The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-06
How Federationists Federate.

| Hutchinson, Kan. May a-Weil. II one
has never attended a woman's meeting.
should like to have him be present at such
a one as I saw last night.
| The Presbyterian church, so prettily deco
rated with plants and flowers. was filled
with men and women-mark the word
men," None Of your Wichita aloofness
| as regards the sterner sex. Why! we even
had two beautiful numbers given us by
the Hutchinson Male Chorus. 'Tis true
they were not so strikingiy handsome as
| some OF our Wichita men, but they could
| sing. and sing beautifully. And then the
president of the Commercial club welcomed
| US right heartily in a neat little speech.
| And what sprinkling of men through the
audience. Why, II was a source Of wonder
| and comment. For even in Wichita such
| things are uncommon.
Let me tell you right now something
about this wonderful Commercial club.
Last year when the question came up
Where shall we hold our state meeting
for 49," and Wichita very cordially invited
il to meet with her, Hutchinson woman
| in the most fiowery speech urged her claim
and. producing a telegram. said: The
Hutchinson Commercial club hereby cor
daily invite the State Federation TO meet
can to give them a pleasant time It's
needless to say they won the day. Fancy
some clubs we know saying sue a. thing.
We would hold up our hands in wonder
and refuse TO believe our ears.
Another thing that 1 am sure you would
marvel at is this: They actually listened
to some classical music and seemed to en-
joy it. Now, they-the audience, l mean
were either very cultured or something
serious was the matter. True this is must
cal Hutchinson, but that can hardly ac
count for the fact that not more than
half dozen at most whispered or yawned.
You know this was the opening session,
addresses Of welcome, music and the Ike.
All of the clubs here gave US warm well
come. and the response was made by Mrs.
{. H. Cushing Of Leavenworth, a woman
OF great refinement and strength of char
acter. The first president of the Fedora
ton in so, she has been closely identified
with the work ever since. Her voice. once
60 firm yet gentle, is somewhat weak and
wavering now, but the mind back Of it all
is as Strong and as interested In matters Of
vital Importance as it ever was.
And who can look at Mrs. Willis Lord
Moore, our present president, without say
ing, What magnificent woman Tall.
OF splendid physique. commanding in APP
pearance, her peculiar earnestness of man
ner, combined with a low musical voice
and fine articulation, make her a most
pleasing speaker.
1t was quite amusing when a man in the
audience rose and, having asked the privi-
lege Of few words. with the promise tina.
he would be very meek and humble, took
the occasion to present very unique gavel
20 I've -
exchange for his wife" The gavel. while
appearing to be all of silver. had the ''bus.-
ness end of rock salt. cur:ously set in,
and the handle of wood, was made Of the
first rake that ever raked out salt in Hutch
inson.
Mrs Scammon, for two years president
Of the Federation, gave very strong talk
on her reasons for the decline Of friendship
between men and women, and giving num-
erous ways for men to remedy the fault
but ignoring the fact that women had
much to do in the matter. Mrs. Scammon
has a very magnetic manner and readily
convinces an audence>in her way of think
ing.
Wednesday a. m.-Bus:ness. business,
business! How some women do hate even
the word. Roll call, letters and reports
made up the morning session and some lit
tie whispering and visiting was INDUCED
in, to the annoyance of the officers. But
women must talk, especially when they
have not seen one another for a long time,
and the sociabil:ty of club women is vne OF
the most attractive features of a Fedora
ton meeting. The sparkle of the eye ana
the hearty handicap fail to notice whether
the spring bonnet is of the latest shape and
highest price. but welcome the delegate as
q wolnan and welcome her right heartily.
Fifty-seven clubs and fifty individual
members make up the State Federation. in
GLIDING altogether 1859 members. And real
~ you will be surprised when / tell you
that We have sl0eT IN the treasury. Just
think Of it,
A very cordial and complimentary letter
from Mrs. Henrotin, president of the Cen
eral Federation, regarding her inability TO
be present, as she had anticipated. closed
the morning session.
MABEL MILLISON.