The Portland daily press., 1895-05-11

| cutIS.
A vase of mayfowers upon the speak
er's desk was the only attempt al deco
ration. The able address of the presi-
dent, Mrs. Margaret T. II. Merrill, was
delivered in her most impressive man
ner.
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
The first worldwide call for an Inter-
national Council of Women was made at
Washington, C., in 1887. In response
to this call, the representatives of 81 nat
ional organizations, from seven different
countries assem- bled in Warrington, March
2, 1855. The key note to this gathering
was set TO the menora bic words: "A
difference of opinion on one (subject)
question must not prevent US from
working unitedly in those on which we
can agree" A suggestion that the re-
suits of this gathering should take per-
manent form, was carefully considered,
and out of it arose the International
Council of Women and the National
Council of the United States. both Or
ganized, and their central board of Off
GERS elected March 81, 1883.
The motto chosen was: LEAD, Kind
ly Light" the device, lighted candle
shining amid the surrounding dark
ness.
The council idea elaborated from the
above words, is set both in the preamb BILE
to the constitution.
These general lines of work had been
undertaken by the standing committees
Equal pay for equal work" Divorce
REFORM" Improved Dress" and later
on. patriotic instruction." as shown
by TIE following resolution:
"Whereas, There is manifest need for
instruction in constitutional govern
ment in our public schools and of more
direct method of cultivating a broader
spirit of nationality among the children
of the country, based upon the Decla-
ration of Independence and the princi-
| Piles of universal liberties and equal
rights to all inculated therein; il is
therefore
Resolved: That the National Council
of Women approve of the great move
ment to teach patriotism in the sch ools
| of the United States, and of placing
feg on every school house and in every
school room in the land, and that a COM
mittee on patriotic teaching be added to
the list Of standing committees of the
council"
AS to the aims and scope of the coun-
Gil, it has proved to the satisfaction OF
it's members that these PRIMAL meet
| ingS secure for is organizations larger
hearing than at separate conventions,
and it is equally true that the indivldu-
al is broadened and her life enriched by
the respect she learns to feel for the
work Of those from these whose opin-
ions she may radically differ, but whose
nobility of effort for the uplifting of
humanity inspires her with profound
sympathy. The briefest history of this
first lesson must always include it's rec
ond in connection with the Worlds Con-
gress of Representative Women. But for
the generous work and financial support
acc orded by the national and internat-
ional councils, as hostess of the foreign
delegates that immense assembly conld
not have been brought together. On
account of the Worlds Fair, or rather
of the important past takes in it by
the council i'll the Congress of Women.
the second triennial due in 1894, was
deferred to the present year.
A the Worlds Fair the impetus given
the women of France. Belgium, Switzer-
land, Germany and Canada are well Or
ganiZed, and the women of Italy. orga-
nizing under Queen Margherita, and the
women of Siam, with the influence and
approval of it's late King, ars taking the
initial steps Ito dc so. On this account,
when the second triennial convened in
Washington, FEBRUARY 10, to March 2,
the number of the National Associa-
TONS members had increased to IS,
representing constituency OF 700, 900,
working in unity i'll the seven great lines
of religion, philanthrophy, education,
the professions, social, moral and gov
| ernment reforms.
In the meantime provisions had been
made for state and local councils. Tex
as has entered as q state council. The
local councils are 10 in nun Der. The
motto of the Memphis giving the finest
expression of the council idea: "All
| for each, and each for ALL" These coun-
ellis quoting as I have before done from
Mrs. Kate Sherwood, are full of promise.
In one city free kindergartens have been
the outgrowth; in another, a woman
has been placed on the school board;
in another it has opened communication
with the municipal government, thus
securing influence with the boards of
health and pu bile works in securing nee
essary sanitary and police regulations:
in another it is starting a crematory
for the destruction of refuse and garb-
age: and in another it has largely abat-
ed the saloon evils. In the cities the
local councils are considering the orga-
nization of industrial schools and
schools for training girls fol domestic
service.
The Portland Council was organized
in the autumn OF 1892, and held us first
public meeting April Il, 1898. During
the two intervening years, it has held
meetings for the purpose of gaining a
know ledge of the methods and plans
of work of each individual society COM
posing it. 1t has been one aim not to
undertake anything which did not re-
eeive the hearty endorsement of all. In
the preamble to our constitution, it is
stated that we have banded ourselves
together in a federation of workers, COM
united to the promotion of education,
ana to the application of the golden rule
to society, custom and law.
} 1t has, therefore, entirely within the
scope Of the (Women's) Council to moth
Ell an effort to place women upon our
school board. Accordingly committees
were appointed to canvass the foul
wards where there were vacancies, and
to secure in each, if possible, tie name