The Washington bee., 1909-01-02
G u 0 of OF
CONTINUED from pape ~

perhaps Idt more important bearing
on the future standing of our House
holds, and that in the not very dis
tant future be brought about by the
action of the Atlantic City Grand
| Household Convention in placing 4
woman at its head.
May it not mean that the time is
near at hand when this influential
| Department of the Order - the
| Households of Ruth is to have rep
resentation on the Subcommittee of
| Management by one of its own mem
bers, so that its interests there NAV
be properly safeguarded and protect
ed III the Executive and Judicial De
partment, because this being the rec
ognized Female Branch (and to
which in my opinion none but women
should be permitted to enter) why
should not the justly merited honor
of representing the three thousand
Households composing this infuen-
Itial and extensive Department of our
iOrder be given to a woman, so that
here in our court of last resort, and
the only body to which this Branch
is amenable, a wOmans' voice may be
heard, a womanS influence be felt,
and a woman's counsel become avail
able in the correct Interpretation and
enforcement of the laws enacted for
their government.
And should this come to pass, I
mean the placing of a woman on the
IS. c. of NJ, who is better equipped
for the position than the distinguished
lady to whom this splendid testimou-
ial is given-the honored guest of this
occasion-Mary Alice Parker.
| remarked a moment ago that IN
my judgment our Households should
be composed exclusively of female
members of the Order: that the male
members should not be allowed mem
bership in them or be permitted to
actively participate in their proceed
ings; and though recognizing the i'm
propriety of entering at this time and
on an occasion of this character upon
any extended discussion as to the ad-
visibility or wisdom of such a meas
ure, yet | may be permitted TO call
attention to the fact that there is a
widespread and rapidly increasing
sentiment in favor OF the adoption of
such a measure. And it may be
that a proposition therefore will be
presented and enacted into law at the
next B, NJ, c., to be held in Balti-
more two years hence
But ladies and gentlemen I must
not detain you longer. there are 9th
ers to address YOU and no doubt you
are anxiously awaiting to hear them.
And now, Mrs. Parker, at the bid
ding of the ladies and inmates of the
several Households having in charge
this entertainment, and who have 50
unsel6shly and diligently labored TO
make it in every way a fitting tribute
of their affectionate regard for you
as their sister and cO-wOrker in the
fraternal bonds of Friendship, Love
and Truth" and intended as an ex-
preston of their loving esteem for
one with whom they had so long been
| associated in the development Of the
principles of our Order, and whose
deserved elevation to the highest po-
sition ever occupied by a woman, they
desired to give suitable recognition,
| have iii so far as words of mine
could do so performed the duty I'M
posed upon me.
If | have failed in any respect il
must be remembered that upright
ness of intention may not always be
attended by highly gifted intelligence,
and | shall therefore confidently rely
upon their kindness of feeling and
your generous disposition to overlook
any and all deficiencies on my part
/ in my earnest endeavor to carry out
their wishes.
These ladies in thus honoring you,
Mrs. Parker. have honored them
selves. they have brought honor to
the entire Order throughout this Ju-
risdiction. And in selecting me as
the unworthy instrument through
whom should be voiced their feelings,
Ithey have conferred upon me an hon
or for which no words could employ
would in the slightest degree ade-
| Iouatelv or Gtungiy express my thanks