New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-11
Fair Democratic Club EleC-
ton Held During
Wordy Snarl.
WOMEN CHARGE PLOTS
AND COUNTER PLOTS
Mrs. Lau's Ticket Defeated and
Routed - Wink Causes,
Much Strife.

After a wrangle which lasted from 2
o'clock until 7:So o'clock at the Hotel
Astor yesterday a wrangle in which per-
Qualities we're freely exchanged and
evsry one Of the l5 women present found
=, necessary 10 get UP and state more
than once that she was a lady. Mrs. John
sberwin Crosby was reelected president
NJ the Womens Democratic Club which
she founded eleven years ago and has
headed ever since. Mrs. Crosby got So
votes. Mrs. Robins A. Lau, who ran
against her, polling only So.
The fight broke early. when Mrs. A.
Emil Skoog. who read tho rollcall, failed
10 include the names of Mrs. T. p. Phil
lips, Miss Dorothy Johnson and Mrs. A.
Perry. These members came in at the last
meeting Of the club. fortnight ago, and
Mrs. Crosby's adherents accused Mrs. Lau
o. bringing them in to strengthen her
vote.
About twenty other names were pro-
posed AT that meeting. but they didn't
succeed IN paying their dues. Mrs. Phil
lips, Miss Johnson and Mrs. Perry did,
ard strong in the knowledge that that en-
titled her to vote, Mrs. Phillips brought
her husband, who is a lawyer. to the
Hotel Astor yesterday and stationed him
outside the room where the club met
that he might take the matter instantly
10 the courts IL her vote was challenged.
why was not my name included in the
rollcall?" demanded Mrs. Phillips.
Because YOU were not properly pro-
posed for membership" returned Mrs.
Crosby from the chair.
Pademonium started at this and ragged
until Mrs Crosby announced that she
would appoint three patrolmep and see if
they couldn't keep order. Mrs. Allen
Caruthers. Miss Mary Hart and Mrs.
Olive c Field were instructed TO act in
Tat capacity
Mrs. Harrison Grey Lamson then got up
and begged the club members 70 remem-
Der that il was Good Friday
Voting was az last begun. the three dis
puted members being allowed to cast their
ballots, 10 the relief OF Lawyer Phillips
who wanted 10 GO home. There was an
animated row over the question of watch
ers at the counting Of the ballots. Mrs.
Crosby appointed Mrs. Harry Campton
chairman of tellers and Mrs. +. r Ran
ger and Mrs. Cornelius Sullivan TO help
her count
The tellsrs are two against one for
you" cried Mrs I.au to Mrs. Crosby.
"oh. very well. If YOU doubt my hon
esty," exclaimed Mrs. Crosby; and she
sent Mrs. e. X. Mcclellan and Miss NJ. c.
GaTney out TO watch the counting.
II was at this critical and unfortunate
point that somebody winked. Opinions
differed as to who it was. but the facts
are these: Mrs. Harry Hastings. who is
president OF the Good Government Club,
and Mrs. William b. Smith, who is presi-
dent OF the Harmony Club, were right
in MrGs Crosbys line of vision when
Mrs CSsby. looking straight ahead. said:
The lady am looking at is club
president herself, and ought TO know that
It is not in good taste to wink and nod
and shrug.
Mrs Hastings popped up. do you
mean me-" she asked.
Mrs Smith popped up. do you mean
me. Madam President" she echoed
All over the room other women popped
VI. and said they were presidents Of clubs
and was Mrs. Crosby referring to them.
Just then the tellers returned TO an
nounce the result Of the election, and