Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-18
NUMBER OF MEMBERS CROWS
Increased Representation IL ShsWn in
D~auEhtsr' Of Is~vslutlsl Convention.
ELEVENTH cONsREts NOW IN SESSION
Mrs. Fairbanks, President General. In
Ter Annual Address Recommends
Several Plans for ImprOy-
ing the Work.

-
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE eleventh
continental congress OF the National 50.
ciety Of the Daughters OF the American
Revolution convened here today. About
500 delegates and others represent
ing chapters in states throughout the coun-
try we're present. The congress has be-
fore It many things Of Importance to the
welfare Of the society. These include the
erection Of a continental memorial hall
in this city, the adjustment Of internal
disputes among some Of the western chap
tiers, which have caused much trouble in
the past. needed amendments in the ex-
animation OF the order and projects for
securing pensions for needy Daughters"
whose fathers were actual fighters in the
colonial struggle with England. The con-
gress will last all of the week, with two
sessions a day.
The congress was called to order at 10
o'clock this morning, by the president gen
eral. Mrs. Charles w. Fairbanks, wife Of
the United States y senator from Indiana.
Mrs. William A.. Smoot Of Virginia, the
chaplain general, offered the opening
prayer, in which the entire congress stand
ing, Joined. Led by, Percy 8. Foster OF
this city, the ongress sang the star
spangled Banner"
President Urges Reverence for Law.
Mrs. Fairbanks then delivered her ad-
dress Of welcome. After expresslns her
qualification at the numbers Of those pres
emit and what they represented, Mrs. Fair
banks urged upon every daughter the cui-
~tivation in the highest degree Of reverence
to law, devotion to the flag and preserva-
tion OF interests in general Of the Organise
ton. She referred to the pending propo-
sition TO reduce the representation Of the
order, as the congress was becoming too
unwieldy. and said that whatever measure
was adopted along this line It would have
in view full and complete representa-
tion Of all the chapters in the country.
She showed that there were now approx
mately 500 chapters, thirty-four chapters
having been added during the past year,
increasing the membership by $500. This
makes the total membership over 10000.
The morning session closed with a re-
sponse by Mrs. John r. Swift Of California
to the address Of Mrs. Fairbanks. The
congress then took a recess until 2 o'clock
this afternoon. The afternoon program In
cluded roll call, reports of credentiAl and
program committees, consideration Of pro-
posed amendments and announcement OF
the committee on recommendations Of ma
tional officers.
Increase In Numbers.
when the congress reassembled this aft
ernoon, Mrs. Miranda B. Tulloch OF this
city, chairman of che committee on ere
dentials, presentedi her report. It showed
that OF delegates are entitled to vote.
This is ar increase Of hfty-seven over last
year. The, number. includes, besides the
forty-seven state regents, 500 chapter re-
gents and 24o delegates. The report recon-
mended that the roll of the convention
be called by chapters, to not only COM
memorate those sacred names, but en-
phasize the record OF historical places
The report was adopted and the roll wac
then called. Many OF the chapters are
named after revolutionary heroes. Io& 81
The roll call was interrupted by Presi-
dent General Fairbanks, who read the fol
lowing telegram, from Mrs. Marguerite Man
ming, honorary president general Of the
order: y
ALBANY, N. Y, Feb. T7.-Heartfelt greet.
ings to my daughters and yours. With
best wishes for a successful congress.
The roll call occupied considerably ovel
an hour. .
Debate L. Provoked. .
A lively debate was sprung by a resolu,
ton offered by Mrs, De Mott Of Illinois
providing that the chair appoint a con-
mittee Of ave member to investigate th'
facts in the controversy In Warren chap
ter, at Monmouth. Ill. Mrs. Lillard o
Bloomington, Ill. and Mrs. Wiles OF Chi
caRo led the debate. The resolution wal
adopted by a large majority.
Two amendments to the constitution
were adopted. The first tackled on sectioi
1 a provision that no one shall be eligible
to hold ONCE in the national society until
she has been a member thereof two years
An amendment to this was offered, sub
stituting one year for two, but 1t wal
vigorously fought. by Mrs. Donald MeLeaI
of New York and others, and was defeated
The second amendment adopted. which re
ferred to the same section, provided tina
no person shall hold once more than tw'
years successfully. Many of the delegate
participated in the bitter tight on this. an
president General Fairbanks was still II
doubt after a number Of viva voce votes
The. vote was then taken by %tellers, re