The Portland daily press., 1892-03-05
THE WOMAN'S COUNCIL.
A New Confederation Formed Yester.
day at Baxter Hall.
REPRESENTATIVES OF MANY so.
CIETIEs ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE


Literary and Charitable Societies Rep
resented.
To say that Portland is stem years"
behind other cities in advancement is a
libel, at least upon its women, who are
decidedly progressive, judging from the
enthusiastic meeting which was held in
Baxter Hall yesterday afternoon. Their
purpose was to form local council of
women, the plan Of which is to resemble
in design that Of the Women's National
Council, which met in Washington, D..
O., year ago last February, and of
which one of our most active townswom-
en-, Mr.. L. M. N. Stevens, was elected
treasurer. rt
The meeting was opened by DR.. Jane
Hersom, the chairman of the committee
that suggested the scheme, who moved
to elect a temporary chairman and re-
cording secretary, that the business
might be properly conducted. Miss
Dow and Mrs. NJ. P. Frank were elected
to ell these offices. Miss Dow, on taking
the chair, called upon Mrs. L. M. N.
Stevens to explain the nature of the pro-
posed council, which she concisely
summed up as follows: ''fhe plan of
the Woman's Council is, in the advance
ment of the woman's cause, to enable ev-
cry woman to know and comprehend
what every other woman or woman's So
ciety is doing or aiming to do. This re-
suit will be obtained by the presidents of
each club giving summary of the work
of their individual societies at the an
nual meeting of the council. While the
absolute independence of any society
Joining is in no way impaired, yet occa-
sions will arise where
Strength Resulting from Union
will not only be beneficial but necessary
to all.'
Mrs. Stevens then suggested that the
formula of the constitution that the COM
mittee had prepared should be read in
order that the object of the council might
be fully understood, adding that the
present constitution to be adopted was
simply basis upon which to work, and
further emphasized the fact that the
council was not to be made up of individ-
uals, (althongh every member Of all the
different clubs in the city were invited to
attend) but of societies represented by
their president, and one delegate. 1t
was moved that the constitution be read,
and considered article by article, the pre-
amble being adopted last in accordance
with parliamentary rule.
CONSTITUTION.
Article L Eame-This federation shall be
called the Womeus Council OF Portland. This
was amended by the name Portland Council OF
Art. H. General policy-This council is or
ganized In the interest of no propaganda. 1t
has no power over S auxiliaries beyond that OF
suggestion and sympathy; therefore no society
voting to become auxiliary to this council, shall
thereby render itself liable to be interfered with
in respect to its compile organic unity independ.
ence or methods of work or be committed to
any principle or method of any other society or
to any utterance or act of the council itself be-
yond compliance with the terms OF the c0nstitu-
ton.
Mrs. Stevens here explained the term
committed to any utterance or act,"
by stating that the council in general,
would not be responsible for any utter
ance or act of any representive to the
council, the responsibility of such resting
solely upon the society sending such rep
rcsentative.
Art. III. Oficers-The officers shall be
president a vice president at large, correspond
ing. secretary, recording secretary, treasurer,
and he h Of each society entering e ne
council. The five general officers with the vice
president shall constitute the executive commit
tee, of which seven shall make Quorum to CON
troll and provide for the general interests of the
council.
Mrs. G. S. Hunt moved that the quo
rum be extended to nine instead of sew
en-, which was adopted.
Art. w. Members-Any society of women
ana ye s NAY a oeSo v
of 50 annually into the treasury of the council.
This article was adopted with two
amendments, Immediate" being added
to vicinity in order to include the ada
cent towns, and the proviso, providing
the executive committee of the council
vote in favor of the same, thus protecting
the council from the membership of any
uncongenial societies should any be
formed
Art v. The council shall hold annual meet
ings. The committee of arrangements shall be
composed OF the executive committee and one
delegate chosen by each auxiliary society as its
representative. This committee may provide
for a special meeting If deemed best.
Unanimously adopted.
Art. VI This constitution may be altered or
amended by majority of votes of the council
at any annual meeting notice thereof having
been sent to each member of the executive
committee at least three months prior to such
meeting.
Adopted.
The preamble was next read and sub
mitted for discussion. but owing to va
rance OF opinions as regards the strict
meaning and application of the word
ignorance therein used, it was refer
red back to the original committee for
revision.
In order that the union might be prop
erly organized, a committee consisting of
Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Titcombe and Mrs.
Pinkham were chosen TO present list
of officers to act until su,h Jlme as the
union NAV elect IFS own officers