New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-21
MEMBERSHIPS NEW WOMEN.
MEETING OF THE STATE FEDERATION
OF WOMEN'S CLUBS.
THEY FAVOR PRESERVATION OF THE FORESTS
AND THE PALISADES. EDUCATION FOR
HOME LIFE AND REFORM IN
DIVORCE LAWS

DIVORCE LAWS.
Trenton. March 20 (SpccaD.-The New-Jersey
Federation of Womens Clubs represented by
800 of the leading women Of the state. met to-
day in the Assembly chamber of the State House.
Mrs. Washington A. Roebling was the Trenton
hostess Of the Federation and she early
the State House TO that the chamber in
readiness to receive the guests. There were
decora lions Of any kind. The programme
bounced that Governor Griggs and Mrs. Roebling
would deliver addresses OF welcome and the first
disappointment OF the day upon learning
that business of State prevented the attendance
Of the Governor. The Jersey City, Newark.
Orange and Union County clubs arrived a
chartered train. and Il vas nearly when
Mrs. Margaret T. Yardley. of the Women's East
Orunge Club and the North Jersey delegation
appeared. BY this time every available space
was occupied, and without further ceremony the
president introduced Mrs. Roebling the near
est approach to club woman in Trenton. who
could welcome the delegates
Mrs. Roebling said that the honor Of hostess
fell upon her as the Trenton member of Soross.
She called attention to the fact that women made
their first public demonstration in Trenton on
April 81 l7S9 when Washington passed through
the town on his way to be inaugmated. Womans
work from that time until 1924, she said. was not
recorded. In the latter year Jane Wilson was
appointed postmstress and served ten years
OTHER STATES REPRESENTED.
In response President Yardey expressed the
thanks of the officers Of the association for the
great interest taken by the clubs and told OF the
work during the year. II not expected that
ANYTHING would be accomplished at this meeting
further than to throw out suggestions for the
members of the clubs to discuss at their club
= r,p1FD Mrc
Lillian c. streeter president of the NewHamp-
shire Federation: Mrs H. F. Dowst. president Of
the Maine Federation and Miss Knight Of the
Rhode Island Federation. were called and
gave the greetings of their respective federatons.
Mrs Jennie c. Croly Jennie June president
Of the New-Yorl Federation. was introduced
amid loud applause the FIRST clubwoman OF
America" After congratulating the New-Jersey
Federation and saying that New-York women's
clubs had membership of 5000, Mrs. Croly said
that she regretted Ia wing gone from New-Jersey
TO live in New-York
Il am really sorry. even now" said the speaker.
81 used to live in Orange. ! think III return
Your politics must certainly have changed since
you can find the Federation OF Women's Clubs
meeting in the State Hous. at Trenton"
Mrs Frances Tod Helmuth. president Of So
rosls told of the benefit Of women's clubs In
Maine. and she was followed by Mrs. Llewellyn
Johnson Of East Orange, who read paper on
"The Scope of the Federation" Mrs Johnson de-
clared that the present meeting exemplified the
benefit of organization One Of the movements
that appealed especially TO the Federation was
the matter of travelling libraries because 1t was
a part of that great positive movement - educa-
ton that the club stood for. and because Il uld
be brought about only by the united efforts u
the women OF New-Jersey. Another educational
feature that could be- taken up by the Federation
was in making known the needs Of Evelyn Co-
lege Every clubwoman ought TO become mem
Der Of the Evelyn Association. she said. A sys-
tenn Of free kindergartens should be encouraged
SHOULD VOTE on SCHOOL QUESTIONS.
whatever be our individual convictions or
pIejudlces regarding the ballot for women said
Mrs. johnson, I'VE ought TO throw the whole
weight Of our influence on the side Of school
Suffrage"
Mrs. Johneon's paper was discussed by Mrs
Dr. Luther Of the Current Topics Club. OF New
ark; Mrs Miller Of Plaihfed: Mrs. Thomasson.
OF East Orange. and Mrs Crorer OF Salem.
At the afternoon session. Mrs. Ecith Mccarthy.
of Planfeld discussed the Forestry Interests
Of New-Jersey," in able paper After review
ing the destructive losses by fire IN Europe and
the Western States she said: 1--WE Of the East
hope we are soon TO hear Of Palisades reserva
ton Of 1000 acres on the Hudson. The bluffs and
slopes contain Of the noblest scenery In the
verdi scenery which, meantime as you know.
is being ruthessly and rapidly deseorated by the
quarrymen's attacks"
Mrs Mccarthy called particular attention to
the needs of the forestry of NewJersey, and de-
clared the State should right now lay It's hand
upon the forests and forever preserve and pro
tect them frcm destruction" She ended by ex-
| 1.<.f,. clio
ture adjourns a forestry commission will be APP
pointed and radical. practical policy enforced,
which shall save the remnants Of the forest.
Professor John Griffith told graphic story Of
forest fire fighting In South Jersey. and Mrs.
| NJ H. Coston, Of the New-York Press Club, dis
| crssed village improvemen by societies Mrs.
| E. y. Horton. Of Crawford, advocated the estab-
| shment OF travelling Libraries. to be controlled
| by the State. Her idea was TO enable the people
| Of the towns to have get Of standard books for
| given time for certain price and then ex
| change with another town for different books
The speakers OF the day Miss Katherine
| Il. Davis Of Philadelphia. and Miss Annie Beas-
| ton Of Camden Miss Davis took for her subject
| cussed xThe Woman's Place To-Day" Miss
| Davis Advocated a thorough course in the
| sciences for the young girl. She said that when
| the subject OF broadening the womans mind
! was first agitated IL feared that /, would
| unfit her for the home and for being mother.
| Perhaps there was some reason for this thought
| she said. but II to-day the wOmans clubs would
educate the women thoroughly In their homo
duties the complaint would be removed
UNFAIR DIVORCE LAWS.
Miss Beaston called attention TO the marriage
| and divorce laws, quoting those OF the different
| States and declaring them unjust to women. In
| a Western State she said judge divorced
| himself because his wife "in the dumps for
| three days She declared that the NewYork
| laws were tyrannica so far the mother
| involved "She has no rights her child
from the moment she brings the soul into the
| world" she declared.
Miss Beaston told OF in which mother
| was deprived OF her child against her Will and
/ l. LII l.1x H. IL