Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-05-17
Were Fully Ventilated at Yeste'-
terday's Congresses.
FIFTEEN OF THEM At ONCE
Social Evolusion. Politics Hygiene.
Beassy and Other Weixhsy Thesaes
We're Di,cusseti by Women.


womsn's congress today. Under the
wide roof Of the art palace they all
found suitable quarters. Thousands 81
women attended the different sections
Of the congress. and the devotees u al
most every special line of work found "a
program prepared to her taste. Wrapped
in heavy cloaks. the delegates seemed
prepared "a encounter Chicago's change
able weather. Most IL the women pre-
ferred 10 visit in the warm corridors
and reception room on the main iioor.
The disciples of dress reform were pres
ent. headed by May Wright Sewall of
indianapolis. Susan Il. Anthony was
another figure constantly followed 10y
hundreds Of eyes. The arrival Of the
Countess IL Aberdeen WIS greeted with
an informal reception. and the other
notables were objects IL interest as they
passed into the convention halls.
The two large meetings IN Columbus
and Washington halls were ccntcrs of
general interest. Hard discussions, em-
bracing the whole range Of woman's de
velopment. were In progress most II the
day. Among the department congresses
the most Interesting was that at which
dress reform was discussed and exem
phtied.
Woman i'm Politics.
The other halls scattered around the
building contained audiences smaller i'm
number and devoted Ia narrower fields
of work. Many IL the delegates tried To
d-vide their attention equally and make
"a round Of the attractions.
Shortly after noon the business of the
session was completed. and the separate
audiences merged in great reception
in the corridors on the ma i'm floor In
the::afternoon but one of the congresses
was in session. and during the evening
the conventions resumed business with
programs equal to those of the morning
Women IN politics was the theme dis
cusscd III Washington hall at the morn.
ing meeting. The seats were filled
when May Wright Sewell. dressed in
her short skirted reform costume. called
the session tn order. She introduced
Mrs. Charlotte Emerson Brown as pre-
siding officer. Among those on the
platform al that time were Susan Is. An
thony. Mrs. Margaret r.. Parker, Mrs
Julia Holmes Smith and Mrs. May
Rogers. After short Introductory ad-
dress Mrs Brown introduced Miss An
thony She read Elizabeth Cady Stan
tons paper prepared for the occasion.
Mrs. Stanton's effort Was review of
mans tyranny over woman IN the past
and closed with call Ia turn from the
narrowness 81 the past TO the civiliza
ton Il the future.
\ Foreign Point Of View.
IL.
Scotland was next introduced. Louise
Thomas. q: the Woman's Centenary as
-ociation. discussed the growing liberty
10 women. Dr. Jennie dc Ia Losier
spoke on cleanliness in the home.
Lacking but few Of the thousands as
sembleci In Washington hall. an audience
lilled Columbus hall across the corridor.
Subjects of the same nature were dis
cussed hy speakers IL equal distinction.
Jane Golden tnwin. representative ~
the Womans Franchise league IL En-
land. read an essay prepared 10y Mrs
Jacob Bright. on the struggles of English
women Ia gain political liberty. Mrs
h. W. Duncanson read "A paper entitled
Woman in Municipal Government
Lady Aberdeen told about woman az an
actual force in politics. Addresses by
Lille Devercaux flake and Martha
Strickland concluded the meeting in Co
lumbus hall.
While the main meetings were in
progress number II congresses were
called to order in different parts IL the
building. In hall No Julia Ward
Howe presided over a congress called To
consider the advancement ~ woman. In
hall No. -, Mary Frost Ormsby called Ia
order a congress composed Il women's
societies.
Conglomcratc Organizations.
The organizations represented here
were the International Board uf Woman's
Christian association. Woman's Fran
chise u England Woman's Auxiliary
kccley league 81 Illinois. the National
Democratic Influence club and the
Woman Trade League club ot England
About hundred women gathered in
Hall : ~ attend the congress in the in.
terest - Young Womens Christian
associations. In Hall No. the ladies'
- the Order q the Eastern Star held a
series - exercises during the day and
evening Tho National Citizens League
for Social Purity held short session
and adjourned. Hall No. ! was occu-
peel hy l.4o women. with hero and
there a lone man the advocates - drcss
reform. President May WrIgh, Sewall
called for order and INTRODUCED Mrs
Lucy Stone of Boston. who spoke - the
advance - the hioomer and dress re-
form in general The report ~ the com
miitce ;or the promotion - rhv-ical
culture and correct drrss sas read by
Mrs. Rachel Foster tvcry. who vas
compelled - stand on a iahl. T. satisfy
the feminine curiosity about her go
tume Ihi- was followed by review -
th" work ~ the society hy Frances VI
steele
Uenricfta'- Ideas.
Then Mrs Henrietta Russell talked
ou Lane and Color IN Costume How
Eeau'y Makes Reform posaiile Mrs
SsvaiL introduced on Mrs Rue
seils retirement Mile IIsrnet
kaFony - PERSIA. who tod
81; tie inroad fashion WA uak
ing her land Sh~ vac foiinuei by
Anr Jrne-se Miller and pctavia Batrs
y speech making go induizci IN in
'he afternoon IN any part 4 the huiii
ing The worlds fsir pa@ the priFc PAL
attraction. \ reception vas givcu tbi=
afiern on - the W-at f.r4 nman-
club ~ The Hines. cinh hoase ou Ash
ami avenue - The sarld's congress -
rrrre~snfaisvc rororo 'hr toari = is,ly
managers ani fhe dist ngui@hed gu~afs
= TIE general fefferafl4u = vufnan