"It is moved and seconded that the committee be nominated by the chair."
"Mr. Chairman, it does not seem to me to be exactly right that the committee should be nominated by the chairman, who is opposed to the plan," suggested Beckwith.
"The chairman has not yet indicated whether he is in favor or opposed to the plan," said Cantwell, with a contemptuous curl of his lips and nose. "He intends to be entirely impartial in the discharge of his duty."
A shout of applause from the opposition followed this remark.
"The student who spoke against the plan mentioned the chairman in the same category with himself."
"The chairman did not authorize him to do so," answered Cantwell.
"Question!" shouted the jokers.
"The question is called for, which is, that the chairman nominate the committee."
The vote was taken and doubted. The count, by tellers, as before, resulted in a tie; for several who had voted for the plan, moved by the apparent impartiality of the chairman, broke loose from party discipline, and voted with the other side.
"The chair votes in the affirmative, and the motion is carried," said Cantwell, as soon as the tellers had reported. "The chair nominates Lieutenants Judson and Norwood, and Mr. Scott. The question is upon the confirming of the nomination of the chair."