St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-05-04
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


Congress Of she ID. A. R.-Inferessing
summary Of the PrscccdinEs-Cen
gressisnai Deings-A sugar Party by
the vermont Associations.
(From our Washington correspondent.)
The Daughters of the American Revolu-
ton voted last year to change the date
of their continental congress from Febru-
airy % to April 18, hence the delegates
from all over the United States assembled
upon that day in Chase's Opera House
to open the 18th congress. The weather
was propitious and so numerous were
the delegates that the auditorium could
not accommodate them all, so they were
assigned to the two front rows in the
first balcony and the alternates were
seated behind them. There has been an
increase of 4. $50 members since February
last, so the enrolled membership stands
as 1856 while the real membership
was given as 4O.264. Many members
have either died or withdrawn from the
society. More than 2, 1000 persons were
gathered together upon the opening
session to hear the Presidents address.
Mrs. Teunis Hamlin led in prayer and
Percy Foster opened with "The Star
Spangled Banner" Mrs. Charles w.
Fairbanks, the president, reported the
past year as one of the most successful
in the history of the society. She referred
to the historic date of the anniversary of
the battles OF Lexington and Concord,
April 10, Its, when the men of Lexing-
ton made the armed protest against the
representatives of tyranny 129 years
ago. No date has left so indelible an inn
print upon the worlds history as that
one, and hereafter it will be significant
one for the society as the day for the lay
ing of the corner stone of Memorial Hall.
About 40 chapters have been formed
since the last congress and 80 real daugh-
tiers have joined the society. She had
visited many state conferences and special
meetings and she declared that those
tours would ever be beautiful page in
memory. Many historical spots had
been marked and some monuments had
been raised. Through the Smithsonian
Institution some exhibits of the Daugh-
tiers will be sent to the Louisiana Pur-
chase Exposition. She received frequent
applause during the delivery of her adj
dress which was given without any
written notes.
Mrs. NJ. P. Peck of Iowa had the
delightful task of responding, which she
felt to be an honor. In the name of the
delegates and members she expressed
hope that this would be the most har-
monious and profitable one ever held.
1t was stated there were 272 delegates
accredited to the congress, Al state
regents, 687 chapter regents and 80
national officers, who were expected to
form the voting membership in the con-
ments to the constitution and two to
the BY laws. The consider alton of them
was taken up at an early date in the
proceedings. They evidently did not
meet with the general appreciation of the
society. There was spirited opposition
to the resolution to have vice president
general at large from the army and navy.
This was called class legislation and did
not pass. Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood and
Miss Mary Desha both objected to being
retired as honorary life vice president
generals of the society. Mrs. Lockwood
preferred to have the amendment with
drawn and Miss Desha wished it voted
down-it was withdrawn-in fact the
first five amendments were all voted
down and the ones to constitute a state
could be referred for discussion and final
settlement were also voted down as
taking the legislative power from the
congress.
Any motion to reduce the amount of
dues to the national society always
meets with strong and decided opposi-
ton in Washington. Mrs. Donald Nc
Lean of New York. regent of the great
New York city chapter, supported the
10th amendment, which was that no
amendment to an amendment should be
acted upon by the same congress in
which it is proposed. 1t has been sug-
gested that an amendment shall not be
brought up only once in two years here
after, SO this did not pass. And some OF
the delegates objected to bringing in so
many amendments to the constitution
yearly and wasting time in discussion
and then voting them down or to lay on
the table; but they claim that they are
aiming to perfect the constitution. The
discussion of the second bylaw occa-
stoned some amusement-of how and
when the official or recognition pin of
the society shall be worn. Some wore it
as pin and some as buckle at the belt,
but it was suggested that hereafter it
should be worn on the left breast. re-
ception was given to the members of the
d. A. r. congress at the Corcoran art
gallery upon Monday from 9 to II p. M.
The evening was mild and beautiful, so
there was an unusually large assem-