The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-05-01

bows before this truth. HOW are our
laws framed in congress? In secret
sessions of powerful committees. How
are they passed when brought before,
the representatives Of the people? By
the whip Of selfish interests; by work
Ing upon the timidities and fears OF
those who see the truth, and feebly
wish to serve it. but are hopeless OF
the cooperation which alone could
ensure success, and who. therefore.
compromise. and yield to the supposed
necessity Of choice of evils.
'It Is the same everywhere. in ma
ton. state. city, school, church and
mothers .clu5. Many have sat silent
and chatting under it in this board, for
the same 4re1sons as are influencing
members of congress, who would like
to serve the whole people, but dare
not. And now. placed in a position
of power in this body. ! feel that
have miserably failed to do my high
est duty in pressing to a conclusion
the revision CT the constitutional
allowing II to be tabled and postponed
at the urgency of those who did not
see this thing in its true light. There
is only this to say In my defense: /
have acted rs nearly as possible in
the spirit Of 'watchful waiting for
which President Wilson has been so
ridiculed by the uncomprehending.
II have not wished to force issues,
or take away even the apparent free
dom of any member of this board. for
I have known that at heart it's sentf-
ment Is sound and its common sense
dependable. and that in the end 1t
would do the right thing This is
proven by the minutes Of March, 1918,
when. for the first time in years. the
board asserted itself and instructed
the nominating committee to bring in.
as far as possible, two candidates for
every major c'Tice. IT is proven by
the vote of the committee for the
revision OF the constitution which met
in this room March IS. which voted
for the clause defining the duties of
the nominating committee. and max
ing them to the same effect as the
instructions of last year
But this year ] have over-con-
fdently failed to insure the proper in
structions, and in suppresssng in the
committee the nomination of Mrs. l..
b. Stratton for the office of first vice.
president. the committee has over
stepped its duties, and sought to steer
the election, according To the ideas of
minority composing it, instead of
according tn .llt known sentiments Of
the board. IN so doing. they have
violated. not the letter, but the spirit
Of orr constitution and am glad that
have not been formally approached
for my answer as to the honor tender
cd me. for it has left me free to re-
serve Tor this psychological moment
my irrevoc2 bic declination of the
nomination. This entities me to re-
tain The chair, ard | shall proceed to
ask for nominations from the floor"
The teliars announced the election
OF Mrs. Il. 7. Hudson b. the necessary
two-thirds ma jority. Other 1eeifra-
tons TO stand, recessitated the revis
ION OF the slate, so that the following
officers were elected: First vice-presi-
dent. Mrs. ]. r. Craig, Ir.; second vice
president, Mrs. Ida Klein; third vice.
president, Mrs ]. Sterling Taylor;
fourth el,se-s4rss!aen.--k rs-Jas.-ei4
Loving: fifth vice president. Mrs. Geo.
Lamb; treasurer. Mrs. Geo. Doane:
recording secrtary. Mrs. J. J. Phillips;
assistant recording secretary. Mrs.
Bernard F. Wells: corresponding sec
Rotary. Mrs. John F. Singleton. assis-
tant recording secretary. Mrs. Chas.
Gasser. Jr.: historian. Mrs. II. L.
Whitiock: associate historian. Mrs
William Gemniell; librarian, Mrs. Geo
Browning.
Upon taking the chair the new
president, Mrs r. f. Hudson. after
thanking the board In a feeling man.
ner for the honor bestowed upon her.
proceeded to call a meeting for COM
pletions OF The tag day program. on
Monday. May s. after which the meet
Ing adjourned.