Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-22
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS
Department of Potomac Elected New 0&
GERS Last Night.
A Lively Struggle Marks the Proceed
ings-ClOse Votes on Several Sub
jects - National Officers.

men, who were delegates to the sixth an
nual convention of the Department of the
Potomac, Women's Relief Corps The chair
of the department president, Mrs. Indiana
Cowling, was placed under a regular bower
of flags. Great, big garrison flags were
draped in graceful festoons on the wall
and over the pictures, hundred or more
Of which nearly covered the walls.
On the platform about the president were
grouped the senior vice president of the
department, Mrs. Dykes: junior vice presi-
dent, Miss Alice Burgess; secretary, Miss
Willie NJ. Cowling; assistant secretary, Mrs
Julia Mason Layton (colore0; treasurer,
Mrs. Pauline B. Floyd; department coun-
sellor. Mrs. Maria Hare; chairman of ex-
ecutive board, Mrs. Anna NJ. johnson, and
members of the executive board.
Just as the convention was called to or
der, at o'clock, the national president.
Mrs. Emma Wallace of Chicago, was an
nounced and came in on the arm of Mrs.
Susie McCabe, past department president,
and accompanied by Mrs. Ida V. Hen
bricks, on whose arm was Miss Bross of
Chicago, national secretary. They were in
troduced to the convention by the depart
ment president and were saluted. They
were seated on the platform, and were
thereafter interested onlookers. They were
followed by Mrs. Margaret r. Wickins.
Mrs. Mink, Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Robbins and
Mrs. Sherwood. all past national officers.
1t was decided to employ an official
stenographer during the session.
Presidents Address.
The president then yielded up the gavel
to the vice president, who presided during
the reading of the report of the depart
ment president. Mrs. Cowling regretted
that no corps had been added to the de-
partment roster during her incumbency of
the office, but was pleased to state that
she would turn the department over at the
end of her term of office in even better
shape than she received it, She thanked
her staff and the corps for their faithful
assistance and paid them pretty tribute
The report shows less than 500 members in
good standing. This was referred to a
committee, as were all reports of officers.
Mrs. North at this juncture moved that
as the national president was present and
would possibly like to witness the election
of officers the convention suspend the read
ing of the reports at $50 and proceed to
the election of officers. The motion seemed
to take the convention by surprise, as it
was not expected. Mrs. North appealed to
the national president to know if such a
thing could be done. The department pres
ident turned TO Mrs. Wallace. who said
that while she was not there as counsellor
she was willing to state that it was in the
power of the convention to do about as it
pleased
Mrs Ida V. Hendricks objected to so
summary a proceeding, but the motion
was made and Mrs. North insisted on hay
ing it put, the president had no recourse
but to put it, which she proceeded to do.
When the ayes had teen taken somebody
suggested that the roll of delegates had
not yet been called and they did not know
who their regularly credited delegates were,
or who had a right to the floor, SO the vote
was called off and the secretary ordered to
call the roll
Electing Cfficcrs.
When the question of representation had
been settled after considerable confusion
Mrs. North again pressed her motion to
elect officers at $50. The vote was taken
standing. Mrs. North carried her point, A
to 33, and on that vote the convention d.
vided through the evening.
When the time for nominating candidates
came Mrs. Susie McCabe was recognized
first and in glowing terms placed in nomna-
ton for department president Mrs. Anna
W. Johnson of Lincoln Corps, present
chairman of the executive board. Mrs.
Alice Burgess of Burnside Corps, in beauti-
full and fitting terms, placed Mrs. Anna
Hamilton in nomination. her name being
enthusia stically appiauded. Then there
was a pause for breath. Those who knew
the smouldering fires that burned beneath
were fairly breathless over the possible
outcome. There was no wirepulling, how
ever. The ladies kept their seats and voted.
Each delegate deposited her ballot with
what would have been dull thud' II 1t
had been lead instead of paper.
Mrs. Hamilton was elected by vote of
- to 80, just enough and none to spare!
No one could doubt from the applause that
Mrs. Hamilton was earnestly supported by
the majority of the convention. She ac-
cepted the honor in a brief, earnest speech.
For vice president Mrs. Elizabeth c.
Months was elected by reclamation. Mrs.
E. Roberts of Lincoln Corps was elected
junior vice president and Mrs. Fuller or
Farragut Corps treasurer.
National Officers.
Business was then suspended for the
Of IN ha officers
who were present. 1t is not often that
department convention, w. r. c., is as
highly honored was the Departments
of the Potomac, both G. A. r. and w. X.
c., last night. At the G. A. r. convention
the national commander and staff were
the honored guests. At the w. r. c. con-
vention there were Mrs. Emma D. Wal
lace national president, and her secretary,
Sarah c. Mink of New York, Mrs Mar
garet Ray Wilkins of Kansas and Mrs
Kate B. Sherwood of OHIO, all past ma
tional presidents; Mrs. Harriet Reed of
Louise Barnum Robbins Of Michigan. A
splendid patriotic body Of women who
came to assist in the flag program of the
Woman's National Council today, and who
at the invitation of Mrs. Indiana Cowling,
department president, attended in a body
the convention, over which she so grace
fully presided.
Mrs Wallace addressed the convention
first, and charmed all present by her calm
sweet words of pleading Cancellation, and
the hope that all differences would soon be
healed, and peace come back to the de-
partment. ''She knew not what to say"
she declared, but wanted to say some
thing to bring strength, courage and har-
mony to the department" She was follow
ed by Mrs. Mink, who spoke in the same
conciliatory manner.
Mrs Cheshire asked the national presi-
dent to give the Department of the Poto-
mac some ideas on how to manage affairs
economically. This precipitated a lengthy
discussion Mrs. Hamilton made a state
ment of affairs In Potomac Department.
Mrs. Hendricks replied to Mrs. Hamilton's
remarks in an energetic and heated man.
ner She said the books were open for all
to see. Mrs Layton also took up the
cudgel. Mrs. Margaret Ray Wickins, Mrs
Reed and Mrs. Mink made statements of
their state departments expenses.
The convention adjourned to Monday
officers held a reception on the platform
the delegates being presented by Mrs. Cow
ling, Mrs. Hendricks and Mrs. McCabe
Columbian University Debnters.
H. c. Evans of Iowa, c. A. Brown of
Ohio and w. P. Nixon Of Mississippi have
been chosen by the Debating Society Of
Columbian University as representatives
in the third debate with Georgetown Col
lege.