The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-11
CONVENTION OF WOMEN
ROYAL NEIGHBORs OF AMERICA AR
IRVING IN THE CITY.
Candidates Establish Headquarters
and a Lively Fight Is Inaugurated
for the Offices.

Between forty and fifty women, members
OF the Royal Neighbors of America from
various parts of the middle West, most of
them from Illinois. Kansas, Nebraska and
Minnesota, arrived in the city yesterday
afternoon as the advance guard for the
Supreme Camp Of the order, which will be
opened tomorrow. officers and those who
want TO be officers constituted the person.
mel of the early arrivals. All the present
supreme officers that are eligible for re-
election are candidates, but they will not
be permitted TO retain their places without
a struggle, for the list of aspirants to the
principal Offices ranges from three to ten.
The candidates promptly established
their several headquarters on the parlor
floor of the convention, and there was con-
siderable activity among them and their
lieutenants last night, although there could
be little electioneering done, for the simple
reason that practically all of those on the
ground were seeking preferment them
selves. However, there were several quiet
caucuses and some combinations were re-
ported. and to-day when the delegates be-
gin to pour in the fight will be on In earn
est.
Minnesota and Illinois have the most
formidable delegations on the field at pres
ent, the former leading with a representa-
ton Of thirteen delegates and some eight or
ten visitors. There are three candidates
for supreme oracle, the chief office in the
order. Mrs. Z. ID. Watt, of Omaha, the
present incumbent, who is just completing
reelection. Minnesota has candidate In
the person of Mrs. Alice Nash, of Min
neapolis. and Mrs. Lima NJ. Collins, of that
State. member of the board of supreme
Ia al for
ton. Illinois presents a candidate for su-
preme oracle in the person of Mrs. Helen
Nj. Dean, of Summer Hill, and Mrs. C.. w.
Halves, of Rock Island, is a candidate for
reelection TO the board of managers
There are five members of the board of
managers, all of whom seek reelection.
and 1t Is understood that there will be four
or five other candidates. Five or six mem
berS aspire to the offices of supreme ply
sicians, of whom but three can be chosen.
The office of supreme receiver is the only
one that cannot be held for two consecu-
tive terms by the same person, and for this
position there are nine or ten aggressive
candidates. 1t is understood that Mrs.
Winnie Fielder, OF Peoria, supreme record
err will have no opposition, but a candi-
date may appear before the Supreme Camp
is opened tomorrow forenoon.
Major G. w. Halves, of Rock Island, one
OF the three members of the beneficiary
committee. is here. and the other members,
J. w. White, also of Rock Island, and N.
]. G. Johnson. of Peabody. Kan. are ex-
pcCtcu 10 arrive tO-udy. MAYOR BaWeS Is
also head clerk of the Modern Woodmen
The Royal Neighbors are not troubled
with question of readjustment of rates.
which is now bothering the Woodmen, and
Will be the important issue at their Su-
preme Camp here next month, but they
have other questions of Importance tc lend
interest to their sessions, as we'll as the
politics
The Supreme Camp will be opened at 10
o'clock tomorrow with the following pro-
sramme for the first session: Music Mans
field sisters; prayer. Rev. j. Edward
Brown; welcome address, Governor Durbin;
response, Mrs. c. w. Halves; solo, Miss
Mansfield; address, Supreme Oracle Mrs.
L. ID. Watt; appointment of committee on
credentials.
AT the afternoon session tomorrow re-
ports of the committee on credentials and
supreme officers will be received commit
tees will be appointed and the roll call of
supreme officers and delegates will be had.
A banquet at the Denison in the evening
will be the closing function Of the day.