The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-01-25
PRESIDENTS REPORT.

AuuuaI REPORT Oh HT9s William NJ. Pare-
ley, President of Cape Fear Chapter,
daughters of the CoDfcderacy, Present.
ed at the Meeting Held Wednesday At
ternoon-An Interesting Paper
The Messenger yesterday published a
full detailed account of the proceedings
of the annual meeting of Cape Fear
Chapter, Daughters of the ~Confederacy,
held Wednesday afternoon, but lack Of
space necessitated the reserving of the
report Of the president, Mrs. William
NJ. Parsley, for publication in today's
issue.
The report is an interesting one. It
covers a period of twelve months, and
touches upon all matters of importance
that We're either discussed or transact
ed by the chapter during that time.
Besides it furnishes much information
worth noting.
THE REPORT.
Ladies of the Cape Fear Chapter,
Daughters of the ~Confederacy:
Since my report a year ago, our in
crease in membership averages one
zach month. This increases our per
capita tax, which is also doubled by the
organization of the North Carolina Di-
vision, Daughters of the C~onfederacy,
but at the anne time, the formation Of
the division relieves our chapter of ex-
penses and responsibility falling upon
US as Charter Chapter"
We have held two conventions in
Wilmington during the year. The first
on April 23th, called for the ~OrganiZa-
ton Of the state division, and the
second on the 18th of October, being the
first regular meeting of the state divi-
sior, held here by invitation of the
Cape Fear chapter. We also sent two
delegates to the general convention in
the city of Baltimore in November.
Reports of all these conventions were
made at the time.
The Ladies Oakdale Memorial Asso-
citation having disbanded in March, We
have undertaken the duties so long and
faithfully performed by that society,
now merged into, and forming a part
of the Cape Fear chapter daughters or
the confederacy.
AT the regular meeting in May of
last year, which closed the series until
October there was "a proposition to
change the monthly meetings, so that
they would have more of a social char
acter, allowing the business to be done
by the g~overnoring board, n only
brought before the general association
when necessary. The plan was looked
upon favorab1y and it was decided to
take UP the question at the first meet
ing in October, and formulate a plan
for conducting these social gatherings.
I regret to say that owing to the very
small attendance at the regular meet
ings, but little business has been trans
acted, and the question of social meet
ings has not even been brought for
ward.
This want of interest is vey unfor-
tunate-it has a disheartening effect on
those who have the interests of the as
ISOLATION at heart and a depressing eff
feet on the chapter as am organization,
,hampering it in every way. I would
suggests that steps be taken for a rig
orous enforcement of the bylaw once
passed, filming members for ~non-attend-
ance at regular meetings. Had this
been done since October, it would per-
haps have reused the daughters to a
sense Of their responsibility and duty to
the association of which each member
is a part, and which 1T should be their
pride to make a thriving. working or
ganization-and failing this, would at
least have been a source Of revenue to
the chapter.
AT this meeting, an appropriation, as
liberal as the state Of the treasury will
allow. should be made, for carrying out
the plan Of collecting confederate relics
into a museum, for preservation. This
has been delayed, chiefly for want Of
funds, but it is better to make a small
beginning, than to delay any longer, as
& year will add to the difficulty OF
the undertaking. We nave already had
a gift from General DeRosset of some
valuable MAPS, and from Mrs. w. G.
Thomas, through the memorial associa-
ton of a collection of photographs of
confederate officers, about forty in
number, and four larger confederate
| pictures nicely framed, two of them
being portraits of Lee and Jackson.
Other contributions have been promis-
ed so 500 as we are able to receive and
take care of them. The Light Infantry
has most kindly given us the use of a
room in the army, and of a plate glass
case belonging to them and also the
encouragement Of their hearty approx
al and a courteous offer of assistance
when desired. 50 it only remains for
us to begin the work.
Notice was given in November that
our Cape Fear constitution would be
revised, and some amendments offered
at this meeting. The amendments will
be considered today. but the general re-
vision being clerical changes, to bring
it into complete harmony with the
constitution of the United Daughters
OF the ~Confederacy would be best
placed in the hands of a committee ap-
pointed for the purpose 1t would be
Wen also to empower this committee or
appoint another to draw UP a set Of
bylaws for the year.
In the elections today I'would urge
upon you the advantage of a rotation
\of officers, with h exception of re-
Eordmg secretary, a change of officers
yNearly will be an advantage. The or
eeaN nization of h Cape; Fear chapter is
NOW Incomplete n it is to be presumed
Yha4\Any member will be proud of
electiNn to office and willing to do her
best To- the chapter in discharging the
duties that office.
I beg 3 al you will hold up the hands
of my sue eess0r by the same good will