Omaha daily bee., 1895-10-06
ADVANCED NEBRASKA WOMEN
Work Of the Federation Of State Clubs Re-.
viewed.
BREEZY PAPERS BY BRIGHT THINKERS
Some of the Social and Intellectual
Features OF the Second Annual D..
Meeting just Closed Mt
Capital city. ,

LINCOLN. Oct. 5.-(speclal) The second
meeting Of the Nebraska Federation OF
Woman's Clubs opened Its first session
Thursday afternoon, October 3, at 2 o'clock, In
the First Congregational church at Lincoln.
The Lincoln women had tastefully decorated
the ]iatcr!o- C. the auditorium. Over the pull
pit. in green. hung the customary Well
come draped with corn-colored bunting
the federation's color. The flag Of the nation
was festooned upon the wall to the left.
Elsewhere there were masses OF palms and
ferns, while the presidents table was adorned
with boquets of cream and crimson roses.
The church is said to be able to seat 600
persons, and there was not a vacant place in
the house when the address OF welcome, by
Mrs. A. w. Field, president OF the Lincoln
City Federation of Woman's Clubs, was de-
livered. Ii was a neat little address, full OF
grace, cheer and cordiality. In response to
this a letter was read from the absent presi-
dent, Mrs. James III. Garfield. Mrs. Ellen
M. Henrotin, president Of the General Fedora
ton Of Woman's Clubs, was unable to be
present on account of illness in her family.
This was a disappointment, but even this was
soon forgotten under the spell OF eloquent
Mrs. Sawyer. Her address on THE Home of
the Future" was one Of the most original and
inspiring productions OF a session replete
with able efforts. The ability to stand before
a large audience, without manuscript or notes.
and discourse earnestly, 0uently and logically
Is a gift Mrs. Sawyer shares with but few
other members of the federation.
Many papers, giving evidence. OF careful
research and preparation, were read during
the two days the federation was In session.
or these the titles only can be glanced at.
Mrs. Lena Chase OF Weeping Water read a
breezy paper on "As Others See U.s." Miss
Irene Byron Of Omaha one on Opposition to
Realism Mrs. A. w. Roseman OF Fremont
on Some Things that Might BE Different
Miss Eyster Of Crete on THE Cultivation of
Taste for the Beautiful"
WEST WITH TIT EAST.
DR.. Spottiswood of Orange, N. j., spoke
for a few minutes of club work In the east.
She pleased the members very much by de-
claring that she could find no sharp line of
difference between the woman OF the east
and those Of the west. DR.. Spottiswood has
never been west before, but during a vaca-
ton spent upon the Maine coast she met one
who she considered must be a typical west
ern woman. She was bright, breezy, ener-
getio and had a merry, contagious laugh.
Surely. she was of the west. Inquiry, how
ever, divulged the astonishing fact-she came
from classic Boston.
A number Of the delegates were invited to
read the two-minute report OF their clubs.
Mrs. d.. G. McKellip Of Seward delivered
hers in rhyme, to the enjoyment of all. Sew
eral other reports showed considerable orig
inality in presentation. After a motion had
prevailed to discontinue the reading Of the
reports, because of lack Of time, Mrs. Peattie.
acting president, asked the federation's in
diligence that she might hear the report OF
the Violet club Of Holdrege. Miss Katie
Hymer came forward and read a report as
modest as its author, and her clubs name
sake. This little club consists of fourteen
girls. The youngest member Is IA years old
and the eldest is IS. They hold regular meet
ings and pursue a definite course of study.
They organized In 1898. The federation would
have missed much had not the presidents
tact called forth this report.
The federation is composed Of forty clubs
and represents over 1000 women. Each club
was represented at this gathering by one or
more delegates. The register showed that
twenty-four different towns were represented.
or the presidents, who compose the board OF
directors, there were thirty present. There
were between fifty and sixty delegates, and
over sixty visitors.
The constitution provides for a nominating
committee, who shall present two names for
each office. Upon these the delegates ballot.
In this manner the following officers were
chosen:
President, Mrs. A. w. Field of Lincoln;
vice president, Mrs. Belle Stoutenburg. Platts-
mouth; secretary, Miss Hascal, Stromsburg;
treasurer, Mrs. Roseman, Fremont; auditor,
Mrs. o. A. Abbott, Grand Island.
WILL n
The principal matter of discussion of the
session was upon the subject of a circulating
library. Mrs. Stoutenburg OF Plattsmouth
ably championed this project, and was as
sisted by Mrs. Harris, Mrs. McMurphy, Mrs.
Towne and others. Many of the clubs are
quite beyond the reach Of public libraries, and
the books that are needed for study and refer
ence are not to be obtained. A resolution
was adopted providing for a committee OF five
to be appointed by the president, two Of whom
shall be from the cities and three from
smaller towns, who shall draw up outlines of
study in English literature. English. French
and German history, sociology and art, and
have power to purchase such books as shall
be deemed necessary to carry on these
studies. These outlines will be offered to
such clubs as are in doubt as to a course OF
study. This resolution also suggests that
each member of the clubs which belong to the
federation pay the small sum OF 10 cents to
add to this library fund. Such a contribution
from Omaha will mean about $50, from Lin
coin as much and from Fremont 500; In all, a
sum of 5000 will thus be raised. That there
might be a small nucleus, a free will Offering
was taken at the last session and $25 was thus
obtained. Mrs. Ella w. Peattie was made
custodian of the funds and possessions OF the
library.
After some discussion, following a short
talk on the subject by Mrs. Frank Heller Of
Omaha, 1t was decided TO accept the invita-
tion Of the Crete Chautauqua assembly and
hold there a meeting. The OIL
GERS were instructed to prepare a program for
one day and evening. Many club women
throughout the state will have access to this
gathering that are unable to reach the
autumn meeting.
On Thursday evening the City Federation Of
Lincoln gave a reception to the delegates at
the beautiful home Of Mr.. and Mrs. A. j.
Sawyer. No pains were spared to make this
a most happy occasion. The rooms were very
full, but many pleasant acquaintances were
made and much pleasant converse was en-
joyed.
The Dewey children sang and we're greatly
enjoyed. Mrs. Percy Ford OF Omaha. Mrs.
Thomas N. Miller and Mrs. Joseph Wurzburg
added to the evenings entertainment by fur
nishing musical numbers.
There are four points worthy OF especial
remark in this meeting OF the federation.
which will make 1t long remembered by all:
First-The variety and unquestioned ex-
cellency OF every number Of the program.
Second-The sympathetic attention OF large
and unusually intelligent audiences.
Third-The perfect grace, dignity and happy
tact Of Mrs. Peattie, the presiding officer,
and
Fourth-The magnificent generosity, kind
illness and hospitality Of the ladies OF Lin
coin.
A Tame HumminE Bird.
A tame humming bird, which had been
domiciled at Mr.. and Mrs. Whitten's, near
- uz,.. all % nII nrahaHI oil