The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-23

Messrs. Sam Hugh B%rockunier and
Randolph ~stalnaker, the West Virginia
delegates to the late Cincinnati con-
vention of the Society of the Sons of the
Revolution and the Society Of Sons of
the American Reyolutiop-two organi-
cations with similar a~ims-have made
their report to the West Virginia or
ganization of the former society, as fol-
lows:
To the Board OF Managers Of West Vlr-
ginia Society OF the Sons OF the Reyo-
luton:
sIRs:-The West Virginia delegates
reached Cincinnati on the morning OF the
18th OF October, and were informed that
the friends of union would have their
caucus at the st, Nicholas hotel, Our dele
gates entered the caucus for union Just
preceding its adjournment, with the un;
Outstanding that they would not be bound
by any action Of the body which they
could not approve.
Before proceeding to an account of tho
convention proceedings we desire 10 say
that every action OF the friends OF union
were eminently fair and open, while those
opposed 10 union adopted political ma
noeuvres, brought up technical questions
and exhausted all the legal aspects OF the
situation.
The first test came upon the admission
OF tho delegates from the new Society of
Indiana. They stated hat they were OPP
posed TO union because sixteen members
OF the Sons Of the American Revolution
In their state We're admitted to be OF col
lateral and not lineal descent. Naturally
the friends OF union opposed the admis-
sion of Indiana until after the question OF
union had been settled. Fifteen were in
favor of her admission and fourteen were
against, and therefore the delegates were
admitted,
The conference committee submitted a
report and basis of union In which the col
laterals Mt present In both societies was
to be retained, but no subsequent coliat-
erals were to be admitted. The member
OF the committee from Massachusetts sub
mitted a minority report. which did not
differ essentially from the majority re-
port.
The opponents OF union raised the point
that the present general constitution has
no provision for amendment, and Is in fact
q partnership agreement, and therefore
requires unanimous consent OF the parties
to the contract, viz: the state societies,
before 1t can be changed. The friends OF
union said they came instructed by their
respective societies to make such change;
those opposed to union said they had no
instructions, and the delegates from New
York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mary
land, Virginia, Georgia and Tennessee
plainly intimated that they would never
enter any union. upon any terms; SAID
InGY TNIEtStilltu flNVu VI llo OlsVV AAib
in our general society.
Mr.. Lewis, OF New York, moved that
the whole matter be referred back to the
state societies for action, claiming that
the delegates had no jurisdiction in the
matter. This action was defeated by one
vote, Indiana, much to every ones sur
prise, voting with the unionists: tho dele
gates from that society stated that the
conference committee had agreed to IN.
sert an amendment providing for a Joint
committee to examine the papers OF all
members of the s. of II, and the S. of A. r.,
said committee to reject, papers or AZ
members not llneal descendants, and with
tina change the plan OF union was per-
fectly acceptable 10 ndlan
The Lewis resolution was lost: fifteen
ayes and sixteen noes.
The report was then taken up and
amended SO as to provide for an m
tion OF all papers by a Joint committee.
Another amendment was adopted requlr-
ing the new constitution to be voted upon
by each state society. a majority OF the
states so voting to decide the question.
The report as n whole was finally adopted,
the delegates from New York. Pennsylva-
mia, New Jersey. Georgia, Massachusetts,,
Maryland. California, Tennessee and Viz
ginia dissenting, and their delegates stat
ing thai their societies declined to be
bound by any action of the convention.
During the proceedings two committees
from the Sons Of the American Reyolu-
tion, composed OF distinguished members,
V1NlI0Q OuT tOlNfllllOllf va AAh WI AAAAA
greetings. They said that their society
had adopted the plan OF union unanimous
". and were eager to consolidate uhuer
any conditions. They further expressed
the wish that we should go forth from
the convention In one grand united body.
shoulder to shoulder, as otr ancestors mad
gone when called by their country.
Your delegates think that II every state
goes into the union 1t would be q grand
good thing, but II some, or any. OF the
states remain out the object of union Will
not be accomplished; It will merely result
in a portion OF our society. being swal-
lowed up by the Sons OF the American
Revolutions 10000 members.
The delegates from the east and south
claim that they do not want union, and
will not accept 1t under any circum-
stances; that they are free and sovereign
states and do not feel compelled to accept
any action Of a majority Of the states II
such action does not agree with their
ideas. While we must deplore such senti-
ments IN n body like ours, because 1t In
fact throws tho power OF action to tho
minority OF states. although not Of Nom
beers, we do not consider II wise to enter
u union which would not include. our
strong n conservative societies or the
cast and south. Therefore your delegates
are OF the opinion that union should be
deferred until a more propltious time.
Respectfully yours.
s. H. BROCRUNTER,
RANDOLPH STALNAKER.
II will be noticed hat the delegates
from West Virginia recommend ANAL
gamation be voted down for the
that several Of the large eastern and
southern state societies Of the Sons Of
the Revolution decline to amalgamate.
This is generally regretted, as the IA
1orlty OF the state societies are in favor
OF the proposed consolidation. Appar-
emily there il nothing for the West
virginia society to do but vote against
amalgamatlon. To vote for H%malgama-
ton means to leave the g.. OF Il, and
Join the $. OF a. r., n step that ls not
desired.