AN EXCITING ELECTION.
It was the last day of the month, and the instructors in the three
vessels of the squadron were very busy in adding the merit-rolls on
the record books. It was necessary that all this work should be very
carefully done, for a mistake of a single mark might send a cabin
officer into the steerage, or a seaman from the steerage into the
cabin. Every addition was verified, therefore, by a second person. The
students had abundant opportunities to canvass and electioneer, as all
the instructors were at work in the main cabin. While the seamen were
on shore, the officers had been using the Novelty presses and the types
in printing the ballots for the next day. And they had just as much
difficulty in "making up the slate" as a ring of older politicians.
While few of the officers were willing to stand as candidates for
positions lower in rank than those they held at the time, some
desired to go a little higher. There were no little compromising and
"log-rolling" but it ought to be said that Commodore Cumberland and
Captain Lincoln, while they were willing to place themselves "in the
hands of their friends," refrained entirely from pressing their claims.
On the other hand, De Forrest and Beckwith had used their influence
to better their own condition. The former was afraid his merit-rank
would be lower than his present position, and he agreed with the latter
to make him second lieutenant, if Beckwith would work to nominate
and elect him as first. The nominations were full of difficulty. De
Forrest, as the originator of the plan which had been adopted, felt
that he had some claims to consideration. Of course, as Judson and
Norwood were to be displaced if De Forrest and Beckwith were advanced,
it was necessary for the latter aspirants to work privately and
carefully. But the secret could not long be kept, and when the first
and second lieutenants learned that there was a movement on foot to
displace them, they were very angry and indignant, and protested with
all their might against the injustice. The De Forrest plan was already
at a discount with a considerable portion of the cabin officers.
The discussion in the after cabin was becoming violent and noisy;
and at the suggestion of Captain Lincoln, it was voted to appoint a
committee, who should retire to a state-room and prepare a ticket. The
commodore, the captain, and Sheridan, the first midshipman, constituted
this committee; and after an absence of an hour, they reported that
the several officers should be nominated in the order of their present
rank. This report, if accepted, would defeat the aspirations of
Beckwith, and he refused to assent to it. De Forrest, who felt that
his claims were not recognized by the report, was not satisfied with
it. As each of these aspirants had several friends, the compromise was
not agreeable. The name of Cantwell had not been mentioned for any
position. He sat in a corner of the cabin, a silent but interested
listener, until the vote on the report of the committee was about to be
taken.
"Mr. Chairman," said he, addressing Ryder, the fourth lieutenant, who
had been chosen to this position, "it strikes me that these proceedings
are slightly insular. Who are expected to vote this ticket when it is
made up?"
"All who are willing to do so, of course," answered Ryder.
"Then you are selecting candidates for the crew to vote for, as well as
the officers?"
"Certainly."
"It seems to me, then, that the seamen ought to be represented in
a meeting of this kind. They are to cast four fifths of the votes,
but are not permitted to say a word in regard to the nominations,"
continued Cantwell, in a very quiet tone, in strong contrast with the
one he had usually adopted, showing that Scott's lesson on Sunday had
done him some good.
"How can we hold a caucus of the whole ship's company?" inquired De
Forrest.
"It can be done on deck without the least difficulty."
"It don't seem practicable to me," added Beckwith.
"I suppose the ticket nominated here is not binding upon any one,"
suggested Captain Lincoln. "For my part, I quite agree that the crew
ought to be consulted. Mr. Chairman, I move that this report be laid
upon the table. If my motion prevails, I shall offer another, looking
to a caucus of the whole ship's company."
"I second the motion," added Cantwell.
"Mr. Chairman, I don't see the use--"
"The motion to lay on the table is not debatable," interposed Ryder.
"It is moved and seconded that the report of the committee be laid on
the table."
The motion was rejected, only half a dozen of the officers voting
in favor of it. The report of the committee was accepted by a bare
majority.
"As I said before, I suppose the action of this meeting is not binding
upon any one," continued Lincoln, "but is simply an arrangement among
ourselves."
"I think it is binding upon all who are present at this meeting,"
replied the chairman, who was decidedly in favor of the report, for
he foresaw that, if De Forrest and Beckwith were advanced, Judson and
Norwood would be crowded down, and he would not be a candidate for
either of the five highest places in the ship.
"I certainly do not consider myself bound by it," said Cantwell.
"Nor I," added De Forrest.
"Nor I," repeated Beckwith.
But the business was finished, though nothing had really been done.
One Novelty press was immediately set at work in printing what Ryder,
Judson, and Norwood called the regular ticket, while De Forrest and
Beckwith seized upon the other to print their own ticket, in which
Ryder was utterly ignored. By the time the seamen returned from the
island, three hundred of each of these tickets had been printed.
Scott had carefully instructed the members of the new order to "say
nothing to nobody" in regard to the strength of the organization, or
anything else relating to it. Of course those who had been to the
island, but refused to join the order, knew something about the matter.
They were aware that the members were all pledged to vote for Cantwell;
but they had not estimated the number who had accepted the obligation.
As soon as the boats had been hoisted up, the friends of the two
tickets which had been made up in the cabin went to work upon the
seamen. De Forrest and Beckwith had made all sorts of promises to
various officers to support them at the election following that of the
next day, if they would go for the "independent ticket," as they styled
their own, at the present time. When the advocates of the "regular
ticket" understood what the "bolters" were doing, they crossed out
De Forrest's and Beckwith's names, and substituted that of Ryder for
third lieutenant, and that of Murray, the second master, for fourth.
The young gentlemen were having a foretaste of the complications of
politics, and a great deal of ill feeling was aroused. It was evident
enough to the fair-minded, unselfish ones in the cabin, that the new
plan was not working well, and they were very much disgusted at the
conduct of De Forrest and Beckwith in particular. It was nothing but
a scramble for office, without much regard for fitness among the
candidates. The only redeeming feature of the business was the fact
that Lincoln's name was on both of the cabin tickets; but then he was
so popular, and so thoroughly competent for the captaincy, that neither
of the factions dared to think of displacing him.
"I say, Longwood, I want you to go for the independent ticket," said De
Forrest, addressing one of the students who had declined to join the
Bangwhangers.
"The opposition have just formed a secret society, and all its members
are pledged to vote for Cantwell," replied Longwood.
"Cantwell! nonsense! He can't be elected to any office."
"No use; the fellows know him too well. We had a meeting in the cabin,
and there will be two tickets. This will be the winning one;" and the
third lieutenant handed Longwood one of the printed ballots.
"What's the other ticket?"
"The present officers; but I have just found out that they are taking
my name off the ticket, and putting on Murray's. What do you think of
that? Is it fair play?"
"Well, I don't know; but if you are working against the regular ticket,
you can't expect its friends to go for you," replied Longwood.
"But they want to shove me down, and I hope my friends won't let them
do it. I got up this plan, you know, but the fellows don't seem to give
me any credit for it. Vote this ticket--won't you?"
"I'll see," answered the voter, as the candidate passed on to another.
The first lieutenant, Judson, knowing the influence of Scott among the
crew, went to him the moment he came on board, to present the claims of
the regular ticket.
"I'm a Cantwell man," replied Scott.
"It's no use to go for him; he can't be elected," said Judson.
"Who knows?" added Scott.
"We have had a meeting in the cabin, and have regularly nominated a
ticket."
"Probably it didn't occur to you that the crew had any right to meddle
with the matter."
"Yes; we considered the subject; but we hadn't time to call a meeting
of the whole ship's company."
"Time is short," laughed Scott.
"If the fellows in the steerage wish it, perhaps we can put Cantwell on
the regular ticket as fourth lieutenant, instead of Murray."
"I am not authorized to speak for our fellows; and I don't know that
they would vote your ticket even if you put Cantwell's name on it."
"Cantwell's name wouldn't strengthen our ticket at all."
"Perhaps not."
Scott took one of the ballots, but would not even promise to consider
it.
"The officers have had a caucus in the cabin, Scott," said Cantwell.
"So Mr. Judson informs me; and they haven't put your name on the
ticket?"
"No; of course I didn't expect them to do it. I told them the crew
ought to be consulted, and Captain Lincoln tried to make a motion to
that effect, but they wouldn't do it."
"Never mind what they do; none of their tickets will be elected."
"I don't know about that. They have two tickets, and every fellow
in the cabin except me, is at work for one or the other of them.
Whichever one is elected, I shall be thrown overboard."
"Perhaps not--who knows?" said Scott. "You may be elected captain,
after all--who knows?"
"Impossible! I should be satisfied if I were fourth lieutenant, and I
am sure my merit-rank would give me that place. But it's no use; I'm
counted out."
"Not yet; wait till after election before you give it up. The fellows
like fair play; and if you hadn't put on airs before this plan came up,
they would make you commodore, just because the cabin nobs are trying
to count you out. That's what's the matter. They like your cause a good
deal better than they like you. As it is, they mean to see that you
have fair play to-morrow. If you should happen to be elected to any
office to-morrow, I hope you will try to be a good fellow."
"I certainly shall," replied Cantwell.
De Forrest was waiting for a chance to speak to Scott, and the C. B.
passed on, leaving Cantwell in a very desponding state of mind. The
situation had taken the conceit out of him. Conscious of his ability to
win even the highest position, he had taken no pains to conciliate his
associates, and he was reaping the legitimate harvest of his selfish
conduct and his overbearing manner. Certainly the De Forrest plan had
already done him a great good. His manners were changed, for he had
learned that he was not of half so much consequence as he supposed;
and his present depression of spirits did not permit him to put on
airs, he had learned that, in all communities, every individual owes
something of respect, kindness, and consideration to every other
individual, even the superior to the inferior. It was a lesson which
he would have been compelled to learn a few years later, if the
circumstances had not obliged him to accept it at the present time. It
is certainly true that young men are older and wiser at eighteen than
at any subsequent period of their lives, and in Cantwell's case this
self-importance was considerably exaggerated above the average. Most
young men have to be "taken down," and the rough circumstances of life
generally do it in the course of a few years, without any earthquake or
other violent commotion.
Scott's party did no electioneering. Knowing what the next day was to
bring forth, they were particularly jolly, and listened good-naturedly
to all the cabin politicians had to say. They were remarkably cautious
and prudent, and though the fact of the secret organization was known
throughout the ship, the officers did not suspect that it numbered
members enough to control the election. The canvass was lively till the
anchor watch was stationed on deck, and all hands were compelled to
turn in.
The next morning a dense fog hid even the nearest island from
view. The Finnish pilots declined to take the vessels through the
intricate channels among the islands, except under the most favorable
circumstances. After breakfast the principal sent a note to each of
the vice-principals. Scott pulled an oar in the boat which delivered
them. While the messenger was in the cabin, he went on the deck of the
Josephine, and walking about among the crew with the forefinger of his
right hand on his nose, he soon discovered half a dozen making the sign.
"Bang!" said he, selecting one of them.
"Whang," laughed the seaman.
"Who knows?"
"Eye, nose," answered the other, making the proper signs.
"Who knows?"
"Eighty-six noses."
"Right, Brother Bangwhanger; come to my arms. Vote for Lincoln for
commodore," said Scott; "and pass it along to every member."
After repeating this direction in due form to several others, the C. B.
returned to the boat, and did the same thing on board of the Tritonia.
In each of the two consorts, the members of the order were to nominate
a ticket to suit themselves; and so far as they were concerned, the
pledge to vote for Cantwell was meaningless. When the boat returned,
all hands were piped to muster, and the principal, with the merit-roll
in his hand, mounted the rostrum over the main hatch.
"Young gentlemen, in accordance with the change in the method of
appointing the officers, announced at Åbo yesterday, the election of
commodore of the squadron will take place at ten o'clock to-day," said
Mr. Lowington. "The result of the balloting in the consorts will be
transmitted without delay to the ship. The election of captain will
immediately follow, and then of the four lieutenants, each in the order
of rank, and on separate ballots."
"We have printed ballots containing the names of all the candidates,"
said De Forrest.
"I think it best to elect only one officer at a ballot."
"I hope the election will be postponed till eleven o'clock then, in
order to give us time to prepare the separate ballots."
"Very well; I consent to the change of time; and the consorts shall be
notified at once," replied the principal, who went to the cabin, wrote
two notes, and sent them to the vice-principals by the adult forward
officers.
"Now, let us understand the method of proceeding thoroughly," continued
Mr. Lowington, as he returned to his position on the hatch. "Only
a captain is eligible to the office of commodore, or the present
incumbent may be reëlected. Only the present cabin officers can be
candidates for the five highest offices in the ship; and agreeably to
the proviso relating to the ship, no officer who falls below the rank
of No. 16 is eligible to any office, but must return to the steerage.
Are these rules fully understood?"
"Yes, sir," responded the crowd.
"Further, if any student who is now the commodore, the captain, or a
lieutenant, should not be elected to one of these positions, what would
his rank be for next month?"
"Just the same as it would have been, if the new plan had not been
adopted," replied De Forrest.
"I am glad you understand it," added the principal, with a significant
look at the third lieutenant. "I will now read the merit-roll, in order
that you may know who are, and who are not, eligible to the elective
offices. Lincoln is number 1; Cumberland, 2; Norwood, 3; Judson, 4;
Murray, 5; Cantwell, 6; Sheridan, 7; Ryder, 8; Vroome, 9; Beckwith,
10; De Forrest, 11; Wainwright, 12; Jones, 13; Orlof, 14; Messenger,
15; Brown, 16. All but three of these may be candidates for the first
six offices; and those not elected to higher positions will take their
rank by the merit-roll."
Three of the cabin officers had dropped into the steerage, and three in
the steerage had risen to the cabin; and when the names of the latter
were read, they were greeted with earnest applause. The rest of the
names on the roll were read, and the ship's company dismissed. The
Novelty printing presses were again in demand. Scott obtained one, and
De Forrest the other; and so rapidly was the printing of the ballots
accomplished, that by ten o'clock the required number were printed.
Promptly at six bells, or eleven o'clock, the ship's company were piped
to muster again. The principal made careful arrangements for a fair
vote. The box was placed on a water cask, and on each side of it one
of the instructors, to see that no one put in more than one ballot.
The students were then formed in a single line, on the starboard
side, and required to march around the box, deposit their votes, and
then to come round upon the port side, the forward officers standing
amidships to prevent any from passing over and voting a second time.
The principal was aware that the most intense excitement pervaded the
crew, and he deemed it proper, even for the appearances' sake, to guard
against "repeaters" and "ballot stuffers." One officer and two seamen
were appointed to count the votes, and when all had deposited their
ballots, the committee, attended by the two instructors, retired to
the main cabin to perform their duty. While they were thus engaged, a
boat from the Josephine, and another from the Tritonia, brought the
result of the voting in these vessels to the ship. The returns were in
sealed envelopes, and were sent down to the committee. In a short time
the votes were counted, the returns from the consorts added, and the
whole verified by the instructors present. Murray, the officer on the
committee who had been named first was to make the report.
When he came on deck, the ship's company gathered around the rostrum,
from which the result was to be announced, and there was intense
anxiety manifested by both parties.
"Give your attention to the report of the committee," said Mr.
Lowington.
"Whole number of votes, 170," said Murray, reading from the paper in
his hand. "Necessary for a choice, 86. Captain Wolff has 5; Captain
Langdon has 9; Commodore Cumberland has 64; Captain Lincoln has 92, and
is elected."
The De Forresters looked at each other in blank amazement, for this
result was wholly unexpected by them. It had never occurred to them
that Cumberland could be defeated, and all the anxiety they had in
relation to the vote for commodore was to ascertain the strength of the
opposition, who were understood to be running another candidate.
"Captain Lincoln, I congratulate you on your election," said
Cumberland, as soon as he could in some measure recover from his
astonishment.
"I thank you, commodore; but this is none of my doings. I am more
astonished than you can be, and don't propose to stand it," replied
Lincoln.
"Three cheers for Commodore Lincoln," called one of the opposition,
and they were given on the instant; and Cumberland joined heartily in
the tribute.
"Mr. Lowington, I wish to decline!" shouted Lincoln. "I was not
a candidate for this position; I did not, and do not, desire the
position."
"All the captains were candidates," replied the principal. "If you had
given notice before the vote that you did not desire the position, and
would not accept, it would have been another thing."
"But I had no suspicion, till the ballot was taken, that any one
intended to vote for me," pleaded Lincoln. "I do not like to accept the
place for several reasons."
"I hope he will accept it, sir," said Commodore Cumberland; "and I
wish to say that, if another ballot is taken, I must decline to be a
candidate."
The opposition applauded violently. It was understood that Lincoln
declined out of regard to his friend and superior; but the noble
conduct of the commodore put to the blush some of the smaller aspirants
for office.
"I do not think that Captain Lincoln can decline, under the
circumstances," said the principal. "Such a step does not seem to be
in order. Besides, young gentlemen, you desired to vote, and I shall
not interfere with the freedom of the elections. I hope you will have
voting enough to-day fully to satisfy you. We will now proceed to the
election of the captain of the ship."
The boats from the Josephine and the Tritonia returned with the result
of the vote for commodore, and the balloting proceeded as before. This
was really the exciting contest of the day, and the De Forresters
were somewhat demoralized by the result of the ballot for commodore.
Under the arrangement made by the principal, the most perfect order
prevailed. Every student on board had been provided with all the
ballots in circulation, and the time for electioneering had gone by.
But the unexpected election of Lincoln as commodore had deranged
the plans of all but the opposition. All others, however, voted for
Cumberland for captain, for the ballots had nothing upon them but the
name of the candidate, and "Regular," "Independent," or "Equal Rights"
ticket, the last being the rallying cry of the opposition. The votes
were deposited in silence, and it was a very anxious period for the
cabin officers, for the present ballot would effectually prove where
the strength lay. The committee retired, and all hands nervously
awaited the result. In ten minutes Murray appeared with the paper on
which the state of the vote was written. As this ballot decided the
great question of all the elective offices, the hearts of the officers
were in their mouths, and the agitation of some of them was even
ludicrous.
"Give your attention to the report of the committee," said the
principal; but this was an unnecessary request, for every student was
all attention the moment Murray showed his head above the companionway.
"Whole number of votes, 88," said the chairman "Necessary for a choice,
45; Lieutenant Judson has 1; Commodore Cumberland has 39; Fourth Master
Cantwell has 48, and is elected."
The opposition cheered lustily, and laughed their satisfaction, as
they beheld the blank dismay of the agitators.
"I'll quit the ship!" cried De Forrest, his face red from the violence
of his wrath. "I'll run away the first chance I get."
"So will I," replied Beckwith. "We are sold out."
"Mr. De Forrest," said the principal, in a loud tone, which immediately
produced the silence of curiosity.
"Sir," replied the malcontent.
"Did I understand you to say you would leave the ship?"
"I did say so, sir," replied the third lieutenant, who, however, did
not intend to be over-heard by the principal. "I didn't mean anything
by it."
"It is well you did not. I see that you are not satisfied with this
result."
"No, sir, I am not; and I don't think any one else is. We have been
cheated."
"Do you mean to say that the ballot was not perfectly fair."
"That was fair enough, but there is cheating somewhere."
"I don't think there is. The result is not much different from what I
expected," replied the principal, with a pleasant smile on his face.
"When I learned that the officers had held a caucus for the nomination
of candidates in the after cabin, and refused to consult the seamen on
the subject, it seemed quite probable that the regular ticket would
be defeated. I heard that Captain Lincoln attempted to have a meeting
of all hands to consider the subject, but was overruled. I am not
astonished that he is elected commodore. Young gentlemen, you wished to
vote, and you have voted."
The opposition cheered and applauded furiously. They cheered Lincoln
and the principal, and had begun to give three groans for De Forrest,
when they were checked by Mr. Lowington.
"It is weak and foolish now to say there has been cheating, when the
result does not please you," continued the principal. "It appears now
that Cantwell, who is No. 6 on the merit-roll, has been elected captain
by a majority of the votes. Captain Cantwell, I congratulate you on
your election, and you shall have every facility for discharging your
duty."
"Thank you, sir. I am very much obliged to those who voted for me; and
I will endeavor to do my duty faithfully, courteously, and kindly,"
replied the new captain.
There were two or three attempts to hiss but the demonstration was
promptly checked, even before it was drowned out by the vociferous
applause of the opposition. Commodores Lincoln and Cumberland manfully
congratulated Cantwell, and promised to support him fairly and
honorably in the discharge of his duty.
"Young gentlemen, the fog is lifting, and we must proceed with the
elections," resumed the principal, "You will now bring in your ballots
for first lieutenant."
Cumberland was the nominee of the opposition for this office, and as
the regulars voted for him also, he was elected over the independent
ticket of De Forrest, who had put himself in nomination, and who
obtained but thirteen votes. Of course he was more disgusted than
before. He declared that his friends had deserted him, and served him a
mean trick. Judson was chosen second lieutenant, and Norwood third, by
about the same vote. Sheridan, who was the candidate of the opposition,
received just the number necessary for a choice, which seemed to be the
exact strength of the Bangwhangers in the ship, the rest of them being
in the consorts. The elective offices being filled, it was necessary to
fix the rank of the remaining officers by the merit-roll. Murray was
the new first master; Beckwith's rank was the same as before; and De
Forrest was first purser--an office of trust, but generally disliked by
the students, who did not wish to be mere clerks. By the changes of the
month, three of the Bangwhangers became officers.
The students were dismissed from muster, and the new officers ordered
to put on the uniform of their rank. Very exciting conversations in the
after cabin and steerage followed. Lincoln and Cumberland treated the
new captain kindly, for which he was very grateful. Wainwright, Jones,
and Brown, who had been promoted from the steerage, congratulated
him, but no other officer said a word to him. He was captain, but the
position promised to have its thorns as well as its roses. However,
his first lieutenant, the late commodore, who was one of the ablest
seamen on board, and was above any jealousy or meanness, had treated
him handsomely, and promised to support him. At dinner, after he had
put on his captain's uniform, Cantwell seated himself at one end of
the table, while Lincoln sat at the other, and the first lieutenant at
the captain's right. Most of the officers looked ugly, and it was not a
cheerful meal.