The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-09-24
THE WOMEN WRITERS.
Successful Closing Night Of Their
First annual Convention.

A large audience assembled in Union
square Hall last night to hear the pro-
gramme prepared for the only open meet
ing OF the Convention of the Pacific Coast
WOmen's Press Association.
AT half-past o'clock promptly the Presi-
dent Mrs. Eyster, appeared on the platform
and introduced Mr.. Theo Ii. N0rthrup. who
favored the assemblage with two piano Sc
lectlons, exquisitely rendered.
The President then read her address OF
welcome, setting forth the purposes of the
association and the high work it hopes to
accomplish. 1t now numbers $50 members,
40 OF whom are now actively engaged IN
editorial work, while all are contributors TO
many periodicals East and West.
Miss Grayce A. Howell sang in pleasing
style waltz song, Hesitation" Mr..
Northrup accompanying her on the piano,
and Mrs. Emily Brown-Powell read SHIRT
poem, "a Modern Parable" her point,
| which was we'll made, being that women
must exercise justice toward each other ere
seeking 1t from men.
Owing to the illness of Mrs. E. 7. Y.
Parkhurst her paper on "A Corresponding
Secretary's Work. was not given
MI Henry Kirke White Jr. of Boston
next rendered vocal solo. Mr.. White is
stranger TO San francisco audiences, but his
selection and fine voice so greatly pleased
his hearers that the rigid mo encore" rule
Of the programme was waived, that they
might have the pleasure Of hearing him
again.
Eliza d. Keith (Di Vernon, which the young
lady treated III her usual clear and cOmpre-
henSlye manner, holding the pleased atten-
ti0n of all present.
The line of thought taken I'D by
Miss MISS Keith for discussion was "A
and ideas therein set forth were presented
i'll the mastery manner of a veteran. In
opening her paper she said: "a wise
woman will not despise the chance of
writing on space. 1t develops aertness of
mind. and power of rapid EXPRESSION. 1t is
well worth while TO snapshot an idea by
the tash-iight of inspiration. The negative
can be retouched at leisure" The idea is
neat and well put. She said: In fl ton,
the short story is carrying off all the honors.
Inc three-volnme novels OF our grand
mothers have been put behind the newer
books on the library shelves. Clarissa
Harlowe must be blue-peuciled unspar-
ingly to be read at all. The Children of
the Abbey" could not find publisher to-
day. unless as a serial in fash weekly.
Jane Eyre itself, would share the same
rate. She thought that women. as
writers, must address themselves to women
of the present day. The woman Of the
present day." said Miss Keith, sis more in
tertsted in the latest fashion than in the
headgear pictured ON the Pyramids. A
newly invented baking tin, or perforated
Dle-plate, Is OF far more account than long
dissertation on how the ancient Egyptians
baked their bread"
In choosing subjects women should never
belittle their own sex. 1t is "mean,
cowardly, contemplate. vulgar" ''The
role OF Judas is masculine one" Women
can choose for their subject the sanitary
condition of the household and school
house. They should stand by and support
by their Influence the Board of Education.
Women are the inspiration of a1natiOn's
patriotism. 1T was mother who said to
her Spartan soldier boy, with your shield,
or on IT, The mother must teach her
children patriotism In the seminary. Teach
them to be Americans, to sing patriotic
songs, float the flag on the sch0o-house
dome. watch and wait for national holidays,
fly the flag everywhere and have for a
motto Our flag is there" but never desc
crate 1t by allowing it to be used as an al
yertising medium. The children sholld be
organized into associations. known as 1.-The
Order of the American Flag" with solemn
ritual, reyereutly received A law should
be passed to protect tue flag from insult
Miss Keith closed by saying: Let us then
memorialize Congress to protect our flag
from these insults. Patriotism is passion.
You have my choice of a subject"
Wysham gave lie Babiilard," concert
caprice, Boehm flute. with piaDofOrle ac-
compartment by Professor Martinez
After a short intermission. Miss l.. b.
jerome executed piano solo, "Minuet
antique"
Illness caused another break in the pro-
gramme, Mrs. A. c. Waterman being unable
to appear. In her place appeared Mrs.
Charlotte Perkins Stetson. who read an
original poem, "Shoulder to Shoulder" the
poet urging that If women would rise it
must be by unity and good-fellowshp
among themselves.
Mrs. Marion TAYLOR Of the London Con-
servatory of Music sang, with pleasing
effect, Sir Henry Bishops dainty song,
Bid Me Discourse" following which Mrs.
Lillian Plunke Tt reeited An original poem,
The Nuns Confession" in graceful style.
1t was an exquisite composition and the fair
poet was rewarded with number of floral
tributes.
A pleasant feature of the programme was
the reading by Mrs. Alice Kingsbury Cooley
OF two selections from her latest novel,
"Asaph."
A piano solo by Professor Martinez was
the next number, and the programme closed
with brief address by Miss A. T. Knapp,
giving few hints 10 wOuld-be newspaper
workers. The address was logical, full of
sensible advice, and was well received.
Taken as a whole, the programme was a
most enjoyable one, ana brought to sue
cessful termination the present convention,
which up to last night has been purely
business OIe. all meetings being held with
closed doors.