Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-01-21
NEW-CCNTURY CLUB.

1
club song, accompanied by the plate
from which they were printed. A ris-
ing vote of thanks was given to the
| donors,
The chairman of the educational
committee quoted from the report of
the superintendent of our public schools
the statement that there are, in the
various schools of the city, 81 rooms
not in use, and in those east OF Market
street 800 unoccupied seats, while
numbers OF children spend their time
In the streets, growing up in Ignorance
and vice. We cannot afford 10 he in
different TO such condition Of affairs
in our midst. A resolution favoring an
appeal to the proper authorities for
compulsory education was endorsed by
the club. 1t was stated that they have
compulsory education even in the Sand
wich Islands.
| A tribute of affection and respect was
paid to the memory of Mad, Augusta
Lecon!pte by whose death the club has
lost valued member.
Before the Current Events Glass Miss
Sarah N. Fell gave an account OF a
recent visit to Mexico, and graphically
described the magnificent scenery and
vegetation, and the glimpses she caught
of Mexican life and customs. Mrs.
Joseph Swift told of musical happen
ings and DR.. Hannah Thompson gave
valuable advice about the rearing of
children. Mrs Lindley C. Kent spoke
OF the flood of new books issued in the
past year, and considered our thanks
due to the publishers thai it was not a
deluge, as they accepted and printed
but small proportion OF those offered
them.
Miss Hilles read letter from one OF
Clara Barton's assistants, giving an
account of what he did and saw in
Armenia; where, though much help
has been given, far more is still needed.
She was accompanied by an Armenian
lad, placed in her care by Lady Henry
Somerset, who is stationed in Mar
settles to receive and forward refugees.
This youth escaped from massacre
in Stamboul by feignng death MS
he lay in the street covered by the
bodies of his slaughtered countrymen.
He distributed pamphlets issued by the
Armsnian Relief Society, asking for
aid for widows and orphans. Miss
Hilles is encouraged by the sum already
received in answer to the appeal to
hope that the club will still further
show it's interest in the sufferers, in
this substantial manner.
The celebration Thursday of the
clubs eighth anniversary was brill
liant affair. The auditorium was
decorated with garlands of ground pine
and knots of crimson ribbon, and with
potted plants, but It's best adornment
was by the bright-faced, tastefully.
dressed women who filed it 10 over
| MI
prominent members of other clubs,
Miss Mather presided with her usual
grace, and introduced as prelude to
the mornings entertainment 1.-The
Club of 'le OldeD Time, an old
fashioned tea party, adopted from 1.-The
Minister'S Wooing," by Mrs. Stowe.
Half a dozen ladies', in quaint cos.
tunes, gathered around Mrs. Scudder' q
tea table. and while her pretty daugh-
ter waited upon them they praised the
fins linen, aud the viands, all home
made, which adorned it, and discussed
the gossip OF the neighborhood.
The first address was "Our Grand.
mother" the Sorosis Of New York, by
its founder, Mrs. Jennie G. Croly
tJennie June. 1t originated as a pro.
test against the action of the New York
Press Club in refusing to allow the
woman journalists OF New York. OF
whom Mrs. Croly Was prominen,
member, to participate in the press
dinner given to Charles Dickens ia
> 1868. Mrs. Croly invited the aggrieved
! ones TO meet at her home, and of those
who responded IL determined to unite
: in an association for intellectual anG
! social purposes, and thus was formed
! the first wuman's club. 1t included
such well known women as Alice ano
Phebe Gary, Kate Field. Mary Booth,
1 Mrs. Henry NJ. Field, Mrs. Ella Dieta
Clymer, Elizabeth Peabody and Katha
rine Sedgwick. Alice Cary was the
first president.
: To atone for its discourtesy the Prest
Club invited the new association to {
o breakfast, hut did not ask them t.
speak, even 10 tcasts in their honor
The Sorosis responded by tea a
! which the men were RELOCATED to thu
; subordinate position OF guests, and wert
] not allowed TO make any speeches
, Then the two clubs united in Dime
2 where brilliant speeches we're made b,
! members OF each. Since then tn
! Sorosis has outlved, and lived down
sneers. satire and Misrepresentation
: anu can point to many good works il
u Is own city, as well as to the number
!, less women's clubs all over our Liant
q that risa up and call it blessed TO
u opening the way for so much improve
II ment, pleasure and happiness for thei
members.
Among its Influences for good wa
the memorial to the University Of Net
IT York and to Columbia College, prayin
that their doors might be opened t
n women, Of which Barnard College i
* the result. In its early years Sorosi
T. had no such audiences an this of to
: day, no speakers with trained voicp
r and lives built up by club influences
!. and she felt thar they, the pioneers
:, must take a back seat before the splen
:. 'lid young wOmanhuod that represent
lr the club of to-day.
n Tbe president, remarkiug that n
birthday party can be complete withou
IL the presence of the mother, introduce
10 Mrs. NJ. H. hall, president of the Ne
e Century Club of Philadelphia, ou
I'd mother club, and she, mother wis'
uttered warning, that we must M
allow our great success to lessen OF
efforts, or our satisfaction with OF
a. fortunate position to be go complete q
y to hinder our progress, or suffer tia
10 the work that should he done by man
10 ba left to "a few.
30 The Song of the Years" the wore
10 ny Mrs Susan Mari Spading. Ii
T. music by Miss Emma Lore, followed
is The eye was gratitied, as well AZ :h
IN ear. for elght young girls, representa-
10 the eight years of the Clubs life, wei