Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1890-04-17
GATHERING OF GIRLS
First Annual Convention Of
Working Girls Societies.
cyEg 500 DELEGATES ATTEND

Cities-Gail Hamilton Fresidcs-All
Classes OF Female Workers Repre-
sr..tc;i-objcc,s of the Organization
~ Bonrets and Taking Costumes.
DIRK, April 16.-The first con-
We, of associations of working
81. cieties met yesterday afternoon
OF lock in the assembly rooms of
the J .roiitan Opera house. About
90 delegates were present, of whom
shout ore-half are wage earners. A
considerable proportion of the wage
r,ors are, however, from classes not
IL ..y considered tas the phrase is
j: itilally applied as working girls.
IA Sre teachers, stenoSrapherS, book,
IS. designers, etc. They were all
w, we'll dressed. spring bonuets being
co..s"!cuous and they looked no more
democratic than an ordinary church
congregation The women on the plat
form in charge OF the convention were
all exceedingly we'll dressed. The only
men present were three reporters.
Aims al the Or.anizat on.
1t seems 10 be the aim of the pro-
moters OF these clubs in this country TO
make TEN Il common meeting ground
for as many classes of women as pos
sible, the american clubs, in this re-
spect, differing decidedly i'll character
from those in existence i'll England.
The Interior aim is probably much the
same, namely. the aiding and elevating
Of the classes OF working girls most
needing such civilizing influences; but
the difference of method is very great
and is significant of much. The En-
slish clubs are frankly a charity; half
of the energies OF the women promoting
the American clubs seem directed 10
disseminating the declaration that they
are not a charity. Their democratic
character and management are unceaS-
inelv reiterated and the habit of the
newspapers in speaking of them as a
philanthropic and charitable work Is
iamented rs real hindrance. These
ideas were touched upon and in some
cases elaborated, in the first paper read
to the convention.
The Convention Opened.
The convention was called TO order by
the chairman, Miss Grace h. Dodge. \
short address of welcome to the dele
gates was then delivered by Mrs. Rich
ard Irwin.
Mrs. Mary Storrs Haynes, one OF the
directoreSSes of the Brooklyn AsSocla-
ton of Working Girls. next read paper
on .What IS i Working Girls Society:
How to Start One
Mrs. HAYNES was followed by Miss
Helen lSei.n. OF New York, who read
paper On tue same subject Miss Iselin's
was an extremely practical paper, which
IS TO be printed and hereafter used as a
sort OF text book for the use OF those
starting clubs.
The following papers were also read
and discussed:
How to Arouse an Intelligent Interest in
Members in Their Society" Miss Edith NJ.
EoweS, Boston.
How Can q Society Bscoac SELF support
ing? The Collection OF DGcs, Miss Jane B.
Potter. New York.
Practical Talks, Their Functions" Miss
Grace Il. Dodge, New York.
Practical Classes Which Are Most Use
ful:' New Century Guild, Philadelphia.
ueiesatcs from Affair.
Boston. Philadelphia, Baltimore,
Pittsburg. Chicago. San Francisco and
many smaller places are represented IN
the convention. About loU members
are STAYING ut the Park Avenue hotel
the rest being with friends. The en-
penses OF delegates are paid by their re-
spective cluoS.
The annual meeting of the New York
association crowded Cooper Union last
night. The convention continues in
session today and tomorrow.
Great things are expected from the
convention. Miss Grace Dodge, the
chairman OF the executive committee
having il in charge, is most enthusiastic
on the subject and believes that 1t will
be productive OF the best results. The
association has been at work SO quietly
for some years that the public is likely
10 be surprised When IL learns Of the
extent o. tie movement for co-opera-
ton among women.
Annual Convocation of the supreme
Grand Commandery.
WuLIAMsPoRT. Pa, April 16.-The
annua! conrocation Of the supreme
grand commandery OF America OF the
Ancient and Illustrious Order knights
of Malta is now in session in this city,
with headquarters at the Park hotel and
holding their meetings in Ulman's Opera
house. Several hundred representatives
are in attendance, including number
from Europe. Il
The college Of the ancient met and
the tollo wing officers were elected:
Sovereign grand inspector general.
Charles McClintock, of Philadelphia:
grand admiral, George II. Pierce. OF
Philadelphia; grand bailiff, Bishop
James c. Shindel, of Mt. Carmel; grand
chancellor. II. D. Miller, of Trenton, n.
J.; grand protector of gate, Norman L:
C. TroxelI, OF Allentown; knight OF
Provence, Richard c. Ettinger; knight
of Italy, DR.. j. d. Christman, OF Easton;
knight Of Arragon, DR.. II. B. Cassel'
berry, of Hazleton; knight of England,
Il. S. Bowman, of Berwick. /
A parade was held at midnight and
the business session of the college lasted
until dawn. 4 reception was held, at
which Mayor Keller delivered an ad-
dress of welcome to the knights, which
was responded to by Sir Knight Pierce.
4 fine street parade took place yester-
day afternoon, followed ny !; banquet
participated in by all the visiting
knights. Norristown is talked OF as the
place FOR holding the coming semi
annual conyocation.