joy. What better way, methinks, can I celebrate the blessed yuletide than by sending a Christmas message to the Sisters of the Auxiliary through the columns of the CONDUCTOR? While this is a season of mirth and gaiety, it is also the time of reckoning. We can now, after the rush of the Christmas festival is over, make an inventory and see how much we have on the credit side. And Sisters, while we rejoice this evening that we have our health and strength, comfortable homes, kind husbands and dutiful children, there are many whose hearts are bleeding and torn as they watch the yule log burning. Don't let us forget, Sisters, that kind words and pleasant greetings cost but little, and oh, the world of good that we may do by giving them. What a beautiful custom this is of celebrating Christmas by exchanging greetings and gifts to one another. How much joy it brings and how it wipes out sadness from so many. Division 98, L. A., inaugurated a pretty custom this year by sending flowers to its widowed members and to those who were confined to their homes by sickness. We had a most enthusiastic meeting Wednesday and made arrangements for our annual public installation of officers, to take place Saturday evening, January 7. After the installation, refreshments are to be served from small tables seating groups of 4 and 6, and a program of speeches, recitations, toasts and music appropriate for the occasion will be rendered. Sister Hauser, on behalf of the Division, presented to Sister McGiven, in a few well chosen words, a half dozen soup spoons. Sister McGiven responded to the presentation most feelingly. One of the members suggested that as the new year would soon be ushered in that each one of the members should do all in their power to urge Sisters to take out the insurance, and should use their influence in getting new members.

We are glad to greet Sister Ragon of Division 62, L. A., in Wisconsin, and hope that she will soon find many warm friends in the Auxiliary in St. Paul. We are also trying to find where Sister Strawhorn is located. We extend a cordial invitation to these Sisters to attend the meetings of the Auxiliary held the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at Bawlby hall, 6th and Robert streets.

We were grieved to hear that Sister Mallay had been confined to her home for six weeks with an attack of blood poison caused from running a needle into her foot, and to note also that Sister Morrison was confined to her home as a result of a broken arm. We expect both members out at our next meeting, Division 98 was glad to welcome Sister Devaney, who formerly lived at Henderson, Minn. We hope Sister Devaney will take out a policy from our subagent soon and many of the Sisters will follow suit. We congratulate Division 40 in selecting Brother Hauser as correspondent. We know we shall hear occasionally from them. We all liked Brother Manley but his letters were so few and far between.

We have invited the members of Division 40 and their wives to our installation. We have also accepted an invitation from Division 101,

L. A., held at Masonic Temple, in Minneapolis January 7. On that same date, we understand, Sister Moore is to organize a new Division at Waterloo, Ia. The question arises, how can we be at two places in one day? We surely can in spirit.

What beautiful Minnesota weather. The pavements are covered with the beautiful snow and the merry jingle of sleigh bells, followed by peals of joyous laughter fills the air with sweet music. We wonder what our Sisters in California, Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Georgia and Florida are doing these days while we are shivering in the cold and protecting ourselves from the winter's blasts.

We congratulate Brother Powers on his election as Chief Conductor of Division 40. It was in deed an honor to be chosen to succeed so able a man as Brother Condit, and Brother Baxter will have to do some earnest work to keep up the reputation of his predecessor, M. N. Goss. We wish these men success in all their efforts and we not only hope that the coming year will be the banner year for 40 but for 98 as well. St. Paul, Minn. MRS. J. C. MCCALL.

Editor Railway Conductor.

Division 10, L. A., is still in the center of the hard coal district and we are here to stay. Our membership is not large but the majority are faithful.

A party of six of our Sisters visited Division 178, L. A., of Carbondale, November 24, and were royally treated. We all enjoyed the visit very much, and hope to welcome them in February if all is well.

How many hearts were saddened by the death of our dear Sister, Mrs. E, E. Clark. To our Brother and his family are given the heartfelt sympathy of every member of our Division.

We have stood by the side of our President, Sister Correll, during her affliction. May the New Year bring health and happiness to all. MRS. GEO. J. FOWLER. Zu

Scranton, Pa.

Editor Railway Conductor.

Dear Sisters, Division 9, L. A., will again let you know how she is prospering. We have ninety members in all and such jolly Sisters, too. On November 17 a eucher and lunch was given in the Division room. Surprise will never end with your humble servant for in one of the September meetings she was presented with a beautiful china plate. Thank you, Sisters. I am sure it was not for my good looks that I received it. I am not the only one that received a plate, Sister McQuiston Ody and Sister Rice received a cut glass dish. I think Sister Rice is going to give a party in honor of the dish. The 24th of last month being my birthday I was greatly surprised by a number of Sisters stepping in with their arms ladened with good things to eat and the afternoon was spent very enjoyably. Come again, Sisters, you are always welcome. Many thanks to Sister Stannecke for the penny tray. Our last meeting day we organized a fancy drill. Face about, forward march.

We were sorry to hear that Sister Scott met

with an accident but hope it is not a serious one. Brother Clark, Division 9, L. A. extends its sincere sympathy in your sad bereavement. It's God's will-His way, not ours.

Sisters, with the new year let us take new courage, and let us live up to our motto, Charity, Truth and Friendship. Pittsburg, Pa.

MRS. J. R. DANENBERG.

Editor Railway Conductor:

Auxiliary 85 met December 3rd and elected officers for the ensuing year, also initiated two new members, Mrs. Frank Walbs and Mrs. Kennedy, after which we had a delicious lunch. One of our very active members, Mrs. N. M. Brown, was reported sick but, remembered us with a lovely fruit cake a year old, for which we extended her a vote of thanks and then did justice to the cake. Our worthy president, Mrs. W. W. Jones, has performed her duties so nobly we reelected her by acclamation. She would rather have been relieved but it would be hard to get any one else to fill the chair as she has done. Parsons, Kan. MRS. B. ROUCH.

Editor Railway Conductor.

Division 176, L. A., was organized May 7, 1903, with fifteen charter members. Our President, Sister Lena Stanford, removed to St. Louis in July and we felt her loss keenly as she was the only one of our number who had any experience in lodge work. After a few meetings, however, we plucked up courage and with the courage came confidence and now things are moving with a vim. Though our band is small we are enthusiastic and intend to make 1904 a year of

success.

We gave a benefit eucher in November, and had an attendance of about seventy-five. Among that number were five O. R. C. Brothers. That tells why we still have a small Division in the number of members. Does it not? Brothers Emil Sebastian, R. Philipson, Jno. McCommon and A. W. Sanford have given us their cordial support and rendered us every assistance.

Brother George McCammon, of Division 241, De Soto, Mo., and Brother Charles Sabine, of Division 212, Slater, Mo., were with us the night of the eucher.

You know it is an old story of the man who thinks his wife should have no pleasure outside the walls of home. He makes the garden fence and the wash tub her boundaries. While we know our true happiness is found in our home, still a little variety makes us appreciate home all the more.

We had our annual election December 3, and as there was a change in correspondent I think the readers of the CONDUCTOR will hear more often from L. A. Division 176.

This is the season of the year when we all make good resolutions, supposably very good ones, and the time of all times when our hearts are filled with love for one another, with thanks to the Giver of all for the pleasant paths our feet do tread.

One of our Sisters was saying the other day that when she was a child her mother made a

resolution to speak ill of no one and kept the resolution during her life. And she resolved she would do the same.

Do we not all know how hard it is sometimes to do that, and do we not know also that many a thaughtless unkind speech has caused untold sorrow. That many a little bitter word has been spread and grew and magnified until its results. would make the one spoken of a criminal of the deepest dye. That is one resolution that if kept would do good in this world and good comes not

Editor Railway Conductor:

Should women be permitted to vote and hold public offices?

To this question we say most decidedly, yes. The only reason they do not vote and hold officeto a greater extent than they do at the present time is on account of the narrow man-made laws. by which we are governed. These narrow-minded-man-made laws which prevent women from voting and holding public offices are the result of our narrow-minded man legislators who are carried away by the ancient and worn-out idea that a woman's place is at the wash tub in common life or in the parlor in aristocratic life. These are great errors on the part of our law makers. and in all the pages of history from primeval man to the loftiest intellect of modern times no tongue or pen has ever been able to give a clear, logical reason for denying to women any of the rights or privileges enjoyed by men.

The greatest disgrace to our so-called civilization is to be seen in our voting laws. An ignorant, drunken and criminal man can place a ballot in a ballot box and a respectable, intelligent and thinking woman can not. These conditions. exist in the great republic of the United States. and we demand that they be abolished. In some states women vote for minor public offices. and in other states they have the same rights as men at the ballot box. Let us look up the record of some of these states.

Massachusetts was one of the thirteen originar states which constituted the union of states afterthe declaration of independence was acknowledged to be right by the nations of the world.

In Massachusetts only 20 per cent of the people own their homes free, 18 per cent of their homes are mortgaged and 62 per cent of the people live in rented or leased houses. This is in the state supposed to be the most advanced in science, art and literature. It is a most disgraceful page in the history of that state.

In the state of Ohio, one of the states which came into the union soon after the revolutionary war, only 36 per cent of the people own their homes free, 16 per cent of their homes are mortgaged and 48 per cent of the people live in rented or leased homes.

In Montana, one of the last states admitted to the union, 51 per cent of the people own their homes free, only 7 per cent of their homes are

mortgaged and only 42 per cent of the people rent or lease their homes.

These statistics are to be found in our last census, which was taken in 1900. Must we wait for the young states of the West to set an example to awaken the supposed-to-be civilized states of the East?

In Ohio the women have limited suffrage. In Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and a number of other states the rights of women to vote and hold public office are respected.

Measure the free homes of Montana against those of Ohio and Massachussetts and who is there who will say that women are not capable of voting or holding public office?

Measure the mortgaged homes of Montana against the mortgaged homes of Ohio and Massachusetts and who will say that women who protect their homes are not able to protect the states and nation.

Measure the rented homes of Montana against the rented homes of Ohio and Massachusetts and who will say that a woman does not know how to vote for a home free from landlordism and self-inflicted slavery.

In the state of Montana a few years ago a woman was nominated for the high office of attorney general. During the campaign every ef fort known to her opponents was used and although she was defeated at the ballot box the resources known to all women were brought into action and she married the man who was her opponent and the office of attorney general was by them conducted with great credit to the state. Men vote for what they do not want for fear they willget what they want by voting for it. When women want anything they not only work for it but vote for it. Let us work to usher in the dawn of an enlightened civilization when the humblest citizen by right of suffrage is equal to the greatest, and on that day work for legislators who will demand that the rights of women to vote and hold public office will never be abridged. Then and not until then will our government have done its full duty toward those who during the Revolutionary war helped make the Republic and during its darkest hours of civil war helped to preserve it. All honor to those who advocate "equal rights for all and special privileges to none." The welfare of one is the concern of all.

MRS. J. W. STRANAHAN.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Editor Railway Conductor:

I am again reminded I should write one more communication to the CONDUCTOR before I lay down my pen to my successor. I feel that I have failed in my duty in this respect the past year but it seemed home duties took up so much of my time. From May until September we held only one meeting, so many of the Sisters being absent from town, but since then we have held our meetings regularly twice each month and have initiated six new members and have two for our next meeting and I believe there are still more to follow, for Brother Stroupe has promised us he would get married during the

holidays and that means a new member for Auxiliary 166. We now have on our roll twenty-five members and I am sure a more earnest band of women could not be found. We feel that we have done a good work, and we shall strive to continue with a greater courage and a more earnest determination as the old year dies and the new comes upon us. We have found that our afternoon teas given at the homes of the different Sisters are both a social and financial success. The last one given at the home of Sister Cusack, who has been our faithful Senior Sister for two years, netted us over eight dollars. On the evening of September 5th the Brothers of Division 142 asked the L. A. to serve lunch to them at their hall in honor of five new candidates they were to initiate. We did so and we spent a most delightful evening together and when the Brothers held their election of officers we served lunch to them again and at this meeting there were about sixty present and after the tables had been cleared the Brothers called the meeting to order and Brother Tillman paid the members of the L. A. a very pretty compliment. One thing he said which pleased us most of all was that he was sure that the Auxiliary had been a benefit to the O. R. C., for he said that there were more members present at the meeting that day than there had been at any meeting for three years. We believe the good seed has been sown and that we are beginning to reap the harvest. The earnest desire of every member of the L. A. is that the good work may go on until every conductor shall be a member of the O. R. C. and every wife a member of the L. A. There are only two in Rawlins who are not in the L. A. but we feel that in the near future their names will be on our roll of membership. We are looking forward to a joint public installation with the Brothers and a banquet will be served by the ladies at that time, We enjoyed the joint meeting and installation with the Brothers so much last year that we hope to make it an annual affair. At our last meeting the officers were elected for 1904. I can say that a president could not have a better, more faithful set of officers to assist her than was chosen for next year. I feel proud of our little Auxiliary and I think every member has reason to feel proud of Division 166. I feel that I have taken more space than I should but, dear editor, as this is my last please bear with me and I will not intrude again.

May happiness and success attend every member of our noble Order and may we all go forward in our beloved cause until the Grand Chief Conductor shall call us one and all to meet around the great white throne, where all shall be harmony and peace and where we shall be united and our circle of friendship shall never be broken. MRS. L.. H. WRIGHT.

one so busy, it is a little difficult to find much news. We can say we are still increasing our membership by one and two at each meeting. Our ball on the 30th of October proved a grand success both socially and financially. The largest attendance of Brothers that has been out for a long time. Can not see the cause unless they have begun to get tired of staying home and letting "wifey" do the going. More power to you, Brothers. Come out again, do not be so shy.

I forgot to mention in my last letter about the locker presented Capital City by Division 100. It certainly was an agreeable surprise and appreciated highly. Many thanks. Sister Elder has been quite sick, also Sister Dutoit. We all wish them a speedy recovery. This is near the close of a prosperous year. Columbus, Ohio.

MRS. FRANK STUART.

Editor Railway Conductor:

I think I hear some one saying, have we a correspondent? Well, we have, and here she is. We generally get one letter a year, so this is our annual, see?

The past year has been a very prosperous one for Division 114, L. A., both socially and financially. We held our dime socials mostly all summer, which were much enjoyed by all who were able to attend. We cannot complain of attendance, as all the sisters do their best. On October 19th we celebrated our sixth anniversary by giving a quilt raffle and apron sale, which proved to be a success as it swelled our bank account $50. We all feel much encouraged with the result. Sister Williams drew the lucky number and received the quilt.

On September 29th death entered our ranks and removed our much loved junior, Sister Evans. The sympathy of our entire Division goes out to the bereaved husband and relatives. Sister Williams having recently moved to Milwaukee, sent us an invitation to hold our next social meeting with her, so Nov. 18th was chosen for this occasion, long to be remembered. Sister Williams met us at the depot and escorted us to her beautiful home where we spent a social hour, and from there we went to the Republican House where everything was ready for us, covers being laid for fourteen. Riding 112 miles on a cold day makes one feel a little inclined to eat, and I am sure Sister Williams must have thought of this before, as she proved herself a royal entertainer. This being over we made our way to the hall of Division 139, and were given a warm welcome, it being their regular meeting day, and to say they have a very efficient corps of officers and that they know how to entertain visiting sisters and understand the true spirit of our motto, is not putting it strongly enough. The meeting was very pleasant and instructive. After adjournment, we were invited to the din. ing room. Well, say, there are some splendid cooks in Milwaukee and then perhaps some one is saying, the sisters of Green Bay had splendid appetites. In the evening we were given a theater party which we all enjoyed very much. After this was over Sister Sykes invited us to her home, where she served light refreshments

Editor Railway Conductor:

Please allow me to introduce to you and to the Sisters and Brothers of the O. R. C., Division 143, L. A. We sincerely hope that we are none the less welcome because we have been so long in presenting ourselves to the readers of the CONDUCTOR.

Our Division at present has twenty-eight members, three coming in at our last meeting and two more petitioners voted to be granted. Our President Mrs Mary Darling, is also Deputy for this district-which we consider quite an honor and expects to hold a "school of instruction" at Utica next April for the four Divisions included in the district.

Our ladies are very social and take much interest in the meetings. At our last one there were twenty-one sat down to supper after initiation. We always give our new members something nice to eat and a good social time. It is such a helpful way of getting acquainted.

We have a fine sum in our treasury; also we sent $5.90-the proceeds of a dime social-to the Highland Park Home a short time ago.

I expect the Sisters of 143 will be so surprised to see their name in the CONDUCTOR that they will question the sanity of their correspondent, and if I don't let them know immediately that I am not under the care of a physician, they will be sending me a basket of fruit or some flowers, as that is the way we treat our sick Sisters. Syracuse, N. Y. MRS. M. BARNES.

Editor Railway Conductor:

It is some time since you heard from Auxiliary 172. Since I was elected to the office of correspondent I have several times thought of my neglect of duty. Well, I must thank our Sisters for the patience and beg them not to criticise this effort too severely. I suppose you all thought that our Auxiliary was dead. That is not the case for we have an abundance of news to tell.

Sister President entertained the Auxiliary one evening, music, singing and refreshments. The Auxiliary also had a lawn social on Sister Kepelskie's lawn. All had a social time and we cleared quite a nice little sum for our treasury. We also gave a card party in the Firemen's hall and had a nice crowd of fourteen tables and passed an enjoyable evening. We have quite a nice little sum in our treasury now and feel proud to think we have done so well.

Well, I wonder what has happened to Auxiliary 154? I have never heard them speak up. We had election of officers the 8th and I tell you we had a red hot time. Sister Shaff raffled a pil

Editor Railway Conductor:

Juanita Division No. 66, L. A., with two more meetings, will end one of the most successful and happy years that it has passed for some time. The past year has proved a grand success both socially and financially.

We have taken in quite a number of new members thus far, and are going to initiate one more into the mysteries of our order at our next regular meeting on December 10th. We hope that we shall be able to add as many congenial members next year as we have this. We have now about twenty-one members who are enthusiastic workers and our meetings are well attended.

A few weeks ago our entertainment committee prepared a surprise in the form of a grab bag. At the close of one of our literary meetings, which are held twice each month. The many pretty and useful articles which were made by the sis ters were sold at ten cents a grab. This furnished a pleasant and novel entertainment, from which a neat sum was realized.

We have commenced to give surprise parties at the homes of the different members since the weather has become cold. These social gatherings are very much enjoyed by both the Sisters and Brothers.

Our election of officers for 1904 was held Thursday, December 10. We all hope that the new officers will experience as successful a year as those of the past year have experienced. MRS. J. T. L. BROOKS,

Editor Railway Conductor:

On with our new officers now, and above all, a much needed "quill propeller," for your humble servant is more than happy to relinquish the Auxiliary's scrawl stick to a much more competent Sister. Let me here introduce Sister Clements as our next correspondent and advise one and all to be on the alert for some interesting reading matter in the columns of the CONDUCTOR from 137, as we've been sidetracked quite long enough.

We had the pleasure of a visit from our Grand Vice-President, Sister Conlisk, who is also our inspector, on the 2nd. She assisted in our election of officers during her inspection, and we enjoyed her words of wisdom and were not at all frightened during inspection.

Our present set of officers, with one or two exceptions have been unexcelled up to date, but, like other Auxiliaries and Divisions of which we read in THE CONDUCTOR, we have more than a few dear Sisters, and, I'm ashamed to say, among them officers, who seldom attend meetings, and yet there seems to be no remedy for this.

After inspection on the 2nd we were invited in

a body to the handsome residence of Sister Dongan, where we were dined most sumptuously and were royally entertained before Sister Conlisk took her departure for Ft. Worth. We also had with us dear Sister Thompson of Temple, who has just recovered from a four month's siege of typhoid fever.

Were pained to hear of Sister Rhymes' illness and hope ere now she has also recovered.

Congratulations are in order for Brother and Sister McPike-it's a girl, also for Brother and Sister Wyman, who are rejoicing over a new ticket puncher.

Sorry to note Sister Hughes' continued ill health.

Sisters of El Paso, we welcome you most heartily in our circle, but beg of you not to center your attention too forcibly on Brother McPike; we feel that we still have a claim on him and his better half and are loath to relinquish same; however, our loss is certainly your gain. He has a heart as big as a box car, and when it comes to Auxiliary work he's "Johnny on the spot." MRS. HUGH MCCRAINE. Cleburne, Tex.

Editor Railway Gonductor.

I have been elected correspondent for the coming year and you will hear from me at least once in six months, if I do as well as I did last year.

The election of officers passed off very pleasantly. Sister Furness takes the chair this coming year, and for the benefit of our Sister Auxiliaries as well as our own, I would say that with the beginning of the new year, let us put forth every effort to make our Auxiliary the grand, noble order it is and should be. Let us try to have Charity for all and if the officers are not just the ones we would have, now that they are in let us help them all we can, and above all let each of us try to be more charitable in words as well as in deeds. In looking back over the past year I can say our Division as well as our Brothers of 137, have been extremely fortunate, for while none of us have had any deaths in our immediate families, Brother Gardner and Inship both lost a brother. "Into each life some rain must fall," and sometimes, perhaps, we will understand these things better.

Sister E. A. Smith has just been to the bedside of her sick father in Hannibal, and we hear Sister Stevens' little girl is dangerously sick. Sister, we are your friend, and we sympathize with you in this your hour of trouble. Brother Glacer was badly hurt about two months ago and we understand he is not yet able to work, but hope to soon see him at his post of duty.

We have not had much work for our goat for some little time past, but we understand there is some good material in town and we hope to soon be down to good hard work.

And now, Brother Editor, I would like to thank you for the neat way in which our letters find their way in THE CONDUCTOR. I know if all the letters are as poorly written as this one your task is indeed a hard one and now if you will just bear with me a little longer while I say