The times., 1899-02-23
JEWELED WOMEN OF
PATRIOTIC ANCESTRY
A Reception to Daughters of
the Revolution.
A Brilliant Night Scene in the Cor
coran Gallery Of Art.
The Movement for Continental
Hall in NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
to Be Rrised.

to he Rriscd.
The Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion gathered at the Corcoran Gallery OF
Art, corner of New York Avenue and Sew
enteenth Street last night for the official
reception of the Eighth Continental Con-
gress. The gathering was large and bril-
liant. The elegance of the costumes worn
by the ladies rivaled the illustrious paint
ings from the point OF view of art and
beauty.
The scene appealed most forcibly to the
delegates and visitors. The long halls of
white marble, the beautiful statues and
paintings representing years of toll. and
each telling its own story; the gathering
amid these scenes of the highest type of
womankind handsomely gowned, wearing
diamonds and pearls handed down from
ancestors who lived in the time of King
George.
The reception was attended by fully five
Gallery was decorated with many plants
and flags and the large stairway leading to
the second floor was a bank OF white and
pink blossoms. The officers of the organ
ization stood in line and received the dele
gates and guests. Mrs Daniel Manning,
President General, headed the line. She
was attired in pink satin covered with
point d d'Angleterre lace and carried hand
some bunch of orchid blossoms. Next in
line was Mrs. Brockett, gowned in pink
silk and holding white roses
Mrs. Jewett followed, attired in white
satin and Duchesse lace.
Mrs Fairbanks WAS Handsomely gOWnpl
in white satin covered with lace. Among
the late arrivals were General Miles and a
number of other army officers.
Three Business Sessions.
There were three sessions held during
the day. The morning session met shortly
after 10 o'clock and was devoted TO the
reading of the minutes OF yesterday s
meetings. The report of the committee
on recommendation of national officers was
read, and the report of the Continental
Hall committee was presented for the
consideration of the congress. There was
also discussion on the war work ac-
complished by the national society during
the past year. Another question consid-
cred was How can We continue to serve
the nation and best promote the interests
of the national society,"
A number of important resolutions were
adopted at the afternoon session, and near
ly $4,000 was subscribed by State chap
ters and private persons for the Cont
mental Hall fund.
The delegates were slow In arriving fol
the morning meeting. and there was barely
quorum present when Mrs. Daniel Man
ming, President General. called the session
10 order. shortly after 10 o'clock. The gal
leries were filed with eager visitors, most
ly women.
large silk American flag was drapet
about the Presidents table. in the centre
of the stage, in honor of Washington
Birthday Upon the table stood hand
some vase filled with American Beaut!
roses. Above the stage, between the hang
ing folds Of two American flags, was PLACED
a life-size portrait of General Washington
in colonial costume.
Mrs Charles Ayerette Stakety, Chaplain
General. offered prayer. The congress
sang America" led by Mr.. Percy s. FOs
ter The minutes of yesterdays meeting
were read by the official reader Mrs
Jeanette Jennings.
Continental Hall.
The report of the Continental Hall Com
mittee, of which Mrs. Shepard, OF Illinois
is chairman, was read by Mrs. Lindsay. O
Kentucky, a member of the committee
The report urged that part of the si3''
773. SO be set apart for the construction o.
Continental Hall.
After reading the report Mrs. Lindsay
asked permission 10 speak on the question
She called attention to the Importance OF
the Continental Hall movement and urged
that il receive the support OF the organiza
tion. An opportunity was then offered by
the presideIs 20 those who desired to con-
tribute to the fund. A flood OF contribu-
tions was the result, which required the
service of additional secretaries.
Mrs. Armstrong of the Clinton Chapter
Clinton, Iowa. announced gift of slOt
from her chapter. The representatives
from other States gave literally and
promptly. and when all had passed in theii
gifts it was found that nearly $4,000 had
been secured. To this the national organ
ization proposes to add sufficient to make
the amount $50, ,00G Connecticut and Penn
sylyauia broke the record by contributing
$500 each. and gift of $1,000 was present
ed by Mrs. Charles Wood. of Connecticut
in memory of her daughter. Even the
ladies in the galleries not connected Win
The association asked TO contribute.
The congress adopted a resolution by ;
rising vote expressing coincidence to Mrs
Shepard of Illinois, Chairman OF the
Continental Hall Committee, who wa
called back to Chicago on account OF TN
death of her mother II was ordered tina
a copy of the resolution be telegraphed t'
Mrs Shepard at once.
Tall. of IL site.
| Miss Miller. a member of the Continenta
Hall Committee from Washington, then re
ported with regard to the best suited loca
tion for the construction of the building
She said that the committee had recon
| mended a number of good locations. bu
the best place. in her opinion, was tn
| site now occupied by the old Corcoran Ar
| Gallery Building, corner of Seventeentl
Street and PENNSYLVANIA Avenue. This 10
/ cation she argued. was considered amoni
the best of the locations named in the re
port. She said that ii was understood tina
| Congress would assist by appropriating
sum OF money for this cause and tha
the business men of Washington woul
| contribute several thousand dollars towar
| the building fund
! Mrs. Ballinger was then recognized by tn
| Chair She said that too much conttdenc
could not be placed in the promise of IN
Washington business men; that she, wifi
of a Washington business man, coul
speak upon this question with authority
! Mrs Robert $. Hatcher Assistant Histo
! ran General, read an offer from the direc
| tors of the Grand Opera House property Il
which the ground and buildings were of
! fared to the association for $3.50, 0O0. paya
Bile in five years. The offer was discussed
! but no action was taken.
Mrs. Robert S-Fistcher. who has becom
a general favorite of the congress, came t
the front of the stage with a beaming fac
and announced thatsa number of histori
| relies had just arrived. The list include
an old rusty-looking candlestick brough
| from England in 1850. COlonia