The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-21

gent.
 Social position alone should not in- fluence membership in the D. A R. society.-The State Regent.
 The completion of Continental hall, the preservation of Revolutionary relics. the marking of Revolutionary soldiers graves
 the finding of real daughters formed the principal discussion at the sessions held yesterday by the Alabama society of the Daughters of the American Revo- luton, whose regents met in annual con- ference as the guests of the General Sumpter chapter Formal addresses and reports from the chapter regents and from the chairman of standing commit tees made two busy sessions, while a prolonged discussion at the afternoon ses- sion affecting amendments to the by laws consumed much time.
 All of the sessions are being held at the home of the chapter regent, Mrs
 Addison G. Smith. In the handsome
 drawing rooms, hag-deeked the regents and delegates assembled yesterday morn- ing at 10 o'clock The conference opened
 with the impressive D. A. R. ritual. Mrs.
 c. A. Stakely of Montgomery is the
 chaplain for the conference After the singing of America the address of vel
 come was made by Mrs. Addison C.. Smith, who in a characteristically gracious
 speech, welcomed the daughters on be-
 half of the General Sumpter chapter.
 Mrs. J. D. McNeel of the Andrew Jack
 son chapter of Talladega. It was pro-
 nouneed eloquent with patriotism as well
 as expressive of the cordial feeling of the visiting daughters
 When the conference was formally call
 ed to order by the state regent, Mrs J .
 Morgan Smith. the drawing room pre-
 sented a most interesting scene Many distinguished guests were present women
 foremost in patriotic work. those who
 from an inherited right owe a peculiar
 duty to their country, and who have been among the first to teach lessons in pa triotism. The cause they represented,
 the ideals, the strength of the national society as the foremost organization of
 the country emphasized in many ways
 the importance of the gathering.
 Following the usual business routine
 came the annual report of the state re- gent. MrS. SIn1tn'S report covered in full the work of the Alabama society.
 It was most encouraging and was pro- nounced a most brilliant address. The state regent made notable reference to the completion of Continental hall a work which she urged the continued sup port of the Alabama Daughters The hall Is being erected in Washington by ] the National society at a cost of s4OO 100. Mrs. Smith made an eloquent plea for influential In hoT address touched upon the eligibility to membership in the D. A R. Society She quoted from a speech made at one of the Continental congresses when a promi- nent Daughter said that the D. A. R society was not an arstocratic organiza- ton, but one patriotic Mrs. Smith, in continuing declared that social position alone should not influence membership in the society, and she emphasized the peculiar requirements not based on so- | called social prominence. Social position l cannot make a woman eligible to the D. A. R. society," said the regent. Conference committees appointed by | the regent were announced. Mrs L. J. | Haley. state secretary. gave her report | and the treasurer and historian also made their reports The Daughters ad- | iourned for luncheon which was served
 at the residence of Mrs. Smith. The decorations were in the national colors and an elegant buffet luncheon was
 served from 1 to 2 o'clock.
 The afternoon session of the Daughters
 was devoted to the reports of standing committees Mrs. Ellen Peter-Bryce of Tuscaloosa, one of the most brilliant
 women attending the conference, gave a
 report of Continental hall and the Daughters responded with liberal contri- buttons. A most interesting report was made by Mrs. T. l., Robinson of Annls-
 ton, chairman of the committee on Revo-
 lutionary relics. Mrs. Rhett Goode of
 Mobile. chairman of the committee on real daughters. gave also a most inter- | esting report Mrs. John Wyley of Mont | gomery made an eloquent appeal for the American Monthly Magazine the national
 organ.
 The observance of flag day was the 1 inspiration of much patriotic discussion, | the state regent declaring that the flag
 was a silent but potent factor in pa I triotism Other discussions took up | amendments to the bylaws, the principal l changes affecting the representation of l the chapters at the annual conferences | and congresses and the time of holding | the conference. The discussion continued l for some time and was somewhat tire
 some to the Daughters, but with Mrs. | Smiths fine presiding and her tact on | all occasions, the Daughters were not
 ever involved in any parliamentary tan l gle. The state regent is noted for her l just rulings. and for her grace as bril- 1 liant presiding officer.
 The conference will hold a session this |