The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-19
THE BIRTH OF SOROSIS.
THE PIONEER WOMAN'S CLUB IS
TWENTY-O ONE YEARS OLD.

- VIII Celebrate It's Majority By a
Rig Convention OF Clubs, Which May
Result in q Federation of All the
women's Societies in This Country
A sketch of Its History.
Copyright securely
Nrw YORK. March ia song to
sorosis," and pretty and charming Ella
Dietz Clymer, who was last week elected
nresdent of the famous woman's club, was
the singer:
USweetheart over the sea,
What shall | send to thee?
What shall send TO the Queen of June?
An English rose a spripgike tune?
A red red rose of the summer time
Hid meath the SHOWS OF winters rhyme?'
dozen wears ago she sang it and sent
the tender little stanzas across the water
from London.
"Sweetheart over the sea-
This would send to thee
A plaintive song that should make thee sad,
A sweet wild rose that should make the glad,
For until thou hast gazed on sorrows face
Thou never canst know the roses grace"
Wherever they go, Sorosis women remem-
her the Pioneer club that taught all women
the possibilities of organization, and SO,
sang Mrs. Clymer:
A rose and a song for thee"
The dainty poetess was one of the hand
full of women who organized the first
woman's club twenty-one years ago, for
Sorosis which has just put its gavel into her
hands has attained its majority. Beginning
Monday it will celebrate its new dignities
convention of women's clubs is in the
wind and delegates from all parts of the
country are already arriving. This con-
vention may result, indeed it is expected to
result. in a federation Of all the established
womens clubs in the country in national
union with q central organization. head
quarters in New York and annual sessions
to discuss topics of general interest to
women.
A banquet at Delmonico's on Monday,
when members aud guests will rejoice in
the coming of age of the society, morning
sessions Tuesday and Wednesday in the
Madison theater, which A NJ. Palmer has
loaned for the occasion, receptions by
Sorosis, by the retiring president, Mrs.
Thomas, by Jennie June and some of the
most prominent artists of the city, who
will throw open their studios, visits to the
Metropolitan mus um at the invitation of
Gen. Di Cesnola, to the Historical, the
Geological and Archaeological societies,
all of which are lavish in their offers of
hospitality, promise to make week men,
Orable in the chronicle of women's organiza-
tons
Long ago Jennie June discussed project
for "woman's parliament" and it is much
the same thing under another name which
the representatives of 100 or more societies
of women will have laid before them. The
proposition is 10 unite the existing clubs of
women Iii great general body, whose
branches-ths local women's cluos-shall
exteud all over the country. This general
organization will crystalize the Intelligence
andf ho inf nf hn rod
cieties, and unite their energies if possible
in definite channels. Matters connected
with hygienic and sanitary reforms, the
work and wages of women, women in the
professions, the educations of women,
domestic economy and progressive house
keeping the dress of women, prison re-
forms, and even political education-if it
should be the will of the clubS-are subjects
which have been suggested beforehand as
topics of interest on which the collective
public opinion of the sex might be brought
to bear in useful directions.
The idea of the federation of the 100 clubs
which have grown up in the twenty-one
years that Sorosis has lived, originated with
Jennie June. What will come of it depends
on next weeks deliberations. If it should
be adopted it will be one Of the most i'm
portant steps in organization that women
have ever taken. bringing together body
larger and better centralized, and with u
better defined constituency than the
"Woman's Congresses" which have from
time to time assembled. Organization is
Woman's watchword just now, Whatever
they do they do IN societies, and where two
or three are gathered together there is the
club certain to be formed. If the clubs
Themselves take to clubbing then will they
begin to act definitely on the varied inter
ests of society.
Aud SO Sorosis is 81.
What and if it should keep the half prom
Use which Jennie June jestingly made for it
IN the days when its cradle was rocking
that when it came of age it might gra-
ciousy admit the company of gentlemen.
Did you ever read that droll letter of hers to
the bold man who proposed to Join! Mr.. B.
X. Roosevelt was the individual.
DEAR SIR: Your proposition to become a
member OF the Sorosis was laid before the
executive committee and subsequently, before
the club. regret to say the decision not
IN your favor. The reasons, it is only fair to
state, were not those of character position or
personal merit, but consisted solely of society
restrictions as to sex. Personally you have been
found very agreeable by several members of the
ooross. reputation and position are alike un-
eXceptionable; but the unfortunate fact of
your behg man outweighs these and all other
Claims to membership.
We willingly admit, of course, that the acct
0ent OF your Be Is on your part misfortune,
and not a fault Nor do we wish TO arrogate
anything to ourselves because we had the good
fortune to be born women We sympathize
male creation in their present and prospective
gesoation and unhappiness but this is all we can
10 SoroslS is too young for the society of
| geAuelnen and must be allowed time TO grow.
ny ana by, when it has reached a proper age,
say Il, 1t may ally itself with the Press Club or
some other male organization of good charac-
yer ana standing; but for years to come its reply
70 al male suitors must be, Principles, not
men, JENNIE IrNE CRoTv
president of Soross."
II she had never written another line this
GCelclous bit of humor should immortalize
AIRS Croy. 1t is such a delightful repro
auction of masculine airs. 1t peeps through
the windows of the ms so complacently on
the outs. 1t is so smilingly patronizing, so
pohtely careful to cushion the utter rejec-
lQn with assurances of personal esteem, so
s9Icltous TO end with vague hint of pos
aole consideration in the dim tuture-in the
nillennlum. 1t exemplifies so amusingy
Tue fashion in which rules of exclusion on
sne simple ground of sex can now and then
Ds made to work two ways. Mrs Croly-
a. women-have experienced the usual way
AND the millennium is not come. Soro-
cation.
:, Dld you ever wonder where its name came
noulf Mrs. Croly found it while hunting
sH ygh BOTANICAL dictionary. She says
HsHNN ~ "A. -.