Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-07
MRS. STRICKLAND INTERVIEWED.
She Tells Reporter for The Herald Her
Opinion of Things.

Otni-SA& VI ls1ibe.
In conversation with . reporter for
THE HERALD, Mrs. Martha Strickland
of Detroit said yesterday: "Pariia-
mentary law is science founded upon
reasonable usage. The rules of delib-
erative procedure have their origin IN
human experience, and like municipal
Law parliamentary law represents the
average intelligence Of the people.
1.-THE modern movement for the adj
vancement OF women has resulted In
semi-polItIcai activity which makes a
practical knowledge of parliamentary
practice desirable, II not necessary.
This 10 evident from the increasing
number of women's literary clubs,
charitable boards and societies and
councils OF all kinds that are springing
up, not only in the cities, but IN all
parts of the state aud the United
States. knowledge OF parliamentary
law benefits women in many ways.
First, it gives them . correct idea of
the proper conduct of conventions and
meetings Of all kinds. One of the
principles of parliamentary law IS one
thing At n time, and each In its proper
order. III this is observed business 10
expedited, and the confusion and
WEAKNESS of disorderly proceedings
avoided. One OF the charms Of de-
Lucrative assembly is the sys-
tenn and want of friction
which spring from familiarity with
the rules Of parliamentary procedure.
Especially 90 where the presiding otfi-
Ger is himself good paYiiamentarian.
i sometimes tell my classes that the
ideal presiding officer Is. like the great
singer, born, not made. Something
more than knowledge Of parliament
tary law Is required. He must have =
peculiar temperament and possess
seemingly contrad ictory qualities. He
must be both quick and slow; deliber-
ate, that none of the members are cur
tailed of their rights, and yet prompt
that the business OF the assembly shall
not suffer from unnecessary delay.
He must have keeuness Of miI for
the ready discussion Of perpiexing
questions, and patience with even triv.
ial questions lrgiumately before him.
He must be both courteous and dig
nIfied.
Another beneficial effect upon wo-
men. and one which they from lack of
experience particularly need, IS the
ability gained to express original
ideas without self-consciousness. Per-
hzps there is no one thing IN which
women as class are more lacking than
In freedom of expression when con-
fronted by IN audience, large or email.
mean by this. when they are called
upon to express their own thoughts.
We zee this in trained eiocutonists,
who, with perfect poise, are able To APP
pear lefore an audience of thousands
when rendering their SELECTIONS, but
whose self-consciousness IS apparent
WHEN making the simplest announce
ments.
Ssill another great benefit 10 that wo-
men learn to think and act promptly.
1t is . school for original thought and
spontaneous expression. bringing 10th
forces into harmonious activity. Wo-
men are poor parliamentarians and yet
they are not. Their want of famil-
iarity with business methods and the
proceedings of deliberative bodies 10 the
cause Of the leading deficiency, sort
OF negative cause. ASIDE from this,
should say that women are specially
fitted for such efforts "a require tao,
and spontanety. In ether words. the
average woman. without q knowledge
of parliamentary law, 10 better parlia-
mertarlan than the average mar
without such knowledge. That is, NO
men have more skill in concesl,ns
their ignorance, and in conducting q
meeting without friction than have
men, just as they are naturally better
after dinner speakers than men. The
reason they have not gained promi
hence in these directions Is simply be
cause hsy have not had the same op
portunitles.