The record-union., 1895-03-02
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN
Moral Reform the subject of Discus
sion Yesterday.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.
Moral Reform the subject of Discus
sion Yesterday.
WASHINGTON, March l. = Various
phases OF moral reform were advocated
and discussed at the sessions of the Ma
tiOnal Council of Women to-day. There
were two sessions during the day, and
the need of organization and co-opera-
ton of women in accomplishing i'm
provements in Government methods
were generally urged.
The discussion centered about the ques-
ton OF physical force as q basis OF gov
ernment, and was lead by Rev. Ida c.
shelton OF Moline, H., who made an
eloquent plea for the publication Of
politics and the requirement of character
III the selection OF those to whom the
control of government is iutrusted. She
denounced the money power in politics,
the overthrow OF which WAS to be accom-
plished only by spiritual force.
Mrs. Lille ID. Blake was unable to ap-
pear, but her formal address was re-
corded by the presiding officer.
a feature OF the morning session was
the presentation of a greeting from the
American Proportional Representation
League. 1t expressed its sympathy with
the aims, principles and ideas looking 10
the betterment OF the condition OF wo-
mankind, directly and indirectly. and
held that the best form of government is
a representative one, made up of all citi-
Zens OF the age of discretion. After citing
illustrations from the recent elections to
support the present method Of electing
representatives, that it does not secure
the rule Of the majority, the league ac-
counts Tor this, not in gerrymaudering
but IN the nature OF the system, and say
the remedy lies in electing representa-
tiyes from the State at large by means of
prOpOrtionate vote, 4 Swiss or free
list system IS cited as the best scheme for
accomplishing this plan as dove-taiIing
into the present methods and giving the
maximum OF result with the minimum
OF changes. 1t was urged as important to
women, because it was right, and will
enable them to accomplish their aims.
Mrs. Lille ID. Blake of New York CITY
took strong negative view OF the theory
that the physical force Is the basis OF gov
ernment She reviewed military actions,
duels and conflicts from the earliest days.
and asserted that the constant medieval
conflicts so drained the nations OF their
young manhood that the people of to-
day are the descendants OF the riffraff of
the Middle Ages. The closely woven in
dustrial ties that bind nations together
was cited as factor Of immense import
ance in the abolition of war III the civil
lzed world. and the revival of military
spirit shown in the drilling of boys. and
the increase of the standing army was
deprecated as foolish. and characterized
as useless and silly absurdity.
Others who spoke were Mrs Minnie
Snow of Ohio. Mrs. Clara Barton, Presi-
dent of the Red Cross Association, and
Mrs. J. Ellen Foster
The afternoon session was devoted to
reviews Of the aims and progress of
organizations Of women.
other features OF the session were ''Or-
gauIzed Work in Industry" by Nettie q,
Mclaughlin of Massachusetts, President
OF the National Association OF Women
Stenograpners; organized Work in
Moral Reform" by Elizabeth Grannis of
New York, and "Organized Work in
Government Reform" by Miss Susan 3.
Anthony OF New y FORK, President of the
Suffrage Association.