Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-04
THAT MONTANA CASE
Such Action Contemplated by Small
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Assigned
Course Not Unusual.

Some surprise was created at D. A. r.
headquarters this morning by the state
ment In morning paper that the Men
tana Ghost" was still walking. 1t is stated
there that everything Is calm In Montana,
so far as they know. and no trouble Inn
pending. The statement that Ravilli
Chapter Of Helena has surrendered its
charter il stated not to be true. That 1t
had definitely decided to do SO was made
known in letter received this morning.
The letter was addressed to the vice presi-
dent general In charge of organization, Mrs.
Charlotte Emerson Main. saying that RAJ
will Chapter was DESTROYS" OF surrender
Ing its charter and asking how this may
be legally done. The charter has not been
surrendered. It Is said.
1t is stated at national headquarters that
II Orc Elmo Chapter of Helena, Mont, has
adopted resolutions condemnatory of any
body copies of the revolutions have
not been received at headquarters, and
nothing Is known about them there.
1t Is also stated that Montana has
but four chapters, and never has had but
four. The chapter which Is DESTROYS Of sur
rendering it's charter consists of twelve
members, just the number required to Sc
cure and hold a charter. 1t Is regarded as
barely possible that two or three members
have been added since the last report. 1t
Is stated to be giving up it's charter because
It is too expensive for so small number
of women to maintain. The members still
retain their membership in the national
society and there is no loss of membership
to the organization.
Not Regarded as Unique.
The statement that giving up a char
ter is unique" declared member Of
the national society, today, us not true.
Many chapters have given up their char
fer 81 ~ ,poJ
society. There are great many reasons
for this. one being that after chapter Is
organized with twelve members, which is
the legal number to hold charter, mem
bers move away. die. or for other reasons
sever their connection with the chapter
NATURALLY the chapter gives up the charter.
1t must be remembered that in a state
like Montana, for instance, there IL not the
material to draw upon for membership.
Not nearly 30 many descendants of revo-
lutionary soldiers are found in the west as
in the east, and 1t Ia q difficult matter to
organize chapters in the west for this
reason. Then 1t must also be remembered
that giving up charter does not mean
that the members of that chapter leave the
organization. Our members all belong to
the national organization first, and to the
chapter simply as a matter OF social or So
ciety convenience. The member retains con-
nection with the national society and pays
dues to 1t whether In a chapter or not.
1.-THE surrendering of the Ravilli Chapter
charter simply means that the members
will have less money to pay out individ-
ualiy. A great mnay OF the chapters OBJ
jeet to paying dues to the National So
ciety and every session OF the Continental
Congress we have appeals to cut down the
live II they have to pay DO much Of their
money to the national organization
RavilA Chapter IL said to be the smallest
of Montana's four chapters. Silver Bow
Chapter. the largest, has about thirty three
members.
Course Of Procedure.
1t Is stated at headquarters that there
was a ruling Of the Continental Congress
which decided that when there is only one
delegate from state to the congress the
election Of regent and state regent goes
over to the board Of management This
rule was in full force In the Congress IN
which the Montana matter first came up
and. 1t was stated, had never been re-
scinded by the congress. Montana had but
one delegate-Miss McCracken--in the Con-
tifental Congress at that time, and when
1t came time to elect regent and vice re-
gent for Montana Miss McCracken voted
for her mother for regent and for Mrs.
Weed as vice regent Montana then, as
now 1t is stated had but four chapters.
With the knowledge of the old rule which
had once been enforced by the national
board Of nagement, Mrs. Draper, sta ting
that these two chapters had Endorsed some
body else. and that the board had hitherto
held with the Continental Congress that one
delegate could not elect the state officers,
asked that the election be held up for the
national board to act upon. Without dis
senting voice, 1t Is stated, the congress per-
mitted this to be done.
The first meeting of the national board
was held but two days later, and when the
vice regent elected from Montana by the
one vote desired to be heard in that board
meeting. which, ii is stated, was not the
regular meeting anyhow. Mrs. Mclean. the
president general. said she would let the
matter lie over to the next meeting until
she could have the vice president general In
charge Of organization look into the matter,
and the minutes of the continental congress
were before her.
At the board meeting held one month
later the president general, wishing to give
the members every right had the vice
president general in charge of organiza ton
read her report before there was a call of
the roll. so that the Montana member might
exercise all her rights. This was done, 1t
Is stated, and the Montana members, by
a decision Of the national board resembling
it's former action and that OF the congress-
admitted the Montana vice regent
Mrs. Mclean, president general, will
reach Washington this evening, and there
will be meeting Of the national board to-
morrow afternoon.