The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-04-17
HARMONY DOES
NOT NOW EXIST
DAUGHTERS OF REVOLUTION
ARE AS FRANTIC AS THEIR
FOREFATHERS.

nom all over lHe ldlu, l'PiVS'h''''s
the LOO chapters of G6O7I members
of the National Society, Daughters
OF the American Revolution, are in
Washington today for the opening
of the twentieth continental congress
of the order. Harmony is n word that
has no existence in the vocabulary OF
the daughters who are divided into
warning camps. "Autocracy" is the
battle cry of the insurgents, who de-
clare that as their forefathers fought
for independence and the American
constitution, so will they do battle
for the preservation of the sacred
constitution of their order.
Mrs. William Cummings Story Is
the insurgent candidate for president
general against the present incum-
bent, Mrs. Matthews T. Scott, who
Is seeking reelection. The Story
supporters assert that If Mrs. Scott is
again chosen as president general,
and proposed amendment to the
constitution goes through, on that day
liberty will perish and the Daughters
of the American Revolution become
name for an oligarchy worse than
that the British sought to fasten upon
the colonsts.
The Objectionable amendment pro-
vides that all general officers, except
the president, shall be excluded from
the executive committee, which man
ages the business of the society be-
tween congresses. This is interpreted
bv the insurgents as meaning that the
president general would become
dictator more powerful than Daz,
with all power concentrated in her
hands.
Another amendment which is likely
tn be adopted relates to states rights,
and permits the election of state re-
gents and the transaction of other
necessary business at state conven-
tions instead of in Washington. The
states rights theory has been bitterly
fought by the party in power but the
movement has grown to such an eX-
tent that opposition seems no longer
eXpedient.
As for Mrs. Scott-who is called by
her enemies the Joe Cannon of the
d. A. R."-she dismisses all the
charges against her as mere campaign
flubdud, animated only by the hatred
of the outs for the "ins.' She dis
claims any intention of becoming a
dictator if re elected. Mrs. Scott will
hold reception for the delegates and
the Sons of the Revolution this eve
ming, but the insurgents" will likely
stay away Later in the week Presi-
dent and Mrs. Taft will receive the
visitors at the white house.
The Daughters OF the American
Revolution was founded in 1890, and
Mrs. Benjamin Harrison. wife of the
then president of the United States,
was the first president general.
There are chapters in every state and
territory of the union, and in Japan,
Paris. South Africa. the Philippines,
Porto Rico, Cuba, Mexico, England,
Egypt. Spain and Alaska.
The national headquarters are in
Memorial Continental hall, erected
wholly through the efforts of the wo-
men members. The edifice is one Of
the most beautiful in Washington,
built of American marble, and finish
ed during the last year. \ striking
feature is the memorial portico of
thirteen fluted monoliths erected by
the thirteen original states at cos
of $4,000, The completion of the
hall on borrowed money, which was
done during the administration of
Mrs. Donald Mclean. was bitterly op-
posed. and this is being used today
as another argument against placing
still greater power in the hands of
the president general.
The daughters will make plans for
a continuation of the patriotic work
which their organization has underta-
ken. Graves of revolutionary heroes
throughout the land have been sought
ont and marked with monuments. and
many historic landmarks have been
restored. As the result Of a campaign
directed by the society nearly all of
the states have passed laws punish
ing desecration of the flag. The So
ciety now proposes to teach patriot
ism in the schools by offering prizes
for essays on patriotic themes.
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