Spielmann does not seem to know that the first "scratching" is seen as a kind of "skirmish". He then explains the process involved in an Academy election. The election that concerns Spielmann ran in such a manner. There was a wish to elect a sculptor, leading to
Harry Bates get many votes in the second election. A similar thing happened for the third election when an architect,
Jackson was voted for. He offers all of this in confidence, so that Spielmann properly understands the full process.