The Detroit times., 1908-10-07
WOMEN DELEGATES
COME TO BLOWS
IN CONVENTION
WILD SCENES OF DISORDER IN
SESSION OF CATHOLIC FOR
EsrERs FOLLOW REPORT ON
CASE OF DIXON COURT.

Scenes OF disorder which suggest
ed the tumultuous session OF last Fri
day took place In the convention OF
the Women's Catholic Order OF For
esters, Wednesday morning, when the
report of the committee on appeals
came ND for discussion. The morn
ing session nnally broke up with
more or less turmoil after q demand
Tor a roll-caii nau Deen made.
The strain OF a week OF hard cam
paiyninR has told ON the delegates
and there was bitter language ex'
changed between the members OF the
Rittman and Rodgers factions and
even blows were struck.
After the convention had adjourn
ed "a number Of women remained 10
listen to FIR. Foley, who spoke In op-
position to the committee report.
Both sides claimed victory In the
contest but the roll-call TO be had
during the afternoon will show def
iuitely which side has the votes.
The appeal under discussion was
that OF the Dixon, H., court, which
supported Mrs. Mary Kenney, after
she had lost her place as editor of
the orders paper. II was alleged
that High Chief Ranger Rodgers was
invited To Dixon and -inSulted after
coming there, and also that FIR. Foley
criticized her strongly from the altar
In Al sermon during her stay.
II was recommended by the com.
mittee, headed by Mrs. Timmons, OF
Detroit. that all the members of the
expelled court be reinstated except
Airs. Clark. the chief ranger, and Mrs.
O'Keefe. the recording secretary. One
hour and twenty minutes was taken
up in presenting the testimony TO the
convention, but there was continual
comment. interruption and moving
about which made il impossible for
many to hear.
Roll Call Demanded.
Tessie Murphy, of Chicago, moved
an amendment that all the members
OF the court be reinstated. and this
was declared lost on viva voce vote
and the committees report was de-
clared adopted In the same manner
There was loud and indignant protest
and a roll-call was demanded. In
steal OF one being had. however. adj
iournment was taken.
The charge made against Mrs.
Clark and Mrs. O'Keefe was that OF
using the lodge seal without authority
In sending out a statement uphoidhg
Mrs Ksnnsy- II Was provided, how
ever, that they might be reinstated
by apologixing.
This provision gave FIR Foley his
text and he arose on the platform at
the close Of the session and addressed
the hundreds of women with forceful
words. He argued that the two wum-
EN- had done right and should not
apologize. Some OF the delegates
cheered him. while others made aud
ible comments that were distinctly
unfriendly.
IL did not hear the defense. You
don't want us to hear that" declared
one woman 10 an adherent OF Mrs.
Rodgers.
You did not want to hear Il. Why
didn't you stay in your seat?" was
the retort.
I'VE are not brainless creatures
sent here TO vote as We are told,
shouted one OF the Rittman faction.
You ere brainless all right" came
back the reply from another woman.
There was considerable trouble at
the doors. the sentries refusing 10 ad-
NIT anyone to the hall except dele
gates and priests, even after the con-
vention adjourned. Mrs. Julia Friese,
the chief sentinel. ordered number
Of people out of the hall after The ses.
sion was through.
Women In Fist Fight.
One little woman In black tried to
enter AMI was showed back rather
roughly She came back with her
fists doubled and there was very
exciting minute before her daughters
and friends OF the sentinel had sep
arated them.
Who are you and where lid you
come from shrilled the woman who
was barred out. mo one can stick
their hands In my face that way Let
me get at her"
Accuse Priests Of Lobbying.
Supporters OF Mrs. Rodgers are very
sore at the position taken by most OF
the clergy present. They allege that
the priests are lobbying for Mrs. RIFT
man.
Its a women's fight, not a mans
fight" declared one OF the Rodgers
faction leaders. These priests have
right to say that they favor
change In the order, but when they
use the name of Mrs. Rlttman or any
other woman, then IL become Jus. a
case OF politics.
Mrs. Rodgers makes no reply TO
statement issued by FIR. O'Callaghan.
Of Chicago, and FIR. Dolphin. OF Mime
apolis, In which they reassert that IL
was by the Rodgers factions direction
that they we're barred from the hall.
The matter OF veracity is brought to
a direct Issue, 1t being charged that
this exclusion policy was considered
\ as long ego as last May.
The, two priests say that the dissat.
isfaction caused by tyrannical and
partisan methods OF the officers has
been such that hundreds OF priests
are convinced that nothing but
change OF administration will save The
order.
Henry c. 0olisnd WEEDS.