The Jersey City news., 1902-10-31
WAR DECLARED.
Mrs. Holland Raises a Storm
by Declaring Herself for
Miss McKeen.

The sensation of yesterday afternoons
session of the Federation of Woman's
Clubs was Mrs. Celia Gaines Hollands
speech urging the selection of Miss Mary
McKeen, Of Camden, for the presidency.
She spoke in response to a call from the
Chair
'The Orange Club" said she, (which
supports Mrs. A. o. Field, has already
had two federation presidents. Southern
Jersey should have its turn now. wish
to say that personally favor Miss Mary
Mckeen, Of Camden for the presidency .
This challenge was what the women
had feared might happen, and when it
came there was breathless moment of
suspense before the arrested routine of
the meeting went on. From the first
every one had known that the presiden-
tial election of today was the storm CEN
tre of the convention, and after Mrs.
Holland had declared her sentiments the
ground swell of excitement rose. The
two candidates We're surrounded by their
supporters; knots of women gathered
here and there discussing the situation,
party leaders hustled about doing mis-
sionary work. 1t was like political
campaign on miniature and ladylike
scale. When night closed in on Jersey
City. it found the federation drawn up
in two opposing camps, outwardly friend
ly and smiling, inwardly resolute on vic
tory.
Mrs. Field is said to be supported by
the three largest clubs in Che State. Miss
MeKeen is one Of the younger element
in the federation, and prominent in edl-
cational movements, as Mrs. Field is in
| philanthropies.
In the afternoon--as If Mrs. Hollands S
remarks had not caused furry enough
Miss Boylan, of the Orange Woman's
Club. of which Mrs. Hartshorne, the presi-
ident, and Mrs. Field, the candidate. are
both members, rose in her pew and in a
voice tremulous with suppressed emotion.
denied the rumor that the Orange Wo-
mans Club was divided in its support Of
Mrs. Field.
Il have been falsely accused of can
yassing for Miss AIeKeen,' said Miss
Boylan. ssWhile we all recognize Miss
McKeen's strong points, we favor Mrs.
Field"
Miss Boylan, / think, voiced the
thought of the Federation remarked
Mrs. Hartshorne, who. as a member of
the Orange Club, has made no secret Of
her preference for Mrs. Field. And a
buzz went round the assembled women.
i regret personal feeling should have
entered into this, said Mrs. Field
What we want is pure, clean admin
istration, that is ALL The office is worth
nothing-it is the spirit that counts. I
have done no electioneering, and think
such course is lowering to women"
Miss McKeen said THE women of
Southern Jersey are solid South, SO to
speak. We think that the minority
should be heard once in four or Ave
times, instead of letting the Northern
clubs always have their way. 1t is simply
sectional feeling that opposes us, but a
number Of the North Jersey clubs are
with us. There is absolutely nothing in
volved but matter of principle and the
persons involved are working in the best
of fellowship
This whole conflict has been precipi-:
tated for political reasons" was the
statement Of prominent clubwoman.
1T is a bit Of political jobbery. A GER
tain clique of women, egged on by
woman of prominence, has made all the
trouble. It is false that the Orange
Woman's Club is divided In its support
of Mrs Field. / know of only one wo-
man who is opposed to her, and she is a
member of no standing.
Charges Of electioneering are brought
by each faction. Supporters Of Miss Nc
Keen held an enthusiastic meeting after
and another this morning. It Isl
said that Miss Nick eell stood first on
the informal ballot from which the ticket
Is made.