbett had
been elected by a majority of five
votes. The next Office TO be filled was
that of vice commodore, for which
Capt. w. w. Gordon, Jr., and Mr..
James M. Dixon were nominated. This
election was even closer than the pre-
ceding one for Capt. Gordon received
the office by the narrow margin of one
vote The elections to both these
| offices We're then made unanimous.
Commodore-elect Gabbett being alb
sent Commodore Bacon vacated the
| chair in favor of Vice Commodore
Gordon. Mr.. Strachan, whose name
was on the typewriter ballots, was
named for the position of rear COM
modore and, being unopposed was
unanimously elected. The position OF
the same way by the election of Mr..
w. H. Connerat, Jr.
Rules Were Suspended.
It was moved that a committee be
appointed to suggest twelve stewards
and a recess of fifteen minutes was
taken while this body. scanned the
list of members" as was explained by
one member of this committee.
When the meeting was again called
| to order the nominees were found to
| be those whose names were given on
a typewriter list
There was opposition to electing the
| board as a whole by suspending the
rules. but the rules were suspended
nevertheless, only one vote being cast
| against the motion, and the board pro-
| posed by the committee was elected
| This practically concluded the meet
| ing. The members of the club, hav-
| ing accomplished what had been oil
chief interest to them, resolved to re-
| ceive the reports of the officers with
| out reading them.
Meeting "A Pleasant One.
In spite of the contest for Office the
meeting was a most pleasant and har-
monious, If not unanimous, one. A mo-
| ton was made to have the statement
| of the financial condition of the club
sent to every member ten days be-
| fore the annual meeting, but 1t was
explained that this could not we'll be
| done. and the motion was referred to
| the board of stewards. Ex-Commodore
! Bacon was voted the thanks of the
club for his services and was elected
an honorary member by a rising and
| unanimous vote.
1t is understood that the annual
dues of the club will be reduced to
| the amount that was paid a short
time ago-$10. Thirty-one designations
! from the club were received, but they
| had no connection with what was
done at the meeting.