The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-10-29
In SOCIETY CIRCLES.
The Western Sorosis Club Dis
cusses the Chinese
II RELATION TO THE UNITED STATES.


OF twenty three of the brightest women
in Topeka, who have met once a month
for nearly year. and discussed a paper
that was read by some member of the
club a subject of current interest.
Nineteen of the twenty-three mem bers
were present on Saturday afternoon at
Mrs b. W. Roby's home south of the
city, and from three until four o'clock
the election of officers for next year occu-
pied their time. These officers are elect
ed three months before they officiate, in
order to give them time to prepare the
programme for the ensuing year Mrs
". A McCarter was reelected presi-
dent; Mrs Huron, first vice president,
Mrs. l. ID. Wnittemore, second vice pres
Ident; and Mrs NJ. A Waterman secreta-
Ty, by informal ballot. Mrs. Geo. Whit
comb read the paper of the afternoon,
and her subject was. "The attitude of the
United States toward the Chinese gov
ernment" Mrs. Whitcomb is a lawyer
and a very brilliant woman, and she
handled her subject in logical manner.
She commenced with the earliest treaty
between America aud China and dis
cussed the condition of the .'helpless and
peaceable' Chinaman up to the Geary
bill.
Mrs. Whitcomb believes that China has
kept faith with the United States during
the entire period and that the latter has
violated the stipulations of the treaties
over and over again. She quoted from
speeches made by the congressman at
W ashIngton to prove her point, and her
paper was full OF Information regarding
the actions of the Chinese during the en-
tire trouble. She defended the common
statement that the Chinese do not assim-
late well with the Americans by saying
that we ought to be glad they didn't if
they were repugnant to US, and that. IN
the matter OF wages. there were no bet
ter paid servants in California than the
Chinese.
Mrs. Whitcomb's paper provoked much
discussion among the women. because so
many of them were of different opin-
ion.
Mrs. J. W. Butterfeld objected to the
presence of the Chinaman in this coun-
try for fear he might bring leprosy, as
that country was particularly afflicted
with the disease.
The American government in her
judgment was justified in their desire
TO keep him out but the means of doing
it did not suit.
Miss Viola Troutman thought the
United States had acted very dishonOr-
ably toward the Chinese and she was of
the opinion that it was done on the
ground of political diplomacy without
any observance of the laws of humanity
and justice.
Mrs. NJ. A. WATERWAYS idea was that
the Americans judged the Chinese TOO
severely. at is scarcely becoming in the
United States" said she. so twit the
Ohinese with their superstitious ideas,
when we burned witches at the stake less
than 200 years ago"
Mrs. /. s. Lyon related a pathetic in
cident apropOs to Mrs. Waterman's re-
marks, about relative of hers who went
as missionary to China forty years ago
with the first printing press The Chi
nese were SO firmly convinced that his
press was q machine for the calling up
Of evil spirits, that they tossed it in the
ocean and pitched him in after it.
Mrs. l. ID. Lewelling told of her visit
to the Chinese quarter in San Francisco
and said that her impression of the race
there did not make her look upon them
with favor citizens of the United
States. She resented the action Of the
American government as a breach of
treaty faith, but the Chinese people were
repugnant to her. Mrs. A. G. Woolger
and Miss Bertha LoveWeu related sew
eral incidents in their experience of
teaching the "Heathen Chinee" and the
discussion lasted until the husbands ar
rived to take tea with the ladies'.
It was a very happy occasion and the
members are all live earnest women who
think and talk intelligently. The next
meeting Will be with Mrs. Waterman in
four weeks. Mrs. H. w. Roby will read
a paper that will be of DoliI-
zeal interest and her subject is
found in Leviticus 1886 81. The
Butterfield, Mrs, w. G. Campbell, Mrs.
T. Gillingham, Mrs. @. A. Huron. Mrs.
NJ. A. Waterman, Mrs. G. H. Whitcomb,
Mrs h w. Roby. Mrs. w. A. McCarter,
Miss Viola Troutman, Mrs. Will
Kitchell, Mrs. z. Q. POpenOe, Mrs. l. -.
Whittemore, Mrs. I. 5. Lyon, Mrs. r
Gundry, Mrs A. c. Woolger, Mrs L ID.
Lewelling, Misses Zu Adams, Bertha
Lovewell Anna Murphy, Ef1ie Graham,
Jean Hay, Ella McKernan and Miss
Montgomery of Emporia.
General Social Notes.
The Stedman literary club will meet
this evening with Judge Eldridge This
will be "Holmes evening"
Miss Helen Weber returned TO her
home in Lawrence today.
Mr.. Lou Ashton spent Sunday in Leav-
enworth.
Mr. VIII johnson of Chicago spent
Sunday in the city.
Miss Alice Hood of Emporia will visit
Miss Hortense Kelly this week
Miss Alice Rossington Will entertain
nine of her young friends at Halloween
party in celebration Of her ninth birth
day.
Mr.. E d. Kenna Of St Louis. general
solicitor of the Frisco, spent Sunday in
the city.
Mr.. and Mrs. J. E. Lord. Misses Bessie
Stewart. Lottie Bowes. Gertrude Dever-
eaux, Susie Gay, Nellie McCIintOck,
Jessie Small, Messrs Walter Noble. Ned
Osborne. Frank Thomas, Ben Akers, AL
Evans. f. A. Lewis, Ed. Bennett were
among those who attended the football
game in Lawrence Saturday afternoon
Mr.. Leon DeBost has gone to Chicago
to visit his parents, and viii 60 from
there to New York 10 accept a position
Mrs J. b johnson and Mrs. Henry
King of St Louis spent Sunday IN Atch-