Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-20
ALL ARE VOTED DOWN
D. A. R. Congress Rejects
Constitutional Amendments.
: A SPIRITED DEBATE
CONCLUSION OF CEREMONIES YES
TERDAY AFTERNOON.
Addresses by Mrs. Mary A. Lockwood
and Others-A Memorial
Tablet
: A SPIRITED DEBAT E

The Daughters of the American Revolu-
ton met at 10 o'clock this morning, and
after getting tangled UP among amend
ments to it's constitution, debate on which
lasted for three fruitess hours, voted to
table two of them, and the other was lost
for lack of a constitutional majority.
The congress opened in due form with
prayer by the chaplain general, Mrs. Teu-
mis- S. Hamlin. Mrs. Lester of John Adams
Chapter, Boston, sang The Star Spangled
Banner" and the congress Joined in the re-
frain, led by Mr.. Percy Foster.
Consideration of the amendments was be-
gun. The eighth amendment was the first
to come up. 1t fills less than one page of
the pamphlet of amendments, and is sign
ed by eleven members of ten chapters, yet
II is starred to call attention to a foot note
which shows that in eight different points
the small amendment is in conflict with
provisions of the constitution. The won
der is that the amendment should have
found recognition so far as to be printed
under such conditions but 1t was there,
and the congress proceeded to discuss 1t
in all gravity, then tabled It,
The ninth amendment provided for cut
ting down the per capita tax of the chap
lain to the national society. This was dis
cussed with grave formality, but suddenly
some member moved to table the amend
ment and IL was tabled. On this amend
ment, as on each of the preceding eight,
after the matter was settled. dozen dele
gates began protesting that alternateS were
voting, that the delegates had not under
stood the question: members were not in
formed TO the effect of the amendment,
etc. To all these remarks Mrs. Edwards,
vice president general for Iowa, who was
in the chair. replied pleasantly that the Ia
dies ought to pay attention and know what
they were voting for.
Interposes Objection.
Suddenly a little lady from Ohio arose
with a serious objection to the way legs-
lation was being performed. 1T is not
right" she declared. in high-pitched tones.
ito call off debate In this way. We ought
to discuss these questions fully"
That is a privilege the congress enjoys
at its own will" declared the chairman,
Mrs. Edwards. "It discusses or not, as 1t
desires.
but. Madame President" protested the
little woman Congress votes to table ey-
erytbing. and before know 1t discus
sion Is cut off. 1t isn't right, Madame Pres
ident; / protest against 1t. IT cuts us off
from talking. Ladies' ought not to make
motions to table till we have discussed
things fully"
The reasoning of the Ohio woman was
greeted with laughter as Mrs. Edwards in
formed the protesting Ohio woman that
no gag rule" had been applied to the con-
gress: that Ii was free TO vote as IL pleas
ed and that the chair could not control
the congress against a majority vote.
But the congress ought not TO vote that
way" still protested the Ohio woman. II
don't think 1t is right to make I'M
debatable motions. We want to talk" and
amidst another shout of laughter the Ohio
woman sank into her seat.
The tenth amendment went the way of
all the others but by default of a consti-
tnuonal majority. There was no DISPOSE
ton to adopt any of the other amendments
but good majority though not two thirds
desired the adoption of an amendment
which declared mo amendment to an
amendment to the constitution of bylaws
shall be acted upon by the same congress
in which II is proposed"
This amendment was proposed by Mrs.
Mathew I. Scott vice president general for
Illinois. In support of II Mrs Scott de-
clared that 1t was not right that amend
ments to the constitution which had been
offered for year should be amended on
the spur OF the moment In open congress,
amendments to amendments never having
been considered. Then Mrs Scott proceed
ed to request that the amendment as Of
fered by herself should be amended by the
addition of the words at the end of the
proposed paragraph Except by unanimous
consent" which. of course raised a laugh
as she thus with one blow attempted to
amend an amendment" on the spur of
the moment"
rights OF representative body was dis
cussed up and down. on the bias and on
the straight" 1t got all kinds of inter-
pretations. and was construed to mean
most anything. 1t was voted upon once,
and the vote was not satisfactory, so the
congress voted upon Il again. members
meanwhile talking and discussing its pro-
visions. After third count of the vote
the amendment having failed Of a two
thirds majority was declared to be lost
great many of the delegates expressed
satisfaction on this result. as It's adoption
would have created unbearable conditions
as under the rules of the d. A. r. the vote
on the main question. IL amended. would
take four years to reach. All the amend
ments to the constitution have been voted
down. Amendments to the bylaws will be
considered next.
Reception at White House.
Just before adjournIng for lunch 1t was
announced that the President would re-
ceive the d. A. r. at 3 o'clock
petition was presented to the congress
asking that the d. A. r. as body ask the
United States Congress to interfere to save
from destruction some house of colonial
lame which stands In the way of the plans
Oh the park commission. The congress