Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-04-21
D. A. r.

Mrs. Donald Mclean, a native oil
Maryland, after a contest lasting more
than eight years was yesterday evening
elected president-genersl ofthe National
Society of the Daughters of the Ameri-
can Revolution n,w in session 10 Wash
ington. The vote on the second ballot
was 362 for Mrs. Mclean and 800 for
Mrs. Sternberg.
When the vote was announced the
delegates cheered, leaping to their feet,
waving handerchiefs and some in the ex-
element leaped upon chairs aud threw
their arms wildly 10 the air.
Mrs. S~ternberg. the defeated candi-
date, obtained the attention of the dele
gates, aud in a few words of thanks to
those who had worked and voted for her
moved that the election of Mrs. Mclean
be made unanimous. Mrs. Lippitt, who
withdrew from the race after the first
ballot, seconded the motion. Then the
excitement reached its height.
Mrs. Fairbanks put the motion and
when the yeas were called the tumult
shook the building. The nays we're then
called and, to the surprise Of all and the
establishment of the two unsuccessful
candidates, several voices in the rear of
the hall voted in the negative. That
was the signal for q hitherto uDwitnessed
scene in the Congress OF the Daughters
Of the American Revolution. There was
a storm of Kisses from the floor and from
the galleries.
Mrs. Fairbanks stood with gayel up
raised, a look of establishment and dis
belief on her face. She raped loudly
! for order, and when the noise had some
what subsidized she said:
at i'll becomes a member OF the Ma
tional Society of the Daughters of the
American Revolution to show such poor
taste. The neutrality-suspicious. has
won a good fight, and it is not worthy
of a daughter to show her ll-feeling and
animosity al a time when the defeated
candidates ask that the election be de-
clared unanimous. | hope the members
who voted in the negative will withdraw
their votes"
There was no further demonstration
on the part of the dissatisfied ones, and
Mrs. Mclean was escorted to the plat
form.
Mrs. Fairbanks then introduced Mrs.
Mclean as the neutrality-suspicious.
of the National Society of the Daughters
of the American Revolution.
Mrs, Mclean said that she wanted to
testify to the appreciation she felt for
the members who had stood by her in
the fight. She said the Daughters of
the American Revolu ion was a body
whose object vas of such a glorious and
patriotic nature that any m would
be proud to be its president-general.
There bad been many hard fights in the
past, she said; many things had been
said that were false and annoying. but
at this time she wanted to say that bar
mony would be the one prevailing fea-
ture OF her administration. She promi q
ed the completion of Continental Hall
and said that the board Of managers
would have her complete and loyal sup
port.
The new president-general then asked
Mrs. Steruberg aud Mrs. Lippitt to stand
by her side, and III a few more words
asked the members to believe in her,
trust her and give her their support.
She said she was one OF the original
members of the society and had witness
ed its growth, and she hoped that her
administration world see the fruition of
a great many plans for the further de-
yelopment Of the society. At this point
she paid a tribute to Mrs. Fairbanks,
and said hat she would try and equal
the record the former president-general
had made.
Mrs. McLean's victory marks the close
of the bitterest fight in the history of the
Daughters of the American Revolution.
1t started eight years ago, when Mrs.
Mclean wanted to be president-general.
She was defeated by Mrs. Daniel Mann
ing. The mex session reelected Mrs.
Manning. Mrs. Fairbanks and Mrs.
Mclean were then opposing candidates.
1t is asserted that Mrs. Fairbanks did
not stand by an agreement made with
Mrs. Mclean. Then the fight started
in earnest. Within the last four years
it has been exciting, but until the ballot
yesterday the Mclean forces have been
defeated.