Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-22
REALLY IN POLITICS,
The Women's Club Convention
Had a Pretty Little
Fight for Offices.
A SLATE FROM THE EAST
That Was Smashed Into Smithereens
by Wrathy Westerners.
WOULDN'TALL0W ANY SET-UP JOBS
A Variety Of Topics, Including Reporters,
Ably Discussed.
CHICAGO A FAILURE IN ENTERTAINING
WOULDNTALLOW ANY SET-UP JOBS
CHICAGO A FAILURE IN ENTERTAINING
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH

and instructive sessions at the recent con-
vention of the National Federation of
Woman's Clubs in Chicago, was that de-
voted to the adoption of the proposed con-
stitution, particularly as to section 5, which
read as follows:
The six general officers of the Federation
and nine other members of the Board OF Di-
rectOrs shall be elected at biennial meetings
by ballot on report of nominal ting commit
tee. or after nomination from the floor. A
majority vote of those present entitled to
vote, and voting, shall constitute an cleo
tion.
During the discussion upon this section
1t became plainly evident, as some thought,
that the Eastern delegates-especially those
from New England-were bent upon hav-
ing a ''nomina ting committee" to set up
the names of the candidates for election.
So persistent was their advocacy of this
measure that it presently dawned upon the
Western delegates that there might be a
slate in the background, or a set-up job
somewhere concealed, but ready to be ma
terialized when occasion offered.
The West Knocks Out the East
Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, whose name and
opinions carry great weight, came to the
front in jealous support of the nominating
committee. Her daughter, Mrs Florence
Howe Hall, ardently supported her dis
tinguished mother, and was followed bv
numerous others from the New England
section. These contended that more care
ful selection of competent candidates could
be made under the deliberate and dispas-
siOnate consideration of a nominating COM
Il. =,
from the floor. Mrs. MAY Wright Sewell,
of Indiana, and many delegates from the
Western States opposed a nominating
committee as TOO much of the star-chamber
order, as an attempt to smother the voice
Of the majority and as measure subversive
Of true democracy. Miss Frances Willard
spoke eloquentlv against the committee,
and cited the methods and workings of the
great army of 500, 900 women, of whom she
Is the leader, to establish her position. The
Pennsylvania delegation, from what they
knew of ''bossism, p" were strongly on the
same side.
After what was the warmest discussion of
The whole convention, and which brought
many bright women to their feet, the
measure was put to vote and those favoring
the nominating committee" were defeated
The vote stood 100 to 81.
New England Forces a Compromise,
This baekset did not dismav the advocates
of the unpopular side. They were shrewd
and sharp enough to do an immense deal of
talking, and to set up a powerful row of
reasons in favor of this measure privately
during the evening, and as a result they
secured a reconsideration next morning.
This reopened the subject for what seemed
an endless debate At last the compromise
was reached that a nominating committee,
consisting of a member from each State,
should be appointed, and that each State
delegation should choose its own representa-
tive.
The meeting of this committee, when it
was finally appointed, was like unto a small
sized Minneapolis or Chicago convention.
Fash State desired to be represented in the
Offices New England clamored for recog-
milton. The Pacific slope was eager for a
show. The Northwest thought it nothing
but right that their growing greatness should
be recognized. The South would of course,
feel sighted if their section was not honored
by q place. Missouri wanted member.
The claims of Kansas were duly set forth
Ohio had favorite daughters presented in
persuasive words New York desired recog-
milton, as did Pennsylvania likewise. These
last two ''got there" in the persons of Mrs
J. c. Croly (Jennie June) for New York,
and Mrs Mary E Mumtord, President of
the New Century Club, Philadelphia
Recognition of Rare Merit.
The sternest and strongest advocates of
only one term of Office gave way before the
fitness and eapability of Mrs. Charlotte |
Emerson Brown, and she was reelected to |
the office of President BY an unanimous
vote. Her grace, dignity, courtesy and un-
failing good temper disarmed all opposi- |
tion. Perhaps the proudest man in Ameri- |
ca was Rev. DR.. Brown, her husband, when |
the result Of the election was announced |
To be the chosen heard of an organization of |
10000 women, gifted beyond the common
in the way of education and intellect, is an
honor for wife that no husband could fail |
to appreciate and rejoice over
One of the best papers read was by DIR.
Leila G. Bedell, of the Chicago Woman's
Club, on the ''Helps and Hindrances in the
Organized Work of Women" Her sharp
criticisms and witty Characterization of the
women who are to be found in the member
ship of every society, whether tor church
work, charitable enterprises or club cul-
ture were apt and true to life, as was illus
trated even in the proceedings of the FEEDER
alton.
The 'ichronic obiector" was there. who
rose to her feet continually to get in her
CAB about the most trivial matters. The
'narrow-guage leaders" were there, who
were afraid to take one step beyond the
boundaries of the strictest conservatism.
The woman who always wanted to have her
own way, and who imagined the organiza-
ton would 60 to pieces if she was not graft
fed, did not, however, largely obtrude her.
self. She no doubt realized that her pre-
tensions, however large, would receive lit
tie or no consideration in that crowd of
brilliant brainy women.
The Women Who Didn't Know
But there was pretty fair sprinkling of
those women who do not know, YOU know,
and are perslstently and everlastingly ask
ing questions These were doubtless Gre
sted by high heaven to match the men in |
the halls OF Congress and in other organ
lzstIons, who are continually obstructing |
business by asking for information as to
what 1t was their business to know, and |
pretending Lot to understand points that
are perfectly clear to everybody else.
AT the evening session Thursday Mrs
Ednah D. Cheney read long paper Oh
Realism IN Art and was followed br Mrs |
Julia Ward Howe with another upon
NV omen IN the Greek Drama" That these
we're excellent goes without saving, as they
did tor the most part without hearing The
high position that these ladies have attained
in the intellectual world gives guarantee
hat these papers were of the highest order,
but 1t is much to be doubted if, in the great
multitude that packed the music hall, a
iozen words were heard beyond the few
ront seats. But withal it was a great
pleasure to everybody to even see these |
,rand old ladies' who had been the COM
,aniOns and friends of Margaret Fuller,
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Theodore Parker
nd others who used to sustain the reputa-