Editorial note — Chapter LIII · THE FUNERAL OF DEMOCRACY
Reading edition
K. Just to make the thing real to you, I give you one glimpse of the steam-roller, taken from the transcript as furnished by the N. E. A. secretary. The assembly is here voting on Section 9, which provides for the packing of the N. E. A. with a hundred and fifty-one ex-officio delegates, state superintendents, state directors, life directors, and miscellaneous officers. It has been moved to amend this section by striking out the ex-officio members; but in the uproar it is impossible for the opposition to know what is being voted on. The amendment is voted down, Section 9 is jammed through, and Margaret Haley is refused the right to ask a question. Field secretary Magill starts to go on to Section 10; but the protest against this becomes so vehement that the gang sees it has to give way, and Professor Driggs blandly rises and pleads for fair play—delicious irony! So Margaret Haley receives an opportunity to be informed by the chairman that the measure she has been trying to oppose has already been carried! The text follows:
The Chairman: Are you ready for the question? (Cries of question, question.)
A Delegate: I rise to a question of personal privilege.
The Chairman: What is your question of personal privilege?
A Delegate: There has been some imputation cast upon the teachers of Salt Lake and Utah as to the packing of this convention. (Cries of out of order, out of order.)
The Chairman: You are out of order. (Cries of question, question.)
The Chairman: We will now vote on the amendment. All of those in favor of the amendment say aye. All those opposed say no. The amendment is lost.
A Delegate: Question on the original motion.
The Chairman: The question is now on the original motion. Are you ready? (Cries of question, question.)
The Chairman: All those in favor signify by saying aye. Those opposed. Unanimously carried.
A Lady Delegate: A question of information——
The Chairman: The motion is unanimously carried.
Miss Margaret Haley (Chicago): We couldn’t hear what you were voting on.
A Delegate: Madam Chairman, I think at this point it would be well to listen to the lady’s question. She rose and asked for information before that vote was put. Because of the inability of the chairman to hear her it was passed.
The Chairman: Out of order.
A Delegate: She just asked a question, that is all.
A Delegate: Is it possible we cannot present a question in this assembly?
Mr. Magill: Section 10——
A Delegate: Madam Chairman, Madam Chairman, I rise to a point of order. Is it possible we cannot hear a question in this assembly?
A Delegate: No, it is not possible.
A Delegate: That lady wants to hear a question. I would like to know what it is. (Applause.)
Mr. Driggs (Utah): I appeal from the decision of the chair on a point of order. Salt Lake is going to stand for a square deal. We want the lady’s question. (Applause.)
A Delegate: Come to the platform.
Miss Margaret Haley (Chicago): It is not necessary for me to go to the platform. I wished to ask the question before the vote is taken. It was impossible for us to hear what was being done and I didn’t know the question that was being voted on. I ask for information as to what the motion was.
The Chairman: The amendment was voted down and the motion was carried, Miss Haley. We presented to everyone that came, when the business opened, a copy; we want it in the hands of every active member and I so announced exactly what we were doing.
Miss Haley (Chicago): That is not the question I asked. I asked what was the motion that we were voting on. We didn’t hear it when it was stated.
The Chairman: We were voting on section 9 then: we were voting on the amendment to section 9.