MEETING OF CIIExVIISTS AND DRUGGISTS. 
543 
The resolution, as amended, was unanimously agreed to. 
At this period the proceedings became of a very stormy character,—so much 
so,, that all that can be done is to endeavour to give some outline of what 
occurred. 
Mr. Wade proposed the following resolution :— 
“ That the deputation or committee consist of tioentij-one unincorporated chemists 
and druggists, comprising ten members of the United "Society and the President, and 
ten unconnected with either society ; and that they be empowered to confer with the 
Council of the Pharmaceutical Society for the purpose of framing an Act of Incor¬ 
poration, based upon the foregoing resolutions.” 
Mr. Cannon seconded it, and expressed a hope that they would all be 
chemists and druggists. 
This remark raised a complete storm, and he was asked to w ithdraw his 
expression of opinion. Great indignation was expressed at the proposal* to 
take it out of the hands of the Executive Committee, wdiich it was said had 
been in existence for more than seven years, and had worked hard for the 
good of the trade. Numbers were speaking at the same time, and the Secre¬ 
tary, wdio was communicating witli the Sheffield deputation, was several times 
called to order, and requested to keep his place at the table by the side of the 
President. He accordingly did so, but at the same time audibly expressed 
his opinion of the ingratitude of those present, after the manner the Execu¬ 
tive Committee had w^orked for the benefit of the trade generally. Mr. 
Buott, jun., said there could be no doubt as to the object and intention of the 
resolution. He thought it was open to a practical objection. The deputation 
should be as open as possible, and so far from wishing to limit the number, 
the Executive Committee w ould be happy to have the concurrence of the 
whole body of the trade. If the meeting was sincere, it ought not to bind 
the deputation to a particular number from each body. There was a little 
underground work in thus trying to throw into the shade the exertions of the 
United Society ; that the representatives of the meeting should be in suffi¬ 
cient numbers to put aside the expressions of the United Society as the ex¬ 
ponents of the trade. Mr. Wade, howxver, refused to alter the terms of his 
motion, and the meeting was a great representation of a “ Disunited society.” 
Two amendments were proposed : one by Mr. Heppell, which was altered 
three times ; first, that the deputation should consist of twenty-one members, 
the gentlemen to be nominated and elected by this meeting; then “ members ” 
was altered to chemists,” and afterwards “gentlemen,” so as to admit those 
who were not chemists. Neither change appeared to give satisfaction, and 
Mr. Hornby moved, as another amendment, “ That the deputation should 
consist of the Executive Committee of the United Society of Chemists and 
Druggists, and any other gentlemen willing to join them.” Amongst the 
confusion that prevailed, .the Chairman said he should put the last amend¬ 
ment, and, on calling for a division, the Secretary held up his hand, which 
was objected to by some of the members of the Society. He, however, claimed 
his right as a member to vote, but at the request of the Chairman he desisted. 
The hands were counted. At first they were stated to be twenty-two for, and 
afterwards twenty ; and nineteen against. It was then arranged that the 
supporters and objectors should separate and be again counted, and when 
that w as done the numbers were announced as twenty-six for the amendment, 
and seventeen against it. Dissatisfaction was then expressed, that persons 
had voted who were not chemists and druggists, and it was proposed that the 
names should be written down on paper. It was accordingly proceeded with; 
but as many had left, the Chairman, with a loud blow of his hammer on the 
table, finding it impossible to properl}^ conduct the business, declared the 
meeting closed, and left the chair. 
