The Washington bee., 1896-07-25

Ington by the ColOred pupils OF Dotli
sexes; so great was it tat he had
wondered at it. Then he looked at
the other side of the picture, and told
of those living in the slums of the city,
surrounded by disease, filth, and
other influences that tended to degrade
-" 1t is the plan ofthose who have been
fortunate so far as the worlds goods
and education are concerned, he de-
clared, "to see to these people where
ever they are Society is SO inteTWo-
ven in its relations that we cannot
afford to have this blot upon the Cap
ital's eSCutcheon." Commissioner
Ross called the attention of the Fede-
ration to the Girls Reform School,
and asking them to compare Its
method of curing evil with that of the
Jail and the workhouse. They were
orthy of careful study. He conclu-
ded with sentiments of welcome.
Mrs. Matthews said she was glad the
Commissioner so we'll understood the
spirit and purposes of the Federation,
and that SO many white people were
present, as it was not we'll known that
the cOlored people were doing so we'll
for themselves. Mrs Matthews re-
ferred to the convict lease system IN
the South, and made fervent appeal
for an expression of public sentiment
against what was debasing thousands
of the coored youth of that section.
MRS RUFFIN's RESPONSE.
Mrs. Josephine St Pierre Ruffin, of
the Women's Era, Boston, in reply to
the Commissioners welcome address,
heartily thanked him In the name OF
the organization. She told of the
early efforts to start the organization,
of the aid given by Frederick Doug
lass, and said she believed the best
way to do the most effective work was
to educate the young.
The presiding officer then intro
duced Mother" Harriet Tubman,
now eighty years Of age, who is credi-
ted with having aided more escaped
slaves to reach the Union lines by way
of the underground railroad " than
any other individual Mother Tubman
was greeted with the Chautauqua
salute. She told of little anecdote
of her own experience during the war,
and sang a genuine old plantation
song, which aroused great enthusiasm
DR.. Alexander Crummell, of St. |
EpIS(OpdI NlllIl(lI al [
address in his own eloquent fashion. I
He spoke in detail of the conditions
among the colored people that con-
fronted the Federation if they wished
to work reform, and said that one
great thing was needed, better wo-
manhood.
The committee to confer with that |
Of the National League Of Afro Amer
can Women, with a view to union
between composed of Mrs. Victoria
Earl Matthews, Mrs. NJ c. Terrell,
Mrs Selma Butler, Mrs. Rosa d. Bow
ser, Mrs. L. c. Anthony, Mrs. J. St. P.
R uffin, and Mrs Ella S. Moore.
Mrs. La Fetra, Mrs. Ruth, G.. D.
Havens, Mrs. Rosetta d. Sprague,
Prof Jesse Lawson, Hon. R. Lynch,
ex-senator Bruce, and others were
to the audience, and some
made brief addresses.
SECOND DAYS SESSION.
The second day of the Fraternal !
Federation was we'll attended.
The programme was of a literary
nature.
The reports made from clubswere
made by Mrs Jerome JefSey, of RocA-
,ster, n. Y, and others.
The evening session, although it
aimed was very well attended. The
Committee from the National League
consisted of Mrs. A V. Tompkins, of
If West Virginia; Anna Jones of Kan
,as; Julia F. Jones, of Philadelphia
Mrs Fannie Jackson, of Kansas City;
Florence A. Barber, of Norfolk, Va
Nice + + q Merit of this civ |
The Committee that represented the
Federation was Mrs. M. c. Terrell, of
Memphis, Tenn; who was chairman
If the Joint committee; Mrs Victoria
:. Matthews, of New York; Mrs.
Rosa d. Bowser, of Richmond, Va;
.1rs Josephine Ruffin, Of Boston Mrs.
Addie Hunter, of Richmond and Mrs.
selma Buffer Of Atlanta. The report
vas as follows:
It is hereby stipulated.
That we do consolidate under the
lame of the National Association of
Iolored Women.
That officer shall be chosen on a
,asis of Equality by joint committee.
That neither Association shall as
ume any of the liabilities of the other
incurred prior to the consolidation.
That the new Association shall sup
'ort the work already planned by each
# the old organizations.
That Joint Committee should draft
constitution and elect officers for the
nsuing year.
Mrs. Fanny Jackson Capin, of Phila-
Ielphia, was introduced and delivered
n excellent address.