Birmingham state herald., 1896-10-01
4 CONGRESS OF MOTHERS The Most Unique AsSembIage in
 American History TO LEGlSLATE FOR FlRESlDES Matrons : = the Several States Will Assem-
 Fs Washington In February. MS. 1s 2 BERT AMONG THE PROMOTERS A 2 objects Which Relate to the Homo X. Win Be Discussed - The Manner $ in Which the Delegates
 are to Be Chosen.
TO LEGISLATE FOR FlRESIDES
MISS q BERT AMONG THE PROMOTERS

| Washington, Sept 30.-The national | congress of mothers will convene in this | city on a date to be yet determined, in l February, 1897.
 | The promoters of this great enterprise
 have been actively engaged since that l publication in making the preliminary | arrangements for the holding of the con- | Vention or congress. An office has been | established at No. HOO New Hampshire l avenue, from which will be distributed all the information desired by those who | take an interest i'll the matters to come | before the body and it's results. The idea of the congress was broached | at small gatheing of prominent women of this country which was held at the | suggestion of Mrs. Kate Walter Barrett | early in the summer. It was determined l at that time to enlist the sympathy first l Of the leading women of the United States l and If possible those from the other side l Of the Atlantic and so far there has been 1 wide and important indorsement of the | design.
 Among those who are in sympathy with l the movement in Washington are Mrs. Adlai Stevenson, Mrs. John G. Carlisle, Miss Herbert, Mrs. William l.. Wilson, Mrs. Judson Harmon Miss Morton, Mrs. Ella Herbert Micou, Mrs Phoebe Hearst, Mrs. II. w. Fuller, Mrs. A A. Birney.
 Mrs. T. ". Birney.
 The principal topic of discussion, aI-
 though it will take a wider range, will be the Influence of woman on the home, how it can best be exerted, and how many of the present ills may be averted, or, as it is comprehensively stated by the management, "a centraization of the power of women toward the accomplish ment of great and necessary reforms i'm the interest of humanity" The scope of the work will be found in the following statement, which was given out yesterday from the headquar- ters of the congress:
 Tt is proposed to have the congress consider all the subjects which relate td l the home, especially those bearing upon the better and broader moral and physl- | cal, as well as mental, training of the | young, such as the value of kindergarten work and the extension of its principles | to more advanced studies love of hu- manity and country the physical and mental evils resulting from some of the present methods of our schools, and the advantages to follow from a closed re- lation between the influence of the home and that of institutions of learning. "Of especial importance will be the sub, ject of the means of developing in chi1- dren characteristics which will elevate and ennoble them, and thus assist in overcoming the conditions which now prompt crime and make necessary the
 maintenance of jails, work houses and re-
 formatories.
 "These matters will be presented to
 the congress by men and women foremost
 in such work and whose names are every-
 where known and revered.
 "As the time intervening between
 this and the mothers congress Is com
 paratively brief, it behooves all who feel
 an interest in the cause to be up and
 doing. The plan of procedure is simple;
 every city and town and village has it's
 organizations, it's clubs for various pur-
 lot noo oh me nf aaI aiaT
 meeting and form a mothers club, in which all can unite.
 "We will furnish on application from the secretary of such club, suggestions
 which may prove helpful in the conduct of the meetings, ~Ach should be held every week for a while, if possible, in order that the need for this work may be | clearly set forth and that delegates may l be decided upon for the national congress l in February.
 'It is desired that all who can will att l tend the national meeting: but as 1t is l possible that only a minor proportion of | the mothers will be able to come, it is | essential for each organization to send at least one delegate, who can carry back a detailed account of the meetings and be prepared to instruct the home club in the methods to be pursued for ensuing years 1t being part of the plan to have the national Organization hold regular annual meetings hereafter. IL IS our expectation 10 nave Sucn a gathering of representative workers for the benefit of the human race that the divine fire of their enthusiasm will warm the hearts not only of all mothers but of all mankind, to an appreciation of the sacred obligations owed to the race through the children of today and the generations to come. Among these will be many who are not mothers, but who, through their works. have shown themy selves possessed of q maternal instinct in its highest and hoiiest sense and who will. therefore, be most welcome. "Everything will be done to make the expenses of those attending the meeting as light IS possible. Assurances have al- ready been received from railroad men that satisfactory special rates will be | made. suitable boarding places at reason- able prices will be secured in advance by | the local committee. and many houses | will be open for the entertainment of | delegates as guests. The sum necessary l to establish and maintain an office in | Washington. to supply and distribute | printed matter, to carry on correspond- l once and to defray the other local and | immediate expenses incident to the prac- l tical inauguration of this great project has been given by friend of the move- ment."