The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-08
The CAUSE OF WOMAN.
THE LATE CONVENTION or THE
ID. 4. H.. IN WASHINGTON.
Amending Its Constitution Was Its Prin-
clpai Occupation-Then II Elected
q President - The Suffrage Ques-
lion In Massachusetts and Illinois.

q President - The Suffrage Ques-
ton In Massachusetts and Illinois.
Several letters have been received ask
ing why nothing was said In this DEPART
nent last Sunday In regard 70 the National
Congress of the Daughters OF the American
~;.y,ition. There Is an old adage-'When
there is moth ng to say, say It," Besides.
the article was mailed 10 the middle OF
the week and II was thought that perhaps
later there might be somethin' dom. but
there wasn't. The principal and In fact
almost the sole object OF these great annual
congresses Is to amend the constitution.
hut on alternate years additional zest Is
given by the election OF officers. 1t re-
oIiro, very robust constitution to stand
the mending which this one las had during
il, twelve years Of existence. The original
was long since lost in the shuttle, it's present
remains consisting only In the name and
objects Of the society. Last year there
was no election, and 70 whole week was
given to amending the constitution When
i, was finally licked into shape 1t consisted
of eight articles and sixteen bylaws. The
congress upon assembling this year found
itself confronted by nineteen amendments
10 the constitution proper and half dozen
to the bylaws.
To the consideration of these amend
nents the entire time Of the congress was
given from Monday morning until after
o'clock the next Sunday morning. except
the one day devoted to electing officers.
When the smoke of battle had cleared away
and the dead and dying had been carried
of the field. 1t was found that. as a result
Of the contest, four amendments to the
constitution had been carried, the other
fifteen tabled lost or not acted upon. and
those to the bylaws all referred to
committee. There never was a time when
one-fourth OF the delegates knew what
amendment they were discussing or which
side they were voting on
Tho congress Is dominated absolutely
BY the national board, or, as 1t Is Affection
ately termed by delegates, the ring. II
il wants an amendment passed, 1t goes; II
not, the delegates are confused and tied
I'D by motions and counter-motions, amend
ments to the amendments, points OF order.
questions OF privilege and parliamentary
rulings. II, in spite OF all. things begin
20 look perilous the official reader glides to
the front and reads a lot Of notices-lost
articles, receptions, &c. and when the Con-
gress gets down to business again 1t finds
itself switched on TO another amendment.
At 4 o'clock every day. no matter what
question is before the house, the entire
body rises to ate d tea There were
over twenty receptions during the week.
and dinners and luncheons galore.
In vain a few of the delegates struggle
against the power Of the so.called ring
they find themselves outwitted at every
point The masses OF the go, however,
simply sit in daze of bewildernent trying
TO figure out where they are at and wish
ing II was time for reception The long
expected fight for the presidency was
averted the very first day OF the congress
through a clever "deal- by. which one can
didate withdrew on an understanding tn t
her election would not be opposed two years
from now. It will be interesting at that
time to note the good faith In which this
formers went home happy because they
f. had passed an amendment forbidding any
person from holding once two consecu-
tive terms, thus breaking up the ring,
another since the organization was founded.
But this year the frst act OF the congress-
was to pass another amendment excepting
the president-general.s and the second was
active on those already In ONCE. thus leav-
ing them all eligible for another position
on the official board. One OF the resolutions
passed was 70 appoint committee OF ar
20 settle the disputed questions which arise
in the various chapters. "A numbers OF
these contain as many as twelve members
IL seems a. II no court OF less importance
than The Hague tribunal should De al
lowed TO have JURISDICTION.
To sun up. the congress A. whole was
more Harmonious than In preceding years.
a. Mrs. Fairbanks is a Just, tactful ana
popular presiding officer. but none ever was
more worthless as to results. The cost OF
100 delegates and aternates present ,
and, making the very low estimate OF
800 ms the average expenses, the amount
il 100000 for their attendance. The total
result II this great expenditure was rais-
ing q nag, receiving contributions for Con-
mental Hall, electing officers. passing
four amendments and attending twenty
Tecept ions. $500
Tie running expensAs Of the organization.
according 10 the headquarters report, are
about $4,000 I'er annum. The expenses
- the magazine above receipts are over
$4,000 Tie total number Of members
admitted during the twelve years H. given
a. eos About 5000 are reported NJ In
arrears and 2I3o a. having resigned The
~lole number 81 whom dues can D. es-
ili. slowing " oontrasasd With the W {,
! 4 OF tic federation Of Ciui-, with tli"ir
a. vefAl hundred thousand mefni,ers each.
and With VARIOUS otlsr bodls-, IL viii ie
ssen that lilsiead VI very Affe, Tie " "
10 really q very small. Organization. u oon.
tAiis, however, . greater proportion ~
s.alih and social prestige Than any o'i,ef'
Aid tl.eie I.sver sas any s,cis,y ~ ~oinea
VI ldl Lad such = pol icL holi, ihis
A rarity l.soal.se n ooi,tAl,.s ~ May wives
Sia daughters ~ Legislators, lui ps.iss.
laly i.s.l.ss VI We patriotic cissisnssf si,d
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aus ~ois " tbs iaen ~ ti,s oounify sad
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