New-York tribune., 1905-04-10
ELECTRIC SITUATION.
When the Three D. Il. r. PreSiden-
haI Candidates Meet in Washington.
rrnor rrr rR1pUNE BrREAu.l

zvssh.nrton. -Aprl s-The contest for the presi-
dency Of the Daughters Of the American Revolt r
tion Is becoming warm. Mrs. Donald Mclean
candidate for the office OF president general. Will
come TO Washington on Wednesday next. 70 remain
until the close OF the congress, which meets here
or the nth She viii be at the Arlington. where
the NeW-York delegation always establishes Its
headquarters Mrs. ste-nberg. another candidate
FOR the place IS already here. having a permanent
residence IN Washing gton- Mrs. Lipptt. third
candidate Eho came here at the beginning Of last
week 70 attend the sessions Of the national board
LEFT the city Friday morning. and will not return
until the latter part Of this week
Delegates 70 the congress and Daughters from
Hll over the country are conyerging IN this drec-
ton. and a lively campaign is in progress. State
Tneuts and counter statements are going forth
from the various headquarters. and the bulk Of
the malls coming and going from Washington is
increasing perceptbly the contest approaches its
climax. Only the presence here of the three can
d1dafes Is required 20 make the situation electric.
Pending their arrival Continental Hall especially in
;ts financial phases. Is getting its full share OF
tention. It viii be ready for use by the congress-
End that Is the all important point at this tuncture
EXTRAVAGANT CLAIMS
Some extravagant claims are being made by the
enthusiastic followers Of the various candidates
Statements made by the managers. however, are,
as e rule, rather conservative Mrs. Sternberg
ths candidate best known to the local branch Of
the society. stands for TWO conspicuous ideas or
policies which have heretofore dominated the or
ganization IN Its selection OF leader. She IS
resident in Washington, where its headquarters
are established and where. in Continental Hall
Il is erecting a permanent home. and she is the
wife Of a man IN Official life, General George NJ.
6ternberg, retired surgeon general OF the United
States Army. Fourteen years ago when the So
ciety was organized. the adyisability OF having
woman whose social position was Of an official
Character al its head universally recognized.
Following OUT this poIcy. Mrs. Benjamin Harri-
son. Mrs. John II. Foster and Mrs. Adlai T. Stew
enson were early chosen as presidents Of the So
elety. As Il grew numerically and became thor
oUghly established throughout the country some
OF !ts more self-reliant members advanced the
proposition that in future It might safely elect its
presiding officers their Individual merits and
fitness. regardless Of external considerations But
the .dea which had been grated on the society
In the first stages % its development had taken a
hrn hold especially on its more dependent spirits
ana the congress OF 1885 witnessed sharp con-
test for supremacy between these two policies
Mrs. McLean has been prominent figure in the
society ever since.
IN the present contest Mrs. Mclean has all the
advantages and disadvantages Of being positive
quantity. No woman in the society has warmer
friends or more bitter enemies. Her following IS
large, and represents all sections Of the country.
Aalne even her opponents concede, IS solidly hers
Massachusetts,. her adherents anticipate viii give
her majority. Pennsylvania is with her. and the
State regent II is said, has indorsed her candidacy
Illinois and Michigan. her supporters declare are
soAdy hers although Mrs. Sternberg's followers
ooncede her only one chapter in the former State
She has large following in the Middle West. while
The South il is asserted. is almost solidly hers.
MRS. sTERNBERG'S ADVANTAGES
Mrs. 6ternberg. as q candidate. has. on the con-
usry. tie advantages and disadvantages OF being
q negative quality She excites no animoslty, nor
car II be said that she arOuses marked enthusiasm.
The strong point brought forward by her adherepts
hat as chairman Cf the ways and means commit
lee she has been earnest worker for the Con
unenJal Han is nowhere denied. She represents an
ioes- She Is ar abstraction. and makes personal
appeal She viii pon a large vote, for many Daugh-
tsfs here and elsewhere fee! that the interests or
me Society w!ll be safe in her hands. She Wsu make
Ms. Walter Harvey Weed. who IS actively man
seng her campaign, Is one OF the clever young
SSotnen oi the society, and has recently taken a
IN Mrs I1ppitt a new element asks recognition.
Sic inVsdes the stTongholds Of both Mrs. Mclean
sha Mrs. Sternberg, and IN this particular may Dc
tesagoed as compromise candidate. She cpun-
leracts some Of the formers strength among those
who do not want a Washington woman. ana some
ot the ietters among those who adhere 70 the !dea
Of having q woman who is has been identified
VITA ot-c!al life. Her husband was Governor oA
Rhode Island for two terms. She Is a young "oin-
an, attractive in appearance ana manner, and has
many ardent admirers, partlcnlarly among az ~
young women q the society. aer own s1aLe @ i1S nS
The society bgt many Influential men; AInShg Lno @
women Of the society who "a are DseEl.E Iiei NJ
Howard, State regent Of Virginia; Ma nom @
State regent OF Maryland: MISS Loteil, State , -
presidsnf now lf,fug 81 Colorado, and Miss FOR
Eythe az New-York. What her actual strshg - -
sE be When i comes & 20 are recognized conditions
Which may augment the nnInDst t5 esr n iS Be-
nsgsd NAT abe VII be azores % Fsskea "''A '"s