The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-26

ercises. A beautiful tribute was rendered by Mrs. Irving to the memory of Mrs
 Sarah E. Gabbett so long custodian of
 the Crosses of Honor. Mrs. Young of
 Tennessee eulogized the life work of the lamented Gen. George W. G. Gordon, commander in chief of the Confederate Veterans. Mrs. Clifford A. Lanier of Montgomery gave an eloquent memorial
 of the short, but beautiful life of Mrs. Edgar James of Florence, Ala, the de- signer of our Confederate Christmas seal. The long list of the departed of each
 state told the sorrowful story that our
 real women of the Confederacy are fast leaving us. Are We preparing ourselves and our children to take their places?
 This is a question for each state to an-
 swer for itself.
 The flag presentation was especially
 inspiring this year, since so many states
 were represented. Mrs. Frank Antony
 Wake of Virginia, custodian of flags and pennants, Is herself a charming and pic.
 turesque figure, and as each state pres
 ident walked down the aisle bearing
 aloft her emblem mid enthusiastic cheers,
 Mrs. Wake, in a charming manner, pre- scented them to Mrs. Randolph, president
 of Hostess chapter. The president of the
 Alabama division presented two flags this year, the Alabama state flag, and
 the Alabama Birthday Centennial flag, designed by Mrs. Idyell King Sorsby in 1919. California also presented two flags, the state flag and one of the Panama ex- position, inscribed san Francisco, 1915'
 The hard worked committee on creden- tials announced through their chairman, Mrs. Blennen, that the voting strength of the convention was 1910. including of ficers and state presidents. Many felt that their delegations should have more votes, but no contentious of this nature was made from the floor. each state going quietly to the committee. It was found that though many chapters had paid their dues, they had neglected to send in their written credentials five days before the convention as required, hence did not have the representation they eX pected Although the Alabama vote was not as large as I hoped, I was indeed proud of our delegation, and the treas urer general told me that the per capita tax had been peter paid than ever be- fore. We had the largest number of del egates we have ever had, except of course, when we had the honor of enter taiing the convention in Montgomery. In point of intellect, ability and all the graces of womanhood, Alabama's dele gation was the peer of the greatest.
 The first fight on the floor was caused by an attempt to have written ballot when there was more than one nomina- tion. This was strenuously opposed by
 
 bama president, and few others, who desired an open vote by roll call of states, which last plan I am glad to say | was adopted. The afternoon session was largely attended to hear the report of | the president general, Mrs. Virginia | Falkner McShery. who has steered the aEh in such a manner that she | has won the love of this large body | and the admiration and esteem of all | sections Her report covered. as she ex- pressed it, "her two happy years at the | head of this grandest of woman's organ izations," whose membership is over so, 000 Among her decisions were the following: That no state president can reside outside her state that chapter receiving a member from another chap ter should require demit; member of one chapter desiring to join another chapter should ask for a demit, though her name may still be retained on the roll of that chapter, if desired, as past or honorary member without vote or dues. One of the most important re- forms she suggested was that the asso- citation allow the president general an expense fund (to be paid from the treas u-y upon proper vouchers) sufficient to enable the encumbent of the office to meet the expenses necessarily incurred in the proper discharge of the duties of her office, and that such provision would prevent capable women from de- ciining the highest office on account of the inevitable expense attached. Of Ell sons History she said: No amends can be made by the author. Let our students realize that the same south is standing for the same principles, cherishing the same sacred memory, having no regrets, making no apologies, but at the same time respecting the opinions of others, and yielding to none in loyalty to united country.
 Mrs Roy Mckinney, the recording sec retary general, received unstinted praise for the splendid discharge of the duties | of her difficult office. She reported 70 | new charters granted during the year. The report of the corresponding secre- | tary was read by Mrs. Katie Childress Schamebel, the darling of every con vention.
 The Arlington Monument consumed the greater part of Thursday afternoon, and | on the rostrum and in the audience were | such distinguished personages as Mrs Thomas J. Jackson. Mrs. J. F. B. Stuart | Mrs. Frederick Brauer, sister of Sir | Moses Ezekiel Capt. Sallie Tompkins | the only woman officer of the Confed- | crate States army; Col. Hilary A. Her bert, chairman of the Arlington Monu- 1 ment association and MT. Walter Streat- ei. treasurer Before the colonel began his address Mrs. J. E. Edwards, stand | ing by the side of Mrs I, E. B. Stuart, sang Dixie" The song, the hour, the place, were too much for the suppressed feelings of that body of women, and the convention went wild with enthusiasm, displayed in the waving of flags and pen nants amid ringing cheers. It was never to be forgotten moment. Old sol diers crowding the back of the hall and galleries, wept and all eyes were dim with emotion. Colonel Herbert. one of the last of our most distinguished Con- federates. gave a short history of and made a masterful plea for the early com pletion of the Arlington monument. He said that Sir Moses Ezekiel was working night and day in his studio in Rome. Italy, to make this memorial to every southern soldier his masterpiece. From all accounts it will be the most beautiful, and appropriate monument ever erected in this country. Mrs. Cornelia Branch Stone, chairman of the committee on de- sign. stated that in response to the re- quest of the sculptor the seals of the IA Confederate states, including Maryland. l,. .,. T ro1