Kansas City daily journal., 1897-01-17
STATE FEDERATION OF CLUBS
WILL HOLD A THREE DAYS con-
YENTIoN IN THIS CITY.

Many Noted Women of Missouri and
Other States VIII BE in Attend
unce and Will Represent
Large Number of Clubs.
If the twentieth century IS to be dis
tinctively the age of feminine endeavor, it
Is certainly a fact that the women of Mis-
souri, are organizing with their sisters else
where in determination to secure good
start before the new century opens. 1t has
been repeated with all shades of meaning,
until it has become something of a trite
sarcasm, this denoninating Of the new CEN
tury as the apotheosis of women's infiu-
ence. But the ironical position so often as
sumed in regard to organized effort among
women often arises perhaps from a mis-
conception of the mental attitude of the
modern club women, and a habit of at
tributing to each one who steps aside a lit
tie from the familiar path of domestic du-
ties all the illoGlcalites. the crudities and
the mistakes which characterize the theo-
ries and career of the professional re-
former.
1t may be for the reason that it has long
been customary to portray the true"
woman as a somewhat impractical per-
sonage, whose views of life and duty were
fiowered with sentiment, and whose ideas
might be bright and noble, but would, for
some reason, never practically work out,
that 1t is with something of shock that
one realizes the vast number of altogether
average American women who have en-
tirely outgrown such a condition.
THE women of the Missouri State Fed
Grafton of Clubs, which will meet in Kansas
City next week, make no claims Of ex-
traordinary ability for themselves" said
one of the leading club women Of this city
at the meeting of the committees on en-
tertainment of the federation yesterday.
I'VE frankly say that We are simply aver
age women, who are striving TO see act
ual life clearly, and to keep as far from
abject sentimentaiity on the one hand as
from religious fanaticism upon the other.
We are conducting no aggressive campaign
of enlightenment, but rather, in the steady
process Of human growth, quietly coming
10 a realization that TO establish right and
correct conditions of growth may be as i'm
portant part of women's work as her old
duty Of alieviating the effects of mistaken
The impression that the women are or
ganlzing for the purpose of gaining indi-
Hidual notoriety, or Of upsetting the eX-
istng notions OF society, is indeed wrong
one 1t Is rather for self-improvement end
If possible, that they may give a little
practical. enlightened, everyday help in
this solution of the educational and phil
anthropic problems of the present time.
They are federating in order TO afford
machinery, as 1t were, through which they
may compare work and make the best
knowledge OF each member the common
property of all. Their endeavor is to Iaise
the average standard of life, and to
broaden the social aims of the community.
The federation idea has proven specially
valuable in the small towns Of this West
ern country, where the women's clubs usu-
ally give the strongest impetus toward
liberal culture and literary movements
and may, through organization, sustain and
broaden this impetus. The federation Ilul-
lifies the unfavorable influence of distance
and lack of acquaintance and brings the
women of the entire state together, infiu-
epcing them to make their Individual ef-
forts stronger. 1t aids them to compare
their methods and objects with those of
all the federated members and frequently,
by the comparison, to improve upon their
existing plans. 1t gives the small clubs,
especially those in small communities,
sense of largeness and their work becomes
ploportionately broader and higher.
Through what is termed in the federation
the bureau of reciprocity they are enabled
to secure addresses, programmes and Sug-
gestions, which prove valuable
This department receives contributions
federated clubs and while it imposes no
rules or set course of study, it is always
ready to furnish 10 either new or old
members, upon request, such papers, in
formation and suggestions as have proved
valuable.
The general federation issues, also, cards
of introduction of which thousands are in
use. When away from home, the bearer,
upon presenting this club, is made well
come into any, federated club: 1t means
recognition and friendship. The Missouri
State Federation Is member of the Cen
eral Federation of Women,s Clubs in
which every state in the Union, with the
exception of Mississippi is now represent
ed Each of these state declarations has
now some special line of work, usually of
an educational character, which II is pro-
noting. Similar organizations exist in Cam
ada, England, Italy, France, Germany,
Australia, and even in India.
The general federation, according to the
president Mrs. Henrotin, has an Austria
lian club in membership while the list
of honorary membership includes women
nv in fhs Tll ".
ada the Countess of Aberdeen has or
ganized a National Council of Canadian
Gil resembles that of the several fedora
tions in this country. All the sessions of
the Missouri State Federation, which con-
Venes in this city from next Tuesday
morning till the following Thursday even
ing, except the business meetings, are open
TO the public, and the capacity of Lyceum
hall, where the convention will be held,
is expected to be taxed TO accommodate
those who wish TO hear the addresses.
The various committees having the con-
Eenuon in charge met at Lyceum hall yes
terday morning. and reported that all the
arrangements had been perfected for its
met at the Union depot tomorrow evening"
and Tuesday morning and sent directly 10
the places provided for their entertain
ment.
The directors OF the federation will be
entertained at luncheon in the banquet
rooms of the Athenaeum Club Tuesday
noon. after the board meeting. on We1nes-
day and Thursday. Luncheon will be served
10 all the delegates attending, the officers
of the federation, those taking part in the
programme and as many out-of town guests
in addition as the rooms will accommodates
Dressing rooms have been fitted up, and
the hospitality of the twenty-one Feflerat-
ed Clubs in this city. is limited only by lack
of space.
Among many women of national promI-
nence who will attend the convention will
be Mrs. Richard p. Bland, wife of Silver
Dick Bland, of Lebanon, Mo; Mrs. j. w
Farris, wife of Speaker Farris of the
house; Mrs. Ellen NJ. Henrotin of Chica-
go, president of General Federation of
Deer Cove, Lynn, Mass, vice president
List of Delegates.
Shakespeare Club. of Lebanon-Mrs. r.
p Bland Mrs. j. W. Farrls.
Tourists Club CarthSEe-Mrs. b F.
Stickney Mrs. Howard Gray.
Wednesday Afternoon Reading Club
Cameron-Mrs. J. L. Goodrich Mrs. Z. c.
Woman's Club. HannibaI-Mrs. L. P.
Munger, Mrs. George L. Forester, Mrs. ].
: wednesday Club. St Louis-AIrs. F. D.
St. Louis Musical Club-AIrs. Philip N.
Moore, Miss Harriet T.. Sawyer.
Tourists Club, Brookfeld-Mrs. W. E.
Scott. Mrs. Winifred Stowell.
Century Club, Webster Grove-Miss Lucy
Alice HendriCk.
Woman's Club. Hannibal-Mrs. E B.
Fisher. Mrs. Robert Eliot.
Sorosis. Sedalia-Airs. ID. II. Smith. Miss
Sallie Potter Sneed
Clio Club Sedalia-AIiss Ida stillweIl
Mrs s =. Sneed.
Rocking Chair Club. Sedalia-Mrs. A. w.
Perry. Mrs. James q. White