The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-17
"A gift to the teller of good tidings.
THE INFLUENCE" CLUBS.

Mrs. Ormsby Talks About the Rur-
poses of the Organizations.
From the Ne,O York Commercial Advertiser.
Since Mrs. Cleveland has declined lending
her name to the Woman's Influence Club
formed to assist the Democratic party In
the coming presidential campaign, the club
is In little bit of q quandary as to suit
able name. a reporter called on Mrs. Mary
Frost Ormsby, the president and organizer
In chief, at her home, No. 115 West Ninety
sixth street, and learned from her the de-
tails of the affair.
1--WE had hoped TO escape publicity" said
MES Ormsby, until such time as we
should be able to give tbs whole story. but
reporters are such an enterprtsing set of
knowledge seekers that they ferreted it out.
'But now that the story is out, suggested
the reporter. ''would it not be wiser TO give
il to the public IN its enttretyW
well, yes," she replied, 81 suppose 1t
would. The aim Of the club is primarily to
assist women-laboring women. We be-
lieve that tariff reform and the Democratic
party will best advance their interests.
Here is a point l wound like to accentuate.
Our aim in upholding free trade is not to
assist the rich woman to get SIS bonnet
for $50, or anything of that sort; 1t is to
help the working woman. We wish to save
the poor from pauper labor. You see, Pm
a good democrat and want to protect home
life"
UNDECIDED AS TO NAME.
NOW that Mrs. Cleveland will not per-
NIT her name to be mentioned In the mat
ter, what do you propose to rename the
club7"
''Wsll, we have noE decided upon that
yet. My idea is simply to drop the Frances
and call it the Cleveland Influence Club.
However, before anything can be decided
we must hold a meeting OF the club. If we
we're to call it the Tariff Reform Club or
anything OF that sort, il would lose its
raison d'etre. We formed it for the per
petuation of the Democratic panty on
grounds of free trade. have discussed the
matter with a great many of my friends,
including several clergYmen. and they all
approve warmly Of il"
"How did you in the first place hit on the
name of the Frances Cleveland Influence
Club?'
because I'm great admirer of Mrs.
Cleveland. Pm proud of her as an Ameri-
can woman. l attended two meetings of
congress in Washington during Mr.. CleVe-
lands administration and met Mrs. Cleve-
land at the white house. | was also associ-
ated with her in kindergarten work. 1
think her charming woman"
Then there is touch Of sentiment in
the matterg'
YES, there is" returned Mrs. Ormsby
somewhat sharply. perhaps there must
always be sentiment where women are con-
cerned, even ip political matters. This club
has been the outgrowth of years Of thought
on my part, which crystalized on my return
from Italy. had more trouble passing
baggage here than in any other country
visited. While I was In Italy heard a
great many complaints about the weight
placed on goods entering that country. 1
went there as delegate to the International
peace congress. While there had also the
honor OF being made member Of the Italian
Press Association. l believe the only other
American woman who received the same
favor was Mrs. Martha Tracy Owler of
Boston"
THE IDEA TARrNG ROOT.
care there other clubs being formed
throughout the country under che same
name as yoursN
YES, but they are purely auxiliary clubs
There ia one formed in Wisconsin, one in
Illinois, and another is TO be established in
Saratoga Springs. The formation of this
club seems to have aroused the greatest
enthusiasm among women all over the
country. You have no idea how many
letters | have received congratulating
me and offering 10 form branch clubs 10 diff
ferent parts Of the country. We have had
letters even from states which are not sup
posed to favor Mr.. Cleveland. Some Of my
correspondents have been 30 enthusiastic
that merely from reading the newspapers
they have formed societies Immediately and
written afterwerd for approval Here ia
an extract from a letter which think ex-
presses the public opinion in regard to our
movement:
This is not a fight for sentiment or
principle, and every true-hearted Ameri-
can woman ought to take a most earnest
interest In the Struggle"
1--WE have also letters from ladies' Offering
money and the labor of their brains and
pens, while prima donna has offered to
sing for the benefit Of the club, and we have
also letters from a great many influential
men encouraging US in our work. I think
the public generally. however. scarcely I'M
derstand what woman's influence will
amount to in this work. We intend to
have unions all over the country"
"Will all OF these other unions be under
the New York head and have the same
namep
Certainly. We are an organized par ty
and we will all work together"
MRS. oRMsBY's ACHIEVEMENTS.
"Do you intend to take the platform,
Mrs. Ormsby"
''Not unless we are forced into It. Then"
and Mrs Ormsby looked very,deter-
one has a right to do individually as one
pleases, in endeavorinR to advance demo-
cratic interests. don't feel that any one
has the right either to criticise me or to in
terfere with me- l neglect no one for poll
tics. l have no husband, no chill
dFen, no mother. I am alone in the worli.
and l feel at perfect liberty to do as /
please l did not expect or desire the pub
licity / have received 10 this matter. Il
seems / have pressed an electric button.
gave Mr.. Cleveland's letter to the public
because by so doing could most quickly
communicate with our western friends, and
have been obliged to stay out of my house
ever since to avoid reporters." and Mrs.
Ormsby laughed pleasantly. 81 have had
so many narrow escapes, ana then TO be
caught at last. Well, have told you every
thing"
Mrs Ormsby's italian experiences prom
Use well for her future efforts should she
ever become platform orator. While in
Rome attending the international peace con-
gress she walked into the conresss hall
with an American flag in one hand and a
bouquet in the other. 1t is needless TO say
the Italians treated SO undaunted a states
woman thereafter with the greatest respect,
going so far as to place the flag in the arms
OF Gladiator Strigil and giving Mrs Ormsby
both an American triumph and an interna-
tional reputation.
Mrs Ormsby is also a member Of the
KiOp'a DamQhtRFs and waG'fOr fhraa Naara