THE COURIER.
3
-
-
nsurgents charged them from the top
of the hill and drove thorn back to the
top of the hill beyond. The Colonel
had eent me over to And out the posi
tion of company "L" and I arrived over
the top of the hill from the other side
at the same time they did. Seeing this
condition I went back for reinforce
ments and met them coming up, and
we joined company "L" and after about
halt an hour's fighting succeeded in
routing them.
Our men afterwards buried seventeen
Filipinos who were killed in that skir
mish. We lo6t one man who belonged
to company "B." He was killed near
me. Prof. Kuhn of company "L' was
wounded here. Meanwhile the rest of
the line was advancing on the water
works which we took that evening with
out any trouble. We are now encamped
on a hill near the water works over
looking a large valley with the moun
taina on the other side and a large lake
between the valley to the right. I
think it is called the Bahia lake. The
Pa sig flows from it. We have made
several excursions across this valley but
have found no enemies as they have
left for the mountains.
Yesterday I took ten men and skir
mished clear across the valley into the
foot hills. It was about seven miles
acros9. This valley reminds me of the
Oak creek farm on a much larger scale.
It is equally level.
Now I have simply told you what I
saw of the fight. All of the other
regiments have had fighting enough to
do. The honor of starting the fight
rests with the First Nebraska and
after the fight was started we had our
poition of the enemy cleaned out before
any of the other regiments. We have
lost seven men killed and about fifteen
wounded. The Nebraskas have made
a great reputation for themselves among
the other regiments here and also with
the authorities.
Your Obedient Son,
Burt D. Whkdon.
This graphic description of the posi
tion of the Filipinos and the American
forces and the causes and circumstances
which led to the fighting they are btill
engaged in, was written three days be.
fore the battle, in which Lieutenant
Whedon was severely wounded. A
cheerful letter describing the wound in
the thigh and the favorable conditions
by which he is surrounded has been re
ceived by Mrs. Whedon and printed in
one of the daily papers, to the great re
lief of the many fi lends of this
thoroughly manly young fellow. Ed.
IMMIMMMMIIIMMIIIIIIIIIIMUMI
EASTER, 1899.
From out the brown and ugly earth
Tall lilies bunt indaMling Wrtn
And after night, so dark and long
Comes day, so full of light and so
Behold the dawn
1 ne night is gonel
song,
From out the grim and silent tomb
Surrounded with its depths ot gloom,
The soul, like some white lily cup,
In fadeless beauty groweth up
Behold it there
So tall and fair!
There is no death we must not weep
The seed lies in the earth asleep,
'Twill wake, and star the jleaming sod
Within the garden of our God,
When bursts the dawn
This night upon!
William Reed Dunroy.
Mrs. Brlggs-Don't you think you
ought to' practice eelt denial during lent,
dear?
Briggs What for? You don't ex
pect to get more than one Easter hat,
do you?
"What are you going to do with your
ark when it's finished?" queried one of
Noah's neighbors, who suspected that
the good man had "batB," to use the
language ot the period.
"Oh, I'm going to save it for a rainy
day," knowingly replied Noah, who
could already see his questioner's finish.
LHBS-
LOUISA h RIOKKTT8.
Ohio is entitled to the honor of giving
birth to a new political party at a club
woman's convention held at her etato
capitol recently. The convention was
national in character and the now party
then organized, claims that as the press
ing need of its existence is "reform,'' it
shall be known in history as the reform
party. It whb a dolegnted body com
posed of the most distinguished women,
of thiB country, says tho Ohio Stato
Journal. Mrs. W. J. Bjyan, Mrs. Mark
Hanna, Belva Lockwood, Mary Ellen
Lease, Mrs. Grover Cleveland, Mrs. Pot
ter Palmer, Clara Barton, Jenness Mil
'or, Helen Gould, Mrs. James Garfield,
Mrs. U.S. Grant, Mrs. A. J. Sawyer,
Mrs. Fuller, Mrs. Rebecca D. Lowe,
Mrs. Sarah Piatt, Margaret Hamilton
Welch, and man other noted women
were, present. The parliamentary pro
cedure; the grasp of the presiding ofll
cer, shows what club drill is doing for
the women of thiB country.
Mrs. Levi P. Morton ot New York
called the convention to order. Mrs. A.
W. Field sat at her right hand to assist
in parliamentary decisions. Marion
Harland took her place hb secretary and
called the roll of delegates, there being
378 present.
Mrs. John Jacob Astor was appointed
time keeper as the speeches were to be
limited to two minutes.
Maud Ballington Booth and Ella
Wheeler Wilcox were appointed ser-geants-at-arms,
and Masters Foraker
Foraker and Robert Grant pages.
The committee on credentials were
Jennie June, Mrs. Bishop Vincent and
Mrs. Russel Sage.
Lady henry Somerset was introduced
by the chairman as a distinguished vis
itor from Eogland, who was escorted to
the platform by both sergeants-at-armB,
followed by the two pages and her maid,
Perkins, who took her ladyship's fur
mantel as she ascended the stage. "I
have always had the greatest respect for
the independence of American women,"
said Lady Somerset. "I have been ac
cused of trying to Americanize my own
country. I feel great sorrow for the
loss of my co-worker, Francis Willard,
but I know her successors here will
carry on the work until the white rib
bon waves over the whole country.
Thanking you for your kind attention I
trust you will forgive the inadequacy of
these words, as I have hardly recovered
from my recent illness. "
Mrs. Buehnell welcomed the conven
tion in the following words:
"I have great pleasure in welcoming
the representatives of other states to
Ohio, and trust they will have time to
view the attractions of Columbus. Our
Auditorium on tho north side is a most
peculiar style of architecture, at once
simple and convenient; our city hall
bears upon its face the dust of many
ages, and our statehouse is universally
admired, though1 it might cot have been
deformed on its east side if we had had
a Woman's Reform club. Once more I
offer a hearty welcome to our visitors.)'
Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt voiced the
gratitude of the visiting delegates, say
ing they were only too glad of this op
portunity of vieiting the famous state of
Ohio.
Mrs. Potter -Palmer was then intro
duced as the noted parliamentarian who
presided at the women's congress at the
world's fair. She spoke as follows:
"With no small degree ot pleasure I
acknowledge the honor of speaking be
tore this audience.
"The past achievements of women at
the world's fair should encourage them
to still further efforts. On the dome of
the capitol at Washington stands the
figure of a woman . She is supported by
tho shield of assuranco, she leans on the
sword of bravery, her head is in tbo
clouds, but her feet aro planted firmly
on the earth. This is symbolic of wom
an's position in the world. Sho has but
to nsk and evorj thing will bo given hen
even presidential honors.
At this point a telegram from Mrs.
Honrotin was read which said; "My
dressmaker has disappointed mo, I can
not come."
Mrs. Rockefeller read tbo treasurer's
report which showed a flourishing finan
cial condition. Sho also reported numer
ous donation, such as 1,000 jars cold
cream from J. H. Harloy & Son, of Lin
coln, Nebr., 50 silver backed pocket
mirrors from Miller fc Paine, same city,
ten dozen fans from Marshall, Field &,
Co., Chicago, etc.
Mrs John Sherman, auditor, certified
that the treasurer's report was correct.
Mrs. Samantha Allen of Jonesvllle
then ascended the platform. "Women
of the convention," she said, "when I
heard toll of this meetin' I says to
Josiab, 'I'm agoin'.' Men are balky
critters and married women will agree
that there are timeB when a mule is an
obligin' critter compared to a man, so it
took considerable science to get around
Josiah'fl objections. But a good dinner
prevailed and hero 1 am. (At this point
Samantha emptied the contents of her
carpet bBg until she found an enormouB
roll of paper.)
"Women of the convention," she con"
tinued, "I have fetohod this petition
from JoneBville: Whereas, We view with
regret the unsettled condition of the
country, and the time has come for
women to put their a'loulder blades to
the wheel; whereas, we demand the bal
lot, that we may purify politics; we
earnestly petition this honorable body
to amend the constitution that women
may have equal rights with men.
Signed-Submit Meekly, Betsy Bob
bett, Josiab. Allen, Josiah Allen's wife
and others.
"What is the pleasuje ot the conven.
tion regarding this petition?" the chair
man aked.
"I mov6 that it be sent to congrees,'
said Mrs. John Logan.
Do I hear a second. Any remarks?
"1 rise to a question of privilege,"
said Mrs. B. M. Stoutenbor.ugb, of Ne
braska, ''I would ask that the windows
be opened on account of the heat."
Samantha Allen was finally appointed
to present the petition to congress.
Mrs. S. W. Lang worthy, president of
N. F. W. C, presented a plan which pro
vided for the building of a national club
house at the national capitul not to ex
ceed 9100,000.
"Discussion will now be in order," re
marked the chairman.
"I move to amend the discussion by
interpolating the words 'of stone,' ' said
Mrs. W. J. Bryan.
Mrs. John A. Logan I move to amend
by substituting the words 'pressed
brick.
Mrs. Rockefeller I move the addition
of the words 'twenty stories high.'
Mrs. Cleveland I object to the last
amendment. Women get dizzy going up
and down in elevators."
Mary Ellen Lease Madam Chairman,
the women of this convention never get
dizzy.
The Chair The motion before the
house is to amend by inserting the
words "twenty stories high."
Mrs. Cleveland I appeal from the
chair. There are three amerdments be
fore this one.
The Chair The point 1b not well
taken. However, the objection was sus
tained. Lady Somerset Would it not be best
to decide on the location ot the building
first?
Mrs. Potter Palmer I will contribute
945,000 if the building is erected in Chicago.
Samantha Allon It it's put up in
Joncsvillo I'll glvo as much as 25 cents,
and I know plenty ot others that will.
After long discussion the vote rosultcd
in favor of Chicago.
Mrs. Mark Hanna hero askod privilege?
of roading a letter from President Mc
Kinley asking tho convention to entlorro
tho war measures of tho republican
party.
The Chair Do I understand that is a
motion?
Mrs, Hanna I move that wo indotso
tbo republican party.
Mrs. Clovoland I move to amend by
substituting democratic for republican.
Mary Ellen Loaso I movo to ambnd
by substituting populist.
Someone moved to substituto prohibi
tion and in tho confusion that followed
the gavel played a piorainent part.
Mrs. Tom Reed then said I havo here
a telegram from Queen Lil, begging that
Grover Cleveland be put on the board
of commissioners to Hawaii. See
how history repeats itself. Centuries
ago Pocahontas sought Captain John
Smith, and now another dusky princess
begs for her ideal while man.
Samantha Allen I object to leaving
Frances to bring up hor young and
growing family unaided.
Mrs. Draper Smith of Omaha moved
that his family bo sent with him. Mo
tion lost.
Mrs. Cleveland moved that all presi
dents of the United States from March
4, '00, should receive $25,000 annually,
also a contingent fund of $100,01 0 be
established for use of presidents for
flsbiTg trips, etc.
ThiB resolution was lost without much
debate.
Mrs. W. J. Bryan, chairman of the
committee on resolutions, read her re
port. One of the resolutions was in
favor of free and unlimited "coinage of
silver."
Mrs. Mark Hanna I present the
minority report in favor of single gold
standard, and movo that every one vot
ing in its favor receive a $5 gold piece.
Mrs. Bryan Is that not bribery?
Mrs. Hanna (with dignity) Certainly
not, merely a souvenir.
A resolution concerning a curfew law
for all men under 00 was voted down,
thereby showing the broad minded
views of the convention.
A resolution concerning "fathers
meetings," where fathers might learn
how to care for the little ones while the
mothers were attending club meetings
was rather fiebly endorsee.
Probably the most important resolu
tion was in favor of a woman for the
next president of the United States.
Mary Ellen Lease and Belva Lockwood,
were spoken of as such candidates. They
were called out for a speech and aBked
to set forth their policies. Mrs. Lease
spoke as follows:
"Ladles, Madam Chairman-I hope,
fear and tremble: I hope you will norai'
nate me for president, but I fear that
the beauty and personal magnetism of
my rival will defeat me. But this coun
try needs a statesman with wide views
and I will fill the bill. Any lady need'
ing a little money before the election
can meet me directly after the convec
tion. If lam elected every one of you
shall have an oftice. I indorse temper
ance reform, but at the same time wish
to consider the sick and the thirsty.
"Every woman shall have a street car
in which to spread herself.
"Speaking of spreading reminds me of
expansion, of which I am in favor, and
that brings me to the Philippines. I
would suggest that Congressman Lentz'a
opinions be substituted for the much
discussed canned beef. They are war
ranted to keep fresh in any climate "
(Laughter.)
At the close of Mrs. Lease's remarks
Belva Lockwood took the floor:
"I promise if I am elected to rescue
the country from the financial mire in
