Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-21
Value of Secret BALLOT.

But I should think you would consider
your nonor involved in changing your
pledged vote returned the astonished re-
gent.
"Oh. ] don't know responded the other,
indiferent1y. so long the ballot is Sc
cret. who Will ever know the difference?"
Possibly this Indifference to pledges ac-
counts for disuust of each other so palpa-
bly, displayed on all sides. The congress
spent its whole morning session trying to
hedge about the secrecy of the ballot box.
Every woman distrusted every other wo-
man, and from New York and Indiana.
Pennsylvania and Michigan, the District,
Massachusetts, Colorado and dozen other
states came motions, amendments, counter
motions and substitutes, each playing for
position and place for her candidate, TIL
the parliamentarian was wreck and the
president general worn to a froZZle. Mo-
tons were carried, got lost somewhere,
made over and voted down. When a mo-
ton was carried the congress Immediately
proceeded to vote for another that killed
il in effect. then calmly took up the former
motion, worked on 1t awhile with amend
ments and substitutes till finally the whole
thing got lost in the shuttle and never did
get voted on again The official stenogra-
piers notes would be an object lesson in
what not to do in d woman's congress II
they could be read to the convention.
The official readers cultured voice cannot
be heard half the time above the din, and
she has adopted a sort of 'I-am-thy-
father s-ghost'' tone of voice that is awe
inspiring. 1t can be heard, however
The congress applauds everything and
everybody without stint, keeping the body
in turmoil, through which some still.
small voice pipes up, Madam President,
We cannot hear word" and though she
does not say It, Madam Presidents face
looks. That is your funeral" This dis
position to applaud is one of the terrors of
the presiding officer who cannot keep order
under the circumstances.
The president general has labored hard to
keep the body in order and declared this
morning that her voice would not last
through the day under the strain. The con-
gress seems to have no consideration what
ever for its presiding officer.
Election Day
The fourth days session of the tenth
congress of the Daughters of the AmerI-
can Revolution was opened by Mrs Daniel
Manning, the president general, at 1920
o'clock this morning. 1t being election day
with the national society there was I'M
usual excitement among the delegates and
among the friends of the several candidates
for Office Clusters of La France roses and
lilies of the valley had been provided for
the stand of the presiding officer and mon
ster bulletin boards for the display of cleo
ton results had been erected on the right
of the stage.
Chaplain General Smoot offered prayer
and Mrs. KresS of Pennsylvania sang CO.
lumbia, the Gem Of the Ocean,. the con-
siesS JoIlius III tHe CHoIuS. ne Olnc!al
reader made announcement Of kilograms
for delegates and alternates, and the min
utes of the proceedings of yesterdays ses-
sion were rear. The reading of the min
utes occupied fifteen minutes. The number
of corrections was smaller than on the pre-
vious days. After the approval of the min
utes there was quite a wait for the par
Humanitarian. who was unusually late in
reaching his post by the side of the pre-
siding officer.
IF there is any one on the floor of the
congress-" said Mrs. Manning, who is not
entitled to a seat there she must leave
There must be no mistake about this
This statement caused slight ruffie of
confusion, but no one left the floor. The
reader made announcement of the election
OF state regents.
In some cases the announcement of the
election of regents was made from the