Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-21
wOMAN's RELIEF CONVENTION.
The Ladies' Assemble In the First Baptist
Church.

The National woman's Relief Corps met this
morning in the First Baptist Church. on 10th
street near o, at 10 o'clock. The most Of the
delegates TO tina: body expected a display Of
generalship. and were not disappointed. Il
was raining dismally and drea-ilv The lsth
street cable had ''crick" in its Joints some
where and refused to move so most
everybody walked. Consequently every
body was damp and draggled and dis
posed 10 kick anyhow. When the vestibule
OF the church was reached and guard met
them at the door with a stereotyped stand and
deliver sort OF an expression upon her face and
demanded the password something was num-
bled In return which was the password up 10 a
few days ago. but the guard with heroic de-
termination, announced that the talismanic
word had been changed and that particular
word was no good. II wouldn't even ndmit the
wearer of W. r. c. badge to the vestibule of
! the church ont of the rain.
In desperation half the women came tramp-
ing back to the city, the other half got in by
hook or crook. but on the wav to the gallery
and the body of the church were other guards
Once past these the way would seem clear hut
II was not. The galleries only held about one
fifth of the women who wanted to get in SO
hundreds were forced to leave after thew had
run the gauntlet of rain. slush and seutries
The church is very handsomely decorated with
roses and palms. fags. banners and bunting
and looked rather surprised at itself amid its
gay trappings.
The president. Mrs. Susan p. Saunders Of
Illinois, called the convention % order and the
national ode was sung PRAYER WAS offered by
Mrs. DIR. Davenport OF this city in lieu OF the
national cha plain, Miss Clara Barton, who being
a member OF the Potomac Corps of this CITY
which has been under ban of displeasure of the ma
tional department, was refused the password
hence could not legally enter the convention.
tn
the department president asked that all pas;
national officers be brought forward and intro
duced to the convention. They were all con-
Quoted before her except Mrs. Elizabeth Turner
of Boston. Mrs. Turner's conductor made a
number of attempts to attract the presi-
dents attention without avail. The
Indies were presented to the con-
vention and Irs. Turner took her seat There
was decided buzz Of disapproval over the
seeming slight. and someone informed the
national president of the feeling. Mrs. Saun-
ders immediately had Mrs. Turner conducted
TO her side aud presented her to the convention
in the midst of great applause.
Mr.. EDISON ADMITTED
At this juncture Mrs. Kate b. Sherwood. past
national president. announced that Mr. Edison,
chairman of the citizens committee of Wash
| ington. desired TO come before the convention
| and present the freedom of the city TO the dele
gates OF the W. Il. C., and tender the services
OF the committee for any assistance they might
desire.
Mrs. Saunders announced that ii had been de-
| cided not to permit interruptions of any kind
| at the morning session. Mrs. sherwood under
| took to explain. bu; raped down. She
made her voice heard AMID the applause. how
ever, and forced hearing which carried the
convention with her.
Mrs. Saunders refused 70 put the question 10
the convention unless Mrs. Sherwood entered
an appeal from her decision This Mrs Sher-
wood declined to do. she thought il unuecas-
sary. All she asked was the sense OF the con-
vention. After little sSarriny of words Mrs.
Sherwood announced that she had been in
formed that Mrs. Logan waiting with Com
rade Edison to be permitted TO enter the con-
vention.
Mrs. saunders stuck to her decision of not
| permitting ANYBODY to upset her plans. This
brought Mrs. Florence L. Barker to her feet
| and she made a splendid appeal 20 the con-
vention to remember it's manners and
act with some kind of courtesy toward
/ the chairman of the people who were enter
tanning them and the wife of a general
! so dearly loved by everybody. Mrs. Sherwood
had captured the convention with her gentle
| appeal, and Mr.. Barker completed the conquest
and took her seat, while round after round of
applause greeted her efforts. Mrs Saunders
finally put the question to the convention. She
called for four votes before she decided
that the overwhelming majority was
two distinguished people. The convention
evidently appealed from the decision of its
president, and in the midst of much enthusi-
asm determined to admit the visitors Mrs
Logan had not arrived. expected. but
COmrade Edison was escorted TO the platform
by Mrs. Kate b. Sherwood and Mrs. Florence E.
Barker. He made pleasant speech which was
most kindly received, and then retired amid
applause.
LIVELY TIMES AHEAD
The national president then announced that
As Ler plans had been upset BY the action of
the convention she would have TO begin over
again. Many perplexing questions will be pre-
sented TO the convention, and all signs point 10
big rupture. Lincoln Corps Of Washington is
determined to have the convention decide for
or against II this session or know the
reason why The national president
had announced her determination TO
disband the corps and the national council will
uphold her, but the feeling in the convention
runs high, and Lincoln Corps has many stanch
friends in that body who, while they deprecate
much the rowing that has been going on, feel
that the president has been badly advised, and
ought in justice to all concerned relent little
of her severity.
The question of the national presidency is
likely to cut some figure in the matter of
settling these disputes. Many are disposed TO
think that IL the national president could be
chosen from state outside Of the circle of
states which have taken such decided sides In
this matter oil would be poured upon the
troubled waters. IL Mrs. Logan should decide
to accept the election would be made by ac-
clamation. Ii she declines there are several
candidates in the field.
The most prominently mentioned are Mrs
Putnam Of New York and Mrs wicken, of
Kansas. Mrs. Putnam is an able woman and
would be a credit and honor to the office and
as New York has never had the Office it feels en-
Titled to II. The east Mas been larpeiy hon.
ored however, that the west is now clamoring
for recognition. and Kansas presents Mrs.
wickens, now national senior vice president.
Mrs. Wickens is q general. She has splendid
executive ability, and has a certain force of
character and power for manipulating people
which, In political parleance, is called smooth"
She is fascinating speaker, has a fine pres
ence and Kansas is here in force to work for
her.
Mrs. Loud Of Massachusetts, is also a candi-
date She Is an able woman but Massachusetts
has heretofore had most OF the honors of the
National W. r. c., and the ladies fell disposed to
let the bay state rest its well-earned laurels.
LADIES FROM TENNESSEE
The Department Of Tennessee is the baby Of
the Woman's Relief Corps family. It was just
born last week. having been provisional de-
partment up to that time. II is q very lusty
infant and comes to the national encampment
with . full complement Of officers, headed BY
Mrs. Blanca Muller Of Chattanooga as president;
Nettie E. Patterson Of Knoxville, Junior vice;
Mrs. J. NJ. s. Chase of Chattanooga, secretary;
Hattie & Steward of Chattanooga chanlain