New-York tribune., 1906-04-17
DAUGHTERS IN SESSION
applause for Mrs. Mclean at Open
ing of AnnuaI Congress.
rFrom The Tribune Buresu.I

National Society of the Daughters OF the Ameri-
can Revolution at Continental Hall to-day. and
the scene was one OF perfect harmony.
The unfinished hall presented almost BALI
room aspect with It's gay array of flowers and
palms and garlands OF laurel while the beauti-
full Easter costumes OF the women enhanced the
effect. The stage appropriately furnished in
Marie Antoinette effect and rare Oriental rugs
covered the floor.
Mrs. Donald Mclean, president general or the
society, was met with noisy applause and wav-
ing flags as she marched down the aisle upon
the arm of Hamilton Bayley. president Of the
Sons of the American Revolution. She wore an
exceedingly becoming gown of white cloth, made
In street style a white feather boa and small
hat entirely made up of shaded pink roses.
Donald Mclean and Miss Mclean. husband
and daughter OF the president general. were on
the platform, as were also the pages and officers
OF the society. So happy was the spirit of the
daughters that a round Of applause greeted al
most every sentence of Mrs McLean's address,
whether witty. patriotic or mere matter of fact
The New York State delegation was delight
fully placed not far removed from and to the
right of the stage, where they might hear and
be heard and free from the noise of the outer
corridors.
The invitation from Secretary Bonaparte and
General Horace Porter to go to Annapolis next
week for the ceremonies attendant upon the
burial Of John Paul Jones. which was read to
the society at the opening OF the afternoon
sion, was responded to enthusiastically and
vote of thanks was rendered by the members OF
the society. Several hundred of the delegates
will go.
There a number of early dinner parties
at the various hotels tonight, almost all Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution in the city later
attending the performance at the Belasco.
The congress was opened with prayer by the
chaplain general, Mrs. Teunis S. Hamln, Of this
city. which followed by address of well
come by the president general. Brief responses
made by Mrs A. a. Kendall, of Maine;
Mrs Charles B. Bryan of Tennessee; Mrs. Will
lam ]. Chittenden, of Michigan; Mrs. John A.
Murphy, of Ohio; Mrs L. Bradford Prince, OF
New Mexico; Mrs. John l. Stevens, Of Iowa;
Mrs. John r Walker, of Missouri and Mrs.
Mary Wood Swift, of California
Mrs. Charlotte Emerson Main. chairman of
account Of failure to reply TO the usual circular
containing the instructions relative to the cleo
ton of delegates and alternates to the congress
ten chapters had lost representation and five
delegates. The report further stated that in
the last year the membership of the society had
increased from 1852 to 56,O2S The actual
membership however stated to be 1886,
the discrepancy between those figures and the
number admitted being due TO deaths, resigna-
tions and those dropped for nOn-payment or
dues
The existence of fourishing chapter IN the
City of Mexico also was reported and the rec
ommendation made that the vice-regent or al
ternate have seat on the floor of the congress.
According to the rulings of the committee. 1.129
delegates entitled TO vote in the present con-
gress The Continental Chapter of the District
Of Columbia entertained the visiting daughters.
Mrs. Beach, the regent, made appropriate re-
marks Mrs. Messenger. the CHAPTER historian.
read paper and Miss Ida Hinman, A NJ read
an original poem entitled George Washingtons
Tree" A number Of the regents of other chap
terS made appropriate remarks.
The preliminary meeting Of the National So
eiety OF the Ghl!oren OF the AinerlcaIl c hevoiu
tion was held to-day at which Mrs Daniel
Lothrop, its founder presided. The regular ses
sions will begin Tomorrow.
Continental Hall, thought of and talked of at
the first meeting of the Daughters Of the Ameri-
can Revolution at the Strathmore Arms in 10Th
street, n. w, on October IL. 1890, rises
from its grounds in 18th street, opposite the
White Lot an imposing structure of white mar
BILE, built on purely Colonial lines. 1t stands
upon historic ground having for its neighbor on
the right the once splendid Van Ness mansion,
soon to give way to the George Washington Uni
versity group, and not far removed to the left
the Octagon house, once part of the Tayloe
estate and always historically connected with
the larger affairs of the country. It's near neigh
Dor on the left is the Corcoran Art Gallery. and
its outlook is over the White Lot and private
grounds of the White House. the Monument
grounds and down TO the Potomac.
Before the first twelve months expired after
the idea of the building was conceived, over 5000
had been raised. Each year. little by little the
fund grew, until October II, 1902, the present
site came into the possession Of the Daughters
and the first spadefuI of earth was turned. and
on February % a great flagstaff erected TO
mark the spot The cornerstone for the build
ing was laid on April 19. 1904. with great
mony, q large number of the most prominent
men and women OF the country being present.
The surplus of the receipts of the society has
each year been devoted to the hall fund, and by
the efforts of hundreds of loyal women the
structure to-day stands, while incomplete, an
eloquent testimonial of their good work.
So far the building has cost upward Of $780,
OOO and when completed will perhaps reach a
figure approximating 100000. At the present
date there is about $4,000 in hand for work on
the hall. and it is probable that at this weeks
congress the figure will be raised in a surprising
manner. Daughters are coming from all over
the country. bearing special funds for the Me-
mortal Continental Hall.
The exterior IS of white marble. with broad
marble steps serving as an approach and large
marble pillars will flank the entrance on the
south the memorial portico of thirteen monu-
mental marble monoliths, emblematical of the
thirteen original Colonies. will furnish an i'm
pressve feature Of the building.
Almost the entire first floor of the hall is given
over to the auditor ium which is both spacious
and imposing and yet so well arranged that
enough space Is left surrounding IT to provide
room for the memorial museum and library
Folding doors lead into the auditorium making
it possible II necessary TO convert all three
rooms into one.
The walls Of the auditorium are entirely COW
cred with n rich color of green beige, while a
canopy of white. gathered in at the centre COM
pIeteS the roof effect. There is seating capac-
ity Of sixteen hundred. and the chairs are the
ones which will be permanently used. They
strong and artistic with frames OF iron and