Gran. The motion before the meeting is that the Chief Magistrate shall take the chair. Shall I assume it to be carried? (Silence follows.)
The Mayor. Yes. (Laughter.)
Gran. The meeting should preferably elect some one who may be considered to be unaffected by considerations of party.
Alstad (half rising, with his glasses in his hand). Then we shall have to send for some one that does not live in these parts! There is no one of that sort left here! (Sits down, amidst laughter.)
The Priest. All authority springs from on high. Obedience to those set in authority over us is obedience to the Almighty. But it is against this very obedience that people are rebelling nowadays.
Gran. It is precisely some one to be in authority over us that we want to elect. At present we have no one.
The Priest. No, that's just it. Every meeting nowadays seems to claim authority on its own account. Let rather show our respect to actual authority—such respect as we would show to our fathers. (Sits down.)
Gran. Then, as far as I can grasp the situation, the Chief Magistrate has been proposed and seconded?
The Priest. Yes.
Gran. Does any one wish to propose any one else? (Silence.)