Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-15
THEIR SOLEMN DUTY
Mrs. Ellen A. Richardson Addresses
Fer American Sisters.
The WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Interesting Proceedings Of the Me-
moral Committee of Ladies.
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

The banquet hall of the Hotel Raleigh
was occupied today with an assemblage of
unusual attractions, composed as it was of
prominent American women who are en-
gagged in the applaudable work of carrying
out the desires of the immortal Washing
ton in relation to the establishment in the
city he founded and which is named in his
honor Of a free university, open to the
youth of America and devoted to instruc-
ton in the highest form. The meeting was
that Of the George Washington memorial
committee, and a glance at the gathering
was sufficient to show it's representative
character. The sibilant softness of south
ern voices blended with the broader accents
of the northern and the characteristics of
the east and west were none the less evil
dent and prominent The ladies in attend
ance numbered about 100, and all were
deeply interested in the proceedings Mrs
Ellen A. Richardson of Boston. the presi-
dent of the association. occupied the chair.
and Mrs. Susanna Phelps Gage of Ithaca
was secretary.
Committees were announced at the open
ing follows:
Resolutions-Dr. Swan M. Burnett, Mrs.
L. d. NJ. Sweat, Mrs. Clara r. Antony,
Mrs. s. p. Gage, Miss Rachel Rowland.
Credentials-Mrs. Ellen H. Walworth,
Mrs. William Reed, Miss E. T. King, Mrs
SiOussa.
Plans-Mrs. Henry Mallory, Miss Rachel
Rowland Mass. Colonel H. H. Adams.
Mrs. H. H. Adams, Mrs Henry Lyons,
Mrs. j. H. Goodloe, Miss E. T. King, Mrs.
w. j: Palmer. Mrs. Roebling, Mrs. Cham
berlain and Mrs. Salisbury
Laws-Mrs. ]. s. Boyd. Mrs. H. H.
Adams, Mrs. L. D. NJ Sweat, Colonel II.
II. Adams, Mrs. Caroline Stevenson, Mrs.
E. H. Walworth and Miss Garrett.
Certifcates-Miss Charlotte F. barley,
Mrs. Henry Mallory. Mrs. Clara Antony,
Mrs. Charles NJ. Ffoulke Mrs Charles J.
Bell. Mrs. w. A. Roebling.
Nominations-Mrs. Calvin s. Brice, Mrs.
cambridge Castleman, Mrs. NJ. F. Carter,
Mrs. J. s. Boyd and Mrs. Edward Anthony
Moss.
Officers Elected.
Mrs. Richardson then announced that
the first business to be transacted was
the election of officers. The nominations
having been reported the election was
proceeded with under agreement that the
secretary should cast the unanimous vote
of the meeting for each officer.
The result was as follows: Mrs Ellen A.
Richardson, president Mrs. Henry r. Nal
lory of New York. first vice president;
Miss e. P. King. Maryland, second vice
president; Mrs. Cornelius Stevenson, Penn
sylvania, third vice president; Mrs. Nelson
A. Miles, District of Columbia, fourth vice
president; Mrs. A. NJ. Day of Illinois, fifth
vice president; Mrs. Herbert A. Claiborne
of Virginia, sixth vice president; Mrs.
Frank Munroe of Louisiana, seventh vice
president; trustees, Mrs. John X. Goodloe,
Kentucky; Mrs. Ellen H. Walworth, New
York: Mrs. Susanna Phelps Gage, New
York; Mrs. David Starr Jordan, California;
Mrs. O. V. Coffin, Connecticut, and the Off
GERS of the association; corresponding sec
retaries. Mrs. Clara P. Bigelow, Boston,
and Mrs. Cuthbert Pound. New York; re-
cording secretary, Mrs. Susanna Phelps
Naw York Mr. Charles I
Bell, Washington d. c.: auditors. Mrs.
Charles NJ. Ffoulke and Mrs. Charles J.
Bell. Washington. d. c.; press representa-
tive. Gen. George H. Harries. Washington,
D. c.
During the election Mrs. Henry Lyons of
Virginia, whose suggestions during the
meeting did very great deal toward SIM
plifying the proceedings and saving time
moved that the number Of vice presidents
be increased from five to seven, In order
that Virginia should be represented. With
great charm of manner she described Vir-
ginia's claims to such distinction, and her
motion was unanimously agreed to with
applause. Mrs. Claiborne, who was chosen
as Virginia's representative, Is the wife OF
one of the nearest relatives of washington
When the name of Gen. Harries was an
nounced as nominee for press representa-
tive Mrs. Richardson congratulated the
committee on its good fortune in securing
him, and paid high compliment to his ca
pabilitieS.
Mrs. Richardson's Address.
At the conclusion of the election Mrs
Richardson delivered an address upon the
aims and duties of the committee. which
was listened to with close interest and lib
orally applauded.
After giving a hearty welcome to all, Mrs
Richardson said they were all brought to.
gether by a common tie tnat DlndS-tnat OIL
being American citizens.
"Chairmen, Assistants, Delegates, Asso-
ciate Members and Friends: A hearty well
come to you all. We are brought together
by a common tie tnaI DlIluS, tnttt VI DeliS
American citizens.
I'm turning our thoughts for the three
DAYS that we are to be here together, she
continued, from the many interests that
have proved the mettle and the zeal OF each
individually, let us put our combined ener-
gy into single aim, and in so doing seek
10 unity our hearts in thought and purpose.
What is this purpose which has brought
us together? 1t is to honor the sacred wish
Of the father of his country, as empha-
sized in one of his last acts. not only In be-
aueath;ng sum of money for the carrying
cut of definite ideal, but for the thought
back of the beQuest the thought back of
the university, back of the loyal purpose
of the man who gave unselfishly of the best
years of his life, on the battlefield and In
the executive chair at the most critical
time in the life Of our republic.
1--WE all understand, think. that we are
working for the powerful germ or thought
back of the educational thought, that
thought which was so dear to the loyal
heart Of Washington that he never waver-
ed in his purpose to have the ideal en-
bodied; so pathetcally in earnest was he
that we find him almost pleading for the
right to freely express himself, when con-
stituents, and CONSTITUTIONAL mechanics az
1 may speak of politico-socio-econ
conditions in the starting of our republic)
strangled back his plea in order that those
other. at the time. equally important con-
siderations should have paramount atten-
ton.
Washin9tOn's Wish.
"Still, over all brooded that ideal Of a
central university, which should feed our
whole system of education, providing for
state universities, colleges, normal and
high and grammar and primary schools,
the essence Of American patriotism. In
other words. Washington desired that the
Constitution Of the United States should be
protected through and by educa ton, through
enlightenment on the principles back of
that Constitution. He desired not only that
the three RS should be taught, but that
skill in all things should be acquired, in
this way only he knew that material pros
perity would be assured-and along this
l-~A- III.