The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-19
Mrs, Davis Thinks the Battle Ab-
hey" is Not a Probability.
TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETINGS,
The Regents May Have a Conference
Every Year About Memorial Day.
Entertainment by Mrs. j. Taylor
Acknowledgements To-day.


into business session. the meeting being
held I'm the White House OF the Conted-
eracy." and its beloved former mistress
Mrs. jefferson Davis. present. In the an
sence OF Mrs Joseph Bryan, Mrs. r. g
Minor. First Vice-Prcsident, occupied the
chair Upon Mrs. Davis entrance all
present arose and remained standing unth
she had taken her seat to the lett OF the
chair. a striking scene IL was to those
alive 10 its significance Mrs. Minor mace
the address of welcome. 1t being sing
ularly happy effort. and not the less so
for the fact that at one point, where an
aluslon TO the purity. valor and suffer-
ings Of the Southern army was made she
was overcome by genuine emotion, the
spontaneous tears filling her eyes.
In the outset she alluded 10 the fact
that the duty of welcome had been as
signed TO the President of the Society
who. said she. was never so happy as
i'm the extension Of hospitality" Her abb
sence and its cause-ilness-were TO De
deporcd. she proceeded I'VE are not
here said she, Ito prove how we remerh-
Der. although these thirty-thTee yearf
have but strengthened our recollection OF
the four that preceded them. Tae ques-
ton. however. arises 70 the thoughtful-
Why. then are We here? We are here to
preserve the truth 10 those that shall
come after us. II we were here for less
We could never nope TO succeed. We are
here 10 preserve the truth through the
mementos OF the patriotism. genius and
courage OF our dead-our glory
In conclusion she extended a cordial
welcome TO the visitors, whom, she saio'
the Society esteemed it an honor to well
come.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
The first business transacted consisted
I'm a discussion relative 20 annual confer
cnces. Mrs. Davis entering into it with
an evident interest that was most graft
fying 10 the Society. Your cause said
she. 'is my cause" Mrs Minor appealed
to each Of the Regents for an expression
of opinion I'm this connection, and they
were unanimous for annual meetings
here. Upon being put 10 the vote, IL was
decided TO have them and discussion as
20 the time OF meeting then ensued. Mrs.
Davis suggesting the month Of May and
some time near Memorial Day The gem
eral sentiment seemed I'm accord with her
suggestion. but 90 save time. IL was. on
motion Of Mrs Putney. decided 10 refer
the question Of the time for the confer
once to a committee composed OF the Vice
Regents, OF Which Mrs. J. Taylor Ellyson
was appointed the chairman.
Second IN order came the presentation
Of an interesting matter IN concise and
direct way by Mrs. Norman Y. RAN
dolph IL referred 20 the importance Of
having an endowment fund and suggest
ed a petition 10 the Legislatures OF the
various states for an appropriation OF
50 O0O the interest 90 be used for that
States room I'm the Museum. Mrs. Da-
Wis. in view Of the fact that such action
of the Legislature would be unconstltu-
tlOnal i'm some States suggested an appeal
20 the Southern women. and in this con-
nection spoke beautifully Of the existing
conditions Of poverty i'm some OF the
Southern States notably her own-Missis-
sippl-with which she Identified herself
by the constant use Of the first person plu-
raj. Gus" I'm our State. etceterae. She told
Of the annually recurring impOverishment
through the unreliable levees. etc; the
need for State funds for other purposes,
and the various difficulties which would
present themselves in case of petition
TO the legislative bodies
Mrs. Davis had her facts clearly mar
shaled and presented them with a SIM
pie clearness that was wonderfully tell
Ing
Numerous suggestions as 10 other
means were made Mrs. Margaret ;.
Smith speaking with telling force and
the citation OF figures 20 show that 5000
would only cover one set of expenses
connected with the Museum; that run
ming expenses incident 10 the care OF the
grounds could not be covered. She IA
vored the bazaar. in behalf Of which Mrs
Joseph Bryan presented a plea at a pre-
vious meeting OF the society.
on Mrs Putney'5 motion. the motion 20
memorialize the legislatures was with
drawn and IL was decided 10 refer the
question Of the bazaar 10 the next regular
meeting OF the society for settlement IN
this connection some interesting points
were developed regarding the character OF
the proposed Battle Abbey Of which Mrs
Davis said that she did not believe Il
would ever be established, giving excel
lent reasons therefor
REPORTS OF VICE REGENTS.
Next I'm order came the presentation or
reports BY the various vice regents. the
presentation by Mrs Anne Grant of an
epitome Of the work of the House Com
mttee for the year ending December
1897. This. among other interesting hg-
ures. showed that 6.O00 visitors 10 the
Museum during the year.
Mrs. NJ s. Smith next presented the
treasurer's report. with many witty and
laughable illusions.
After this business came an exceed
by Mrs. Davis as a means for adding
largely 10 the Museums treasury ana
IT'S interest She suggested that the space
for a readable distance upon the walls
OF each room I'm the Museum be devoted
10 tablets. which widows ana or
pbans OF Confederate soldiers should be
peruitted at a fixed rate TO place IN the
Museum as memorials 20 their dead. She
would. she said, be willing 10 place such
a tablet in the Mississippi room 10 her
husbands memory. and felt confident that
before very long the walls would be COW
cred With them. She had. she said. seen
a similar plan In most successful opera
ton I'm Europe.
In conclusion she presented 10 the Mu-
scum, as the gift OF Mrs. BrodnaN, OF
Mississippi, a piece OF the first flag raised
during the war in Montgomery Ala, ana
I'm this connection read beautiful letter
from Mrs BrodnaN, 10 whom the relic
was given by Mr. j. Forester Griffin, 81
the Washington Artillery, New Orleans.
ENTERTAINED THE REGENTS.
Last night Mrs. ]. Taylor Ellyson en-
tertalned in honor OF the visiting regents.
the affair given at her residence on west
Franklin street, being IN the nature OF
an elegant tea. Lilies. white roses, and
the green growth of palms and ferns
constituted the really exquisite floral de-
coration. Mrs Ellyson, who wore hand
some costume of black brOcaded silk and
black net with diamonds. being assisted
I'm receiving by Mrs. f. c. Minor Mrs.
John b. Lightfoot, Mrs. c. OBJ. Cowar-
~, ID Tap,u, Nal.