The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-25
NOISY BAND OF WOMEN
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REV.
OLUTION LOSE THEIR TEMPERs.
Discussion of the Revised COnstitu-
tiOn Causes an UprOnr and a
Flow of Sharp Words.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-To-day's ses-
sion OF the sixth Continental Congress of
the National Society of the Daughters of
the american Revolution was opened with
the singing of America by Miss Virginia
Goodwin. of this city. 1t early developed
into a protracted fight over the publication
of the minutes of the national board. The
question waxed warm for almost two
hours. 1t was precipitated by resolution
offered by Mrs. II. V. Boynton, of Wash
ington, to publish the full proceedings of
the board in loose leaflets instead of in the
official magazine. Some one suggested that
there were many things said in the meet
ings which ought not 10 go out generally,
and that only the action taken should be
promulgated. Instantly a dozen delegates
sought the floor and the suggestion was ad-
vanced that there should be nothing done
or said which the board should be ashamed
of and that no irrelevant matters should
be considered before IL in any way. The
faction favorable to the magazine won for
the time being by finally deferring action
until Tuesday night.
The biggest fight of the convention-that
over the revision of the constitution-was
unexpectedly sprung on the congress this
afternoon. The question has led to the ar
raging of factions and preparation had been
made for a bitter struggle There are sew
document, which constitutes the report OF
the committee appointed to make the re-
vision. Notable among these are provisions
giving the congress the sole legisla tive
powers; holding the congress in Washing
ton biennially and in some other city on
Intervening years instead OF always at
Washington. and a limitation of the num-
Der of meetings of the board of national
officers to four times year instead of once
a month.
More heated discussions have never
marked the past meetings Of the body. The
proposed constitution was scathingly de-
nounced by several delegates, several mo-
fusion and questions put 10 the chair were
frequently answered by the audience in
concert Mrs Il. n II. Mclean, of New
York, chairman of the committee, at
tempted 10 explain the new document and
offered a resolution TO accept the report.
except such provisions as might be voted
down. She was interrupted with motion
TO reject ii in toto. and an uproar ensued.
The committee tried TO show that the con-
stitution had been revised and not revolu-
tiOniZed, but Chairman McLeanS eXplana-
ton that she favored several changes was
greeted with the largely applauded point
that the minority report was not In order.
Mrs. Walworth, of this city. severely crit
icised the work, ana moved to lay the
whole matter on the table. This would
was voted down. Numerous mild cortro-
versieS occurred and opponents of the
measure declared that the constitution pre-
posed was not a revision, but new one
and that the old one had been torn asunder
Finally harmony was secured by an agree
ment to take up the revised constitution
section by section for debate and action al
the night session.
There was "A very large attendance at the
night session. but the proceedings were
tame and spiritless compared with those in
the day After discussion as 70 the manner
of procedure the congress resolved itself
into a committee of the whole and began
the consideration of the revised constitution
section by section. The principal revisions
agreed TO were changing the name to the
National Society of the Daughters of the
American Revolution and providing that all
members OF the society who are daughters
OF revolutionary heroes may be honorary
members and shall be exempt from all fees
and dues incidental to active membership.
After completing three articles of the re-
until tomorrow.