Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-21

Mrs. John r. Walker,
Vice President General
gloved hands. She gazed over toward Mrs.
Sternberg and made a motion that ex-
pressed failure, then settled back in her
chair and famed herself.
Two of Mrs Sternberg's friends came
upon the platform, looking gloomy as night,
and barely breathed as they passed other
friends 'g-o-n-e," but ii was sufficient. Up
in the gallery the husband of Mrs. Mclean,
who has been almost more interested in her
candidacy than Mrs. Mclean, and their
charming young daughter and grown son.
sat surrounded by half a hundred friends.
They had evidently learned the news, for
all were restless, and the young ladies in
the party kept running down to the front
of the gallery and tossing kisses from
gloved finger tips to the Mclean delega-
tions on the floor.
Crowds gathered about the New York
chapter delegation in the rear of the hall
under the galleries and patted Mrs. Nc
Lean on the shoulders, impulSively kissed
her, shook hands. whispered. laughed aloud
in their joy. and in every way the con-
greSs learned long before the vote was an
nounced that Mrs. Mclean was chosen.
Mrs. Avery's All-Important Report.
Mrs. Avery was at last presented to the
congress to make her report. She looked
weary and worn, and as though a twenty
ioui HouiS VI SuCH trying UutleS was uot
conducive to good health. Little ripples of
applause broke out around the hall as she
advanced The congress simply could not
keep STILL She apologized for the informal
report, as she said she had not had time to
make formal one She would do that
later. She then announced:
There were 800 votes cast and 346 votes
were necessary to choice. Mrs. Donald
Mclean received 362"-and that ended the
report of the chairman of tellers for about
three minutes.
The cheer that went up was like that
which men give in national political con-
vention on winning a hard-fought fight for
national honors. 1t was happy intensely
human. and hundreds of male voices were
mixed in with shriler feminine ones which
have not yet learned how to cheer. Those
in the galleries had been warned in adj
vance by Mrs. Fairbanks that the struct-
ures were only temporary. and that stamp
ing must be avoided lest they all come
down, and that enthusiasm must be con-
fined to cheers.
The alternates and friends up there went
wild at once. They shouted waved their
handkerchief, rained flowers on the heads
of the delegates below, and on the floor
women Rugged each other, kissed clapped
their hands, and one frantic young daughter
Jumped on her chair in the New York
delegation and yelled: "Oh. am so happy
and danced a wee bit of jig. The ladies
began to crowd about Mrs. Mclean and
nearly smothered her with their embraces
Mrs. Fairbanks sat quietly tanning through
1t all. tanning very vigorously, indeed and
let the enthusiasm wear itself out. Finally
from very exhaustion the congress grew a
little calmer and Mrs. Avery patiently
waiting to make her report, proceeded,
Mrs. Sternberg, 800
Then the friends of Mrs. sternberg who
stood calmly surveying the unusual scene
from her place near the platform, gave
expression to their love for her by cheering
Tor minute. When this began Mrs. Fair
banks arose and extended her hand toward
Mrs. Sternberg, who, like a general who
had won instead of losing battle ad-
vanced till she stood beside the president
general
Cheers for Mrs. Sternberg.
above the noise and confusion arose the
voice of the president general, and those
on the platform heard her say:
Mrs. Sternberg of the District Is recog-
nized."
The attention of the congress was gained
and quiet came in a second, as Mrs. Stern
berg advanced step and smilingly with
out a tremor in her smooth voice said: Il
move that the fourteenth continental con-
gress make the election of Mrs Donald
Mclean of New York unanimous
Like an electric spark the motion fell on
the inflammable elements in the convention
and the scene which followed beggared the
one which preceded it. Mrs. Sternberg's
motion was made 50 generously and so I'M
unexpectedly that in a second there were
no factions-all were daughters-and all
frantically tried to do honor to two splendid
leaders. Mrs. Sternberg was surrounded by
her friends at once, handkerchiefs were
used on eyes and there was mix-up
Mrs. Lippitt Seconds Motion.
Suddenly clear. resonant voice arose on
the superheated air. 1t came from Mrs
Charles Warren Lippitt. who declared that
she demanded the right to second the mo-
ton or Mrs. Sternberg. The president gen.
erai tried to put the motion, but nobody
was listening, and she might as well have
tried to talk to sirocco or simeon
Cries OF Mclean Mclean! ran round
the room, and the cry became roar In
second the friends of Mrs Mclean were
hustling her down the aisle and up on the
platform. As she assembled the platform
she extended her hand to Mrs. Fairbanks
and that lady responded, the grasp being
broken by Mrs. Sternberg who reached
across the president generals table to get
Mrs. McLeans hand. Amidst cheers and
cries of Speech "speech" Mrs. Mclean
shook the dozens of hands on the platform
and then turning, faced the congress.
Ladies. your president general-elect Mrs.
Donald Mclean" announced Mrs Fair
banks as she sank in her chair.
Pacificatory Address
When the hysterical applause which again
began had subsidized Mrs. Mclean. her voice
much broken with emotion, said: 1.-THE
first words l have to say are these: To ex-
press my appreciation Of the loyalty and
unseifish friendship of those who have
stood by me in this contest 1t would III
becope me to forget them. And shall not
forget them. l want those who. with my
self. were candidates for the Office. to be
with me, and IT Is my request that Mrs
Sternberg and Mrs IAppitt come and stand
by my side
The two ladies came forward and stood
near her as she made little speech which
completed the melting of hardened hearts
and seemed to cement them for all time
My heart Is very full of emotion, and
yet that emotion is not one of pride of
office. but one of pride in this great or
ganzation. an organization of such a char
acter that no woman need be ashamed to
aspire TO be It's president general. The
most significant emotion / now feel is the
happiness II gives me to serve an organ
ization l joined In its infancy, and which
l have seen grow to such wonderful and
beautiful maturity. And yet 1t has not