Evening star., 1901-02-20
Circulation of Scandalous Report
Charged in D. A. R. Congress.
RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY TABLED
Report Of the President General
on Continental Hall.
NOTES AND COMMENT L S


ming president general Of the National So
ciety of the Daughters of the American
Revolution, fell thrice at 1910 this morn
ing and the third legislative day of the
tenth continental congress of the organiZa-
ton was begun. Two large clusters of vio-
let's were upon Mrs. Manning's desk, and
bouquet of red and white roses was upon
the right of the presiding officer
The first words of Mrs. Manning were:
State regents may come to the stage and
secure the tickets for their delegations to
the reception by the President at the White
House this afternoon" Half an hour was
consumed in the distribution of cards, and
al 1910 the doors were closed and the
chaplain general offered prayer.
A letter from Mr.. Cortelyou, secretary to
the President, was read, stating that the
number of persons to be admitted to the
White House this afternoon had been linn
tied to 1,5G0. and that the badges OF the
society could not be recognized, but that
only card hold RS would be received. The
congress, led by Mr.. Percy S. Foster, sang
America" and the minutes of the second
days session were read, corrected and ap-
proved.
Mrs. Ballinger of the Manor House Chap
ter of the District of Columbia announced
that the report of the death OF Mrs. Person
c. Cheney of New Hampshire was un-
founded. The delegates and alternates
arose to their feet mark of thankful
ness Mrs. Cheney, Gpe of the vice presi-
dents general. is i'll at her home, and re-
port of her death was circulated in the con-
greSs.
During the correction of the minutes con-
siderable confusion prevailed in the con-
gress, and delegate far back in the the
ater said: We cannot hear "a single word
you say. Madam President
To this Mrs. Manning replied: THAT is
not my fault. You can all hear me if you
will keep still. There is great deal OF
whispering going on in the house
Mrs. Florence E. Nesmith arose in the
center aisle and offered resolution as a
matter of privilege.
State the nature of the resolution" said
Mrs Manning.
1T relates to certain communication
that is being circulated in this congress" "
Mrs. Nesmith began to read a resolution "
condemnation, but her voice evidently not
being strong enough. it was read by the
official reader. 1t rected that scandaous
scurrilous and anonymous communication
had been circulated IN the congress affect
ing the name OF d certain person. The res0-
luton contained the words scandalous and
lbelous. and asked that thorough in
vestigation be made, and the "culprit aud
evil-doer hunted down.
The reading of this statement caused
sensa ton. Mrs. Perkins and Mrs. Bachel-
Ter moved that the resolution be tabled. The
motion was amended that the newspaper
reporters should omit all mention of the in
cident.
Pending the putting of this motion the
official stenographer-a wOman-took copy
of the resolution from the hands of a local
reporter, who had borrowed it from the
| official reader.
Il understand" said Mrs. Manning. tears
appearing IN her eyes, that 1t is your pres
| ident general who has been cruelty ma
ligned in this anonymous communication"
Text of the Resolution.
The resolution was tabled. 1t follows:
This body consists mainly of noble ana
high-minded women. 1t is of justice
and appeal, and such | now address it.
Whereas, a report has gained circula-
ton to the effect that one of this body has
sent out anonymous communications. Other
statements equally false and scurrilous are
being made in regard to this same member.
Every member of this organization should
be entitled to its protection. This is pecu-
! liarly so when that member has served the
| body from its earliest days until the pres
! ent time. and served ii with a loyalty and
devotion which should awaken in return
! its highest sense of justice and appreca-
| ton.
| are untrue and libelous. and are a dis
| grace to such an organization as ours and
! a blot upon it's honor and the dignity Of
every member.
| from attack? woman's purity of char
| acter is her proudest possession. Shall 1t
! be permitted by this body that the char
acter of any member shall be assailed by
| such vile and scandalous Statements
| The resolution recited That such
| methods of procedure receive the seal of
! disapproval Of this congress and that every
| effort shall be made to trace such reports
to their authors. that they and the retail
ers of such statements shall be made to
| feel the dspeasure of this high court of
| justice.
| Madam president, l demand the accept
| l~;, h.
manhood and in the name of the honor and
| integrity of this body"
| The resolution was signed by Florence
! Hildreth Nesmith.
Continental Hall.
Mrs Manning read her report chair
man Of the committee on the continental
| hall. 1t follows:
| During the past year from February
! TO- 1890. to February 10. 1901, there has
| been received toward the fund, SO, 1D.47
| When I was elected your president-gen
eral three years ago we had little over
100000, and today the continental! hall funC
| amounts to So, 2,S23.3S. Again. and for the
last time, l urge you to do your par
toward this memorial of the men who
counted sacrifice too great Tor accom-
plshing our independence.
| Let us put up a building to which al
people can point with pride. 1t should be
| one of the finest halls in the country, fol
| of America.
Again / stand before you to make an
other appeal. l had hoped that before my
| duties ended l could turn over the worl
with the foundation laid, and l firmly be
lieve that If each one of the $4,000 daugh
ters could fully realize the value and i'm
portance of continental hall, before another
| year the building could be started. If eaci
daughter would give only 50 we would have
the splendid sum of $4,000 and this with
out great tax on any one person, for fee
sure that each daughter could easil!
give 81.
Continental hall Is an absolute necessity
We are spending 81 500 this year for pac
In which to hold our annual meeting. Th
need Is most urgent and the building o
continental hall is a question that shoul'
take precedence of all others, and one 70
which, in order that it may be we'll con
sidered, everything else might well be lai'
aside.
Hope in the Future.
IT trust that at our next congress tn
chairman can report that the foundation
have been laid for this great work. w
cannot accomplish this object too soon, TO
1t will be a center around which our differ