The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-05-20
WOMAN'S COUNCIL.
Holds Its Annual Meeting Vest er-
day.
ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.
MRS. MERRILL.

Old Board of Officers Observation-Disclosures
of the Various Societies and Officers
A Children's Celebration of 4th of
July Talked of.
The WoInan's Council of Portland
held Its annual meeting at Bosworth
Post Hall yesterday afternoon and there
was good attendance.
The president Mrs. Margaret L. W. Mer-
rill called the nesting to order and
prayer was offered by Mrs. Robert L.
Hack.
Mrs, L. NJ. N. Stevens took the chair
aud Mrs. Merrill read her address which
was as follows:
MRS. MERRILL'S ADDRESS.
A twelve month ago we met as we
meet today TO review our yearly council
record. Since that time the council idea
embodied in the motto, each for All
and all Tor Each" has been gradually
gaining de1nitenass among its me NJ bers,
and IN the community through The prac-
tlcal object lessons developed.
/. The first of these lessons was the OBJ
servance of our national holiday.in the in
Jecest OF patriotic education of the chill
dren in our public schools.
An appeal to the city fathers for an
appropriation to help defray expenses of
such an observance met with "a cordial
and generous response, the mayor grant
ing the use Of city hall from III to 10 on
the morning of the Fourth.
The band played inspiring music,
our national hymns were sung. the chill
dren taking part in the singing and reoi-
tations, while the speakers led by the
vice president at large plead for the more
thorough study of our country's history
aud more reyerent honoring of the flag
by our children. The result of this ven
turs has satisfactory compensations for
the time, thought, work and means ex-
pended and gives encouragement to re-.
peat it with improvements the coming
Fourth.
Q. At this time and at the suggestion
of Mrs. Hunt the council decided to en-
graft upon its work a course of lectures
on business topics during the autumn
and following winter. The course be-
gan with a public meeting in November
last and was to continue monthly inter
walls through December, January, Febru-
airy and March.
This was done with the exception of
the February lecture, the reason for
which you Will readily and regretfully
recall. Instructions on the topics selected
his not hitherto been regarded as be-
longing unnecessary 10 a woman's educa-
ton. The thought arose in my mind,
unexpressed however, that there might
appear to oursprofessional brothers dash
OF temerity IN the request to leave their
busy offices for the purposes Of bringing
the hard earned results of study and ex-
perience to such unaccustomed listeners.
Any such suspicion was dissipated by
the prompt courtesy with which it was
granted. The audiences were intelligent,
giving closest attention to the lectures
and evincing THUR appreciation of the
questions which followed. These and
other instances Of courteous consideration
are most encouraging to the self-respect-
ing endeavors of women to stand as
equals by tie side of men in all relations
OF life.
3. Again in accordance with vote of
the council Miss Arnold, supervisor of
the Boston public Schools was engaged
for Jan. 20 to address the parents and
teachers Of the children Of our city
schools.
large audience gathered at the hall
OF the high school building to listen to
her presentation of the improved meth
ods of education and her own long and
and training. She spoke for nearly two
hours without notes and closed with
warm testimony to the good work of
women on the Boston school boards.
Strenuous efforts to seoura the electio n
Of women candidates on our own super
intending school committee has for years
proved unavailing. But believing in
the necessity of strictest vigilance on the
part Of the school committee and in the
general benefcent influences arising
from such representation. the women of
the city will never be satisfied till they
have h direct voice in the conduct Of
our public schools.
To this end on learning of the conten,-
plated revision of the city charter the
council petitionetl for provision therein
whereby three of the committee should
be women.
T. The fourth object lesson provided
by the council was all entertainment
for the school children or Washington
birthday. Decidedly meeting of young
America, it vas most interesting to OBJ
serve it's intelligent enjoyment of the
historical (stereoptics) pictures illustra-
tive of patriotic services. The daily
journals noticed this feature of the
days observance as most appropriate and
successful.
5. The last of the councils lessons WAS
q series of parliamentary lectures given
in this h ali by Mrs. Stevens-timely and
necessary helps, as all who lead the meet
ings of our women's organizations un-
derstand Not only should those called
upon to preside bs 'sat home" with the
''rules of the order" but all who "be-
long" should be SO we'll informed upon
them RS always to help rather than to
hinder the dispatch of business matterH.
l hope it is clear to your minds that
whatever has been accomplished through
.za--