The San Francisco call., 1898-05-11
SHE SURPRISED
 ALL THE CLUB No One Expected That Mrs. Bunnell Would
 Resign. Many Incidents Contributed to Induce the Presidents
 Action. SavaraI Cand{dat~s for thA Vacant
Several Candidates for tho Vacant Chair of Oakland's Leading
 Club.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,
 Q02 Rr0adway May 10

Oakland Off1ce San Francisco Call,
 90S Broadway, May 10.
 The publication in The Call to-day of the resignation of Mrs. Bunnell, presi- dent of the Ebell Society; was a great surprise to the majority of the members. So quiet had the incident been kept that it was hardly known outside the board of directors.
 At the luncheon to-day at the Ebell Temple, Mrs. Bunneirs resignation was the leading topic of conversation. There has been a conflict of opinion in the club since Mrs. John Russ returned from the East some months ago and read a paper that reflected somewhat, by comparison, upon the club. Then came Mrs. Swift of San Francisco, and her remarks are still the subject of much discussion in the Ebell. Her reference to the lack Of 1n- terest shown by Oakland ladies in the Womans Congress, and her statement that if the Congress were not equal Tn point of merit to a Melba concert it was certainly as good as a pantomime or circus, are still ranking deep Tn the Ebells inner circle. At former congresses Oakland ladies have taken part, gnu gnu a year ago Miss Ray Frank and MISS Mollie ConnorS, two of Oakland most ln- teIlectual women, had places on the pro gramme. This year Miss Connors was on the programme, and it was known that her paper was prepared. But after Mrs Swift's remarks a change evidently came over her, for her place in the congress was filled by some one else.
 Mrs. Bernard Moses wife of the univer- sity professor, who was also present at the meeting addressed by Mrs swift at the Ebell. figures in the present incluetle t the white temple Three years ago Mrs. Moses was not pleased with something that transpired at the Ebell, and the occasion of Mrs Swifts visit was the hrSt tune since the unpleasantness that Mrs Moses had attended. No one will ever know just how much Mrs: Moses was effected by the remarks of Mrs. Swift, but at the meeting Mrs. President Bunnell announced that the ladies who were down on the programme at the Ebell for the following Saturday would not read their papers ana that there would be change Of the pro- gramme. s one of the papers and so Tar no T one aI1o%s oat ters have been very freely dlscussed among the ladies, and there are iew ne who in some unaccoun!aple HlaIliiei nam, Srs Hre Bunnell the responsibility for the remarks of Mrs Swift As the speaker was the guest of the Ebell, 1t has been IId Gecioeo eo unanimously that no action should De taken in the way of correcung the nm pressfon made which the Ebell members think unjustihable o. ciety. which is credited with being partly responsible for the sudden resignation or President Bunneli ana Mrs' fiilneys Was nI.aI ir nroninent members of the Ebell. AL though it has been laid down as rue many times by the Ebell that 1t would not as an organization take up any line of work that is not directly connected with it's curriculum, still on some occa- sions the knowledge that a movement re- ceives the moral support of the Eben has been of marked benefit. The Red cross Society was organized in the Ebell rem pIe and has drawn to itself considerable importance and popularity. Mrs. BunneH is supposed to have desired the election of Mrs. John Russ to the presidency or the Red Cross Society, but instead Mrs. Abbott was elected The majority of the members are positive in their assertions that Mrs. Bunnell is not actuated by any motives as this would seem to imply. But all agree that her resignation being rendered within a month of her election for the ninth time shows that she has of which all are not aware.
 Mrs. Bunnell's resignation we hope will be recalled said a prominent mem ladies declined to receive it when rendered last Friday, fully appreciating that the and faithfulness shown by Mrs. Bunne1l during the past ten years. Certainly no small motive has caused her to take such a step, and so far the board of directors has refused to even consider it. It will be more difficult for us to induce her to with draw. since the matter is made public, but she is necessary to the organization, and I do not think any one wishes to see her resign. The remarks of Mrs. Swift perhaps a trifie pointed, but there Is no doubt that our guest had in mind the progress of woman's work and wanted to See Oakland doing it's full share. Mrs. Swift undoubtedly gave us the benefit of her candid opinion. and she certainly is one of the most conscientious women workers in this State. I think it most probable that Mrs. Bunnell's resignation was rendered because she believes change would be desirable, and for no other reason
 The candidates for the vacant presi- dency are Mrs. Frank Pierce, Mrs. A. w. Bishop and Mrs. PrentiSS Selby.