The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-25
GASPEE
CHAPTERS
MEETING
Special Session Held for Pur.
pose Of Listening to Report Of
Twelfth Continental Congress

A special meeting Of the Gaspee chap
tion, was held in the rooms OF the Rhode
Island Historical society at o'clock yes
terday afternoon with a large and repre-
sentative attendance OF the members.
The meeting was called primarily for
the purpose OF listening TO report of
the 18th Continental congress which was
presented by Mrs. Nicholas Berry. one of
the delegates from Gaspee chapter to the
conference.
a big business meeting preceded Mrs
Berry's report in which the report of the
secretary, Mrs. John II. Hess was read
and approved. The recommendation OF
the board 10 revise the bylaws Of Gaspee
chapter was also accepted and II was
moved that committee be appointed by
the regent for this purpose.
Mrs Huntsman named the following
members OF this committee later in the
Afternoon: Miss Mary Anne Greene. Miss
Anne w Stockbrldge and Mrs. William
II. Talbot
Miss Stockbrldge for the educational
committee OF the chapter. made an ex-
cellent report on the work which had
been done along these lines. She report
ed that the educational committee Of
Gaspee chapter had arranged for a Sc
ries OF three lectures TO be given in the
Italian language 10 the men and women.
the non English speaking people, in the
vicinity OF Federal street grammar school.
The lectures are % be given in the large
hall OF the school building and will be
illustrated by the stereopticon, the gen
eral subject being American History.
The first lecture VIII deal with dscoY-
cries and settlements in America.
The second lecture Will take up the
revolutionary period and the third VIII
be descriptive OF America OF the present
day I'm relation 10 it's educational and in
dustrlal growth. In a word, the lectures
will deal with American history FROM the
early Indian period 10 the present day,
the object Of the same being to instruct
the non English speaking residents i'm
American history, the principles Of our
government and thereby promote pa triot-
ism and a love OF American institutions.
At the close Of these preliminaries Mrs.
Berry gave Il complete and -cumprehen-
sive story OF the proceedings OF the 18th
continental congress weaving into the
story many OF her own observations and
impressions which made the narrative
doubly interesting.
Beginning with the first day of the con
gress she pictured the sessions as they
occurred from day TO day and dwelt
sion. In connection with the proceedings
Of the opening day Mrs. Berry referred
10 the president general. Mrs. Fairbanks,
and her charming personality, together
with the characteristics which made her
an ideal presiding officer The admir-
able address OF welcome by Mrs. Fair
banks was described by Mrs Berry to-
sether with the graceful response by
Mrs. Montgomery.
Continuing Mrs Berry gave very
clear description OF the brilliant social
functions OF the congress. Mrs Berry
told also OF the discussions and plans
concerning Continental hall and described
the proposed location OF the same.
The report Of Mrs. Darwin the treas
urer OF the national organization. was
Berry. the following figures being quoted
from the report as OF special interest TO
every loyal ID. a. r.; Income of cur
rent fund for the past year, SS1 .673.ll;
which added to the fund on hand at the
first OF the previous year makes total
Of s4j2GS q: total expenses for year
s2S s4.l2: balance. $l6 IL; cost OF the
ilth Continental congress- s595I21: clerk
hire, SSS0l. 81: total number of members ad-
mitted 10 date, 4264
In summing up her admirable report
Mrs Berry said that the 18th Continental
congress would go down 90 posterity as
one OF the most harmonious in the his
tory Of the H. A. r.. and that this de-
lightful condition OF things was due in
large measure TO the graciousness, tact
and courtesy Of the president general
Upon motion OF Mrs. Hess vote or
thanks was rendered Mrs. Berry for her
excellent report after which the meeting
p.H a1