Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1910-01-21
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COMMUNICATIONS. y
Unfair Treatment Says StOckholde
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Unfair Treatment Says Stockholder.
Editor Courier; For the benefit OF
stockholders Of the Applegate Val
ley Telephone company who reside In
Grants Pass and elsewhere that did
not attend the annual meeting held
on the 10th instant, beg space in
the Courier's columns to say few
words In regard to an effort made 10
dlsfranchise stockholders from yOt-
ing, and also the chairman's inter-
probation OF the companys constltu-
ton to dlsqualify stockholders being
represented by proxy
It was plainly apparent, even be-
fore the meeting was called to order,
that an effort would be made to dom
mate over the meeting, and when the
question OF electing a board Of di-
rectors was taken up, motion was
made to debar any member from vot-
ing whose telephone dues were not
fully paid up" and as the dominating
spirit appeared TO be in the majority,
the motion would have passed, but a
prominent member, whose judgment
was too well known to be questioned, 4,
quickly objected to such an effort
and killed the motion in the bud
The next move was made by the
secretary reading section OF the
company's constitution, viz: This
company shall Immediately after the
adoption Of this constitution, and an
nually thereafter, elect a board OF
nine directors by majority ballot
Of the stockholders present at such
meeting, etc" He was Joined by
several others in constituting "major-
ity ballot by the stockholders pres
ent" to mean that the stockholder
must be present in person and not by
any delegated proxy. This was OBJ
iected to by minority member, who
raised the question that such con-
struction was not constitutional. but
the objection was ignored by the
chair and all proxies present were de-
barred from voting.
One Of the members then proceed
ed to nominate a full slated ticket
OF nine for board Of directors and at
tempted, by motion, to close nomina-
tions before any others could be
made
The minority members who attend.
ed this meeting had no axe to grind
no slated ticket to Offer or any spite.
ful motive in being present, but they
were there TO vote either in person
or by proxy for their choice for d.
rectors, and to obtain information a.
to the company's present condition
and Its future prospects; and, beinl
citizens OF the United States, thought
they were living In free America
where equality is granted to all ant
where the rights OF all American citl
zens are protected; but, alas, It ap
pears that they had placed themselve.
under the domination Of the Car ol
Russia and the gag rule was in force
We are aware that in all rura
communities there are most always
some illlterate persons who are. fol
various reasons, eXcusabe in such
business matters, but when men who
are asplrants for the legislature and
for county commissioner indulge In
and contend that such rot Is right
and proper IT'S enough to make a
school boy blush.
The constitution Of Oregon. Soc
tion . of article II, provides that
Corporations may be formed under
general laws, but shall not be created
by special laws, except tor municipal
purposes, % and then, turning to gen.
eral laws under private corporations.
In section 5223, providing for annual
elections of directors, we find this
clause. And each stakeholder. who
shall attend In person or by proxy.
appointed by writing, and subscribed
by such stockholder, shall be entitled
to one vote for each share Of stock
subscribed by him. Now, how any
intelligent person can construc sec.
tlon OF the company's constitution
to mean that mo stakeholder can
vote at u stockholders meeting by
proxy Is too deep for any one to
solve unless It's the Car or his sub
ordinate who Interpreted shall elec,
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