Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-10-16
THE JOURNAL.
The Convention of Loyal Women.


MuscArINE, Oct. 8.
The Convention was called to order at 81
o'clock by the President Mrs. Humphreys
The exercises were opened by singing
"My country, tits of thee" &c,
and by the reading of Scripture and an Off
ering TO the throne of grace by Rev. A. B.
Robbins, of Musca,ine.
The President announced the following
ladies' as composing a Business Committee
for the Convention: Mrs. Perry, of Keokuk
Mrs. Dr. Ristine, of Marion, and Mrs. Nc
Farland, Of Mt. Pleasant
Thereupon an exc ting discussion arose on
the power of the President to appoint such
Committee without the action of the Conven-
vention. The remarks of some Of the speak
ers were applauded in the clapping of hands
and stamping Of feet in approved masculine
style. The action of the President was en-
dorsed by majority vote.
The Committee on Constitution reported,
by their Chairwoman, Mrs. Mittenmyer, the
following preamble and Constitution:
PREAMBLE.
WHEREAS, Thousands of the brave and no.
bio men who have volunteered for the defense
OF our liberties are inmates of military hosp,-
tails and are suffering from wounds received
and diseases contracted while in the service
of the Government, and
WHEREAS, The arrangements of the Gov
eminent are inadequate to meet the great and
uncertain demands of the immense numbers
of sick thrown upon their hands, who are
forced to rely greatly upon the generous
efforts Of the people Of the loyal States; and,
WHEREAS, The present war has deprived
many children of father, and of the kind
care and support they might otherwise have
received; and,
WHERsAs, In Union there is strength :;
therefore,
Resoled, That we unite ourselves into .
State organization, for the purpose Of secur
ing large and constant supply Of Sanitary
goods, and faithful application of the same,
and for the purpose of building an Orphan
Asylum. To this end I'VE agree 70 be govern
ed by the following Constitution and By
Laws:
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE I. This Association shall be call
ed the Iowa State Sanitary Commission"
ART ii. The officers shall consist of a
President, - Vice Presidents, q Treasurer,
Recording Secretary and a Corresponding
s ecretary.
ART. III. 1t shall be the duty of the Pres
ident to preside at the meetings, and to per-
form such other duties as usually fall to a
President.
ART. w. 1t shall be the duty of the Vice
Presidents to perform the duties Of the Pres
ldent in case Of her absence or disability.
ART. V. 1t shall be the duty of the Re-
cording secretary to keep records of the pro-
ceeds Of each meeting, and all the Society
records.
ART. VII. 1t shall be the duty of the
Treasurer TO receive and keep all money be-
longing to the As ociation, and hold the same
subject t the orier Of the President and Cor.
responding Score airy, and make to the Socie
~, when called upon, an exhib of receipts
and disburs~ ments.
ART. VIII. THIS board of officers shall con-
stitute corporate body, empowered to do
business for the association in their absence.
ART. TX. This Constitution may be
amended by a vote Of two-thi'ds of all the
drlegst' present at any meeting: Pr"rfded,
previous notice Of the change be published
two W. eks beforehand to the Aid Societies
and other organizations comp Using the Com
mission.
ART. X. The President, Corresponding
Secretary and Treasurer have power at any
time to call meetings Of this organization.
A motion to adopt the above as whole
was rushed through by the President and
ad pied amid some stormy opposition by the
minority, who ccntended for the right of
discussion. The vote was recons dcred, ana
the articles of the Constitution were adopted
seriatina, with some trifling amendments.
Adjourned till O'clock
At the opening of the afternoon session,
Rev. Z. j. Kynette, agent of the Iowa SAM
tary Commission" who had been referred to
on the floor as opposed to the organization
contemplae ed by this Convention, asked per-
mission to make an explanation. After some
debate it was granted. He said it was
impracticable to distribute sanitary stores in
the field to Iowa soldiers only, and therefore
the Commission which he represented had
turned their donations over to the Chicago
Commission, which distributed to all West
ern soldiers. He denied being opposed to
the object of the Convention, but regretted
that the two State organizations could not
unite their efforts.
Mrs. Wittenmyer, in reply, stated that she
had reason to feel offended at Mr.. f., for his
conduct towards her as State agent, but freely
forgave him. She claimed to have higher
authority than he, inasmuch as she was
appointed by authority Of the Legislature and
he by the Governor; and her appointment
was subsequent to his. Her remarks carried
conviction to her hearers, as was clearly
shown by their applause.
The committee to nominate officers for the
State Sanitary Commission having reported,
an election took place with the following re-
suit:
For President, Mrs. Wittenmyer of Keo-
kuk. Mrs. DR.. Ely, of Cedar Rapids, and Mrs.
Horton, of Muscatine, were put in nominal
tin. Mrs. Horton declined. The vote stood
2l4 for Mrs. Wittenmyer, % for Mrs. Ely and
3 scattering.
The balance Of the officers were elected by:
reclamation. The entire list stands as follows
PRESIDENT,
Mrs. Anna E. Wittenmyer, Of Keokuk.
VICE PRESIDENTS,
Mrs. Shields, of Vinton.
Wright, Keosauqua,
Stevens, Marion,
Howell, Keokuk,
Crandall, Washington,
Andrews, Indianapolis,