The Advocate and news., 1898-03-16
Conference Of Reform Women.


tory gatherings Of that nature ever held
In the State. II had not been the pur-
pose to convene large body, but rather
a council representing different sections
Of the State that they might report the
sentiments and desires Of the women rel
ative to their action and efforts in the
field of sociological reform. The fore
noon session was devoted to consultation
and cosideration Of various propositions,
and the afternoon was occupied by the
formulation Of those propositions into
resolutions which were formally acted
upon and declared to be the sense Of the
conference
The first measure acted upon was that
Of holding a woman's mass convention
at the same place and one day prior to
the State convention of the Peoples
party. There was manifested an enthusi-
astic determination to endeavor to make
this the largest and most important wO-
mems meeting ever held in the State;
the convention to be held under the au-
spices Of the Woman's State Free Silver
League, and to be so broad and hospita-
bic in its nature as to enlist the cooper
alton Of all women who desire better
and nobler State, and who will en-
deavor to promote good citizenship.
Among those matters which the con-
ference passed upon for the considera-
ton Of the reform clubs now organized
and operating under various names were
some pertaining to State legislation. 1t
deemed unwise to attempt to cover too
wide range or to direct efforts to such
matters remote from the probabilities of
successful accomplishment seeking
rather to unity working force Of WO-
men, to perfect organization and pro-
mote acquaintance with such measures
as would most likely secure cooperation.
There was unanimous expression Of
belief that the economic reforms for
which the Peoples party and the "al-
lied silver forces" stand are in essence
great moral reforms upon which the
welfare Of society and home interests
depend; realizing the great value Of SEN
timent making there Is also the intelli-
gent conviction that 1t is in the domain
Of political action that sentiment must
be crystallized into law and rendered Op-
erative for good. Hence those things
which pertain to the conduct of political
parties and campaign are matters of
keen interest and deep solicitude. The
conference by vote recommended the wo-
mems reform clubs throughout the State
to take up for study the question, state
Insurance" with view to creating in
terest and disseminating information
previous to the assembling Of the next
regular session Of the Legislature.
The following resolutions were dis
cussed and unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That we will ask the Leg
islature to provide for system of tray
cling libraries" similar to that Of several
other States, whereby the best of litera-
ture, Of reference books and of other aids
to higher thought and brighter life may
be conveyed to the remote sections Of our
State. where our people are deprived Of
advantages with which more favored To-
Calities are supplied.
Resolved, That we will ask for law
placing the Industrial School for Girls at
Beloit under civil service reform.
Resolved, That we will ask that law
be enacted which will place two women
OH the State Board of Charities.
Resolved, That there shall be a woman
physician employed at the Girls Indus
trial School at Beloit.
SOAVOu' AAaC WhAle we FeCOSulZe Cne
great value Of song in campaign work
and recommend that special effort be
made to organize and train glee clubs,
we deprecate the use Of doggerel contain
Ing coarse sentiment, "hard hits at the
enemy" or any unkindness which tends
to repel and ALLEVIATE those whom we
desire to attract and to convert to our
high and noble standard of reform. Real
i2ing that the comic song has its uses,
and that a good laugh promotes good
feeling, we would not be understood as
discountenancing merriment and good
fun, but that the laugh should not carry
with 1t smart or sting.
Resolved, That reform clubs be asked
To make snnnial nnh annthoAio sL..a..