The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-02-23

year, and will accomplish a great dea
of work Mrs. Belle Draper. of the Dis
trict of Columbia, opposed creating tbs
Office on the ground of economy.
Task u Hard One.
in the office. said that during the three
| years she was registrar general she
| brought in 12,700 new members.
The recommendation to appoint a
genealogist was finally passed after a
| tilt between friends OF the national board
and the scattered remnants of the other
side'
The only disagreement over the accept
ance of the report of Miss Batcheler oc-
CURED over the recommendation. The re-
ports of all the national officers were &C
cepted by vote after but little discussion.
The question of polygamy in Utah at
this point was then thrown into the very
centre of the congress like a bomb
1t occurred when a delegate produced a
letter recently received from the spirit
of Liberty" Chapter, of Salt Lake City.
Utah, addressed to the congress. 1t was
signed by Corinne NJ. Allen, regent. and
stated that the spirit of the Spirit of
Liberty" Chapter was against polygamy
practices.
1t went into the question at some
length. making a statement OF conditions
in Utah, and what the chapter would like
to see done by the Daughters of the Amer
lean Revolution. II was accompanied by
a resolution from Mrs. a. Bradford Wiles,
of Illinois, providing that the sentiment
of the letter be endorsed by the congress.
inadvertently. perhaps, some delegate
made motion to lay the matter upon
the table, and thus defer action until
next year. Instantly there were cries of
mo, No, Never," from all parts OF the
theatre. Mrs. Margaret B. Harvey. Of
Pennsylvania, came upon the platform,
pushing her way to the front.
Poly gamists Were Roasted.
Let US not let this opportunity pass to
voice the strength of the sentiment of this
congress for pure womanhood and the
purity OF the home" she said
Delegates all over the house sprang to
their teet, seconding the expression of Mrs.
Harvey. When the vote to lay the mat
ter on the table was taken a mere handful
of women answered in the affirmative. The
letter was considered.
Miss Johnson offered an amendment
making Mrs. Wiles' resolution stronger. 1t
provided that no polygamist or descendant
OF polygamist should be eligible to mem
bership in the Daughters OF the American
Revolution.
Some of US are descendants Of Abra-
ham," iaterjected Miss Desha, of the Dis
trict of Columbia. what are We TO do"
After a stormy debate-for by this time |
the question of Mormonism and polygamy |
had become a personal question with al |
most every woman-the amendment was
rejected, on the grounds that the Edmunds |
law had made some of the descendants of |
polygamists eligible. The original motion |
of Mrs. Wiles was carried.
In regard to George Washington's birth |
day Mrs. Fairbanks said that the work |
OF the congress Is sufficient; that it was |
not necessary to take any further action. |
we are doing work. she said, that |
George Washington would have supported |
here tonight We arc commemorative |
by our society him who was first in war,
first in peace, and first in the hearts of |
MS countrymen."
A vote OF thanks and appreciation was |
given to Mrs. Fairbanks,
who replied with feeling, saying that she
'eturned her thanks out of a full heart.
The Minute Men were given a rising
'ote of thanks for their attendance at
he theatre each night, while the pages
md the chairman OF the house commit
zee were also thanked.
Mrs. Lockwood introduced a resolution
providing for election by letter, written
n legal form, at cowmittee meetings,
which was opposed by Mrs. Draper. The
esolution was not passed.
Press to Remain.
The question OF excluding the newspa-
,ers at certain session of the next Con-
mental Congress came up, and resolu-
ion TO prevent representatives from be-
ng present at certain times, when pri-
ate business might be discussed, was
assed.
little later Mrs. Wiles moved that
he resolution should ba reseinded. Shs