New-York tribune., 1903-02-24
THE ID. Il. R. CONGRESS-.
Session Opens an Washimgtom-1o TO
day Promises To Be EGcitSng:
IRY rELEGRArH ro rHE TRInrNE

Washington Feb 23-The twelfth Continental
Congress of the Daughters of the American ReVo-
luton called to order this morning at ~
O'Clock by its president general. Mrs. Charles W.
Fairbanks. Chase's Opera House, which had been
given to the Daughters for the week was
decorated with bunting and flags The stage was
set with palms and had large flags draped over d
full length portrait of Washington in Contlnehtai
uniform Mrs Fairbanks in a modish black gown
trimmed with cream lace. opened the session WIN
address of welcome. In sketchng an outline Vi
the work done by the society in the last year she
said that in the New-York State Conference meas
ures taken to permanently for the needs
of INDECENT real Daughters and that in Syracuse
there had dedicated to the soldiers and sailors
of the Revolution buried in Onondaga County an
artistic tablet of bronze.
Mrs. Fairbanks must have felt the suppressed
excitement of the houseful of women when she
said: Among the proposed amendments Is one
relating to the terms of office in the national SO
ciety. placing certain limitations upon the length
of service" The speakers voice could be heard at
the further end of the house. and she made the
announcement calmly though her present
high position did depend upon the construction
of the amendment. She also called attention to
proposed change of date of the annual meeting TO
either 1.-The week in which the 18th of April falls
to the first Monday in May" The reason gwen
is because of the discomfort of winter travel and
that the week of the session is often stormy, and
injuries and illness have often resulted from eX-
posure at this time. This change. it is understood
will be objected to- especially by those Daughters
who come from distance and desire to visit Con-
gress while in session. i thought that the
amendment relating tenure of office would be
laid before the society to-day, but the congress
adjourned 4 o'clock action this important
matter postponed until tomorrow Though
several candidates mentioned as available In
case the congress bars Mrs. Fairbanks from re-
election. there to be general opinion tnat
Mrs. Donald Mclean will be the most formidable
contestant in the field. She has said all along;
however, that she is IN sense a candidate until
the amendment is construed. 1t is believed that IL
nomination. but she positively refuses to make any
statement except that she will not make a contest
for the office with Mrs. Fairbanks. This afternoon
the society held patriotic exercises at the opera
House. and afterward went to the site of the fuure
Continental Hall. where Mrs. Fairbanks. with Mrs
Mary S. Lockwood and Miss Desha, founders OF
the Daughters of the American Revolution, raised
inaugurations of President Mckinley, and the flag
presented to the society by the Sons or the
American Revolution Mrs Donald Mclean. re-
gent of the New-York chapter, suggested last fal
that when the ground for Continental Hall was
purchased a flag be raised every day above the
ground until the building erected.
The thousand and more members in attendance
those favor of Mrs Fairbanks fear the com
plications that her success would entail Apart
from bearing other offices. they feel that IL
would be antagonistic to the teaching OF Wasn-
ington himself, who refused more than two PreSi-
Dental terms. Mrs. Farbankss popularity Is eVl-
denced by the delegates from all parts OF the coun
try and those who will vote against her re-
election will regret the loss of SO capable and
gracious a leader. Tonight the delegates visited
the Library of Congress.