The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-30
FROM THE FEDERATION TO
ALL WOMEN

1t is as natural for women to clean, scrub
and sweep it is for a duck to quack, wad-
die and swim. A woman may be member
Of a dozen clubs, but she will find some
thing to clean, just the same. even If she
doesn't stay in her own house longer than
to eat and sleep. The benign and health-pre-
serving impulse sometimes seizes the whole
federation. Note the following circular let
ter addressed to the womens clubs of Min
nesota:
1--WE appeal with confidence to the mem
bers of the clubs throughout the state to
secure their hearty and active cooperation
in the important work Of improving and beau
tifying its villages, towns and cities. What
is needed is intelligent leadership and united
efforts along the following lines: First-To
make the grounds at and about all school
buildings as attractive possible, giving
especial attention to the school buildings
in the country districts. Second-To have
the rubbish cleaned from vacant lots, as well
as from along streets, alleys and roadWays
Third-To have all parks and other public
grounds, whether about buildings or other
wise, beautifed especially church grounds
Fourth-To secure well-kept lawns and en-
courage the planting of trees along streets
and highways; the free distribution of flower
and garden seeds among those unable or In
disposed to purchase them, is recommended.
town in the way Of improving cemetery
grounds. Sixth-Interest the local press and
secure its aid in directing the attention of
people to the desirability of making their
grounds and their town more attractive" The
last paragraph calls attention to the forestry
resolutions which were passed by the general
federation two years ago, and read
Resolved, That a general federation
of womens cubs and as individuals, as far
DIoI ,rN
the study of forest conditions and resources
and to further the highest interests of our
several states in these respects, and
Whereas, The natural wealth of the state
OF Minnesota consists largely of forests the
protection and improved management of
which, as well the reforesting of denuded
waste lands, is a question of growing inter-
est; therefore.
Resolved, That the study and discussion
OF economic forestry in this state should be
taken up and generally encouraged. and that
a committee, with power to act be appoint
ed to carry this resolution into effect
The letter containing the resolution is
signed by Miss Margaret J. Evans, state pres-
dent of federated clubs, and by the COM
mittee on town and village improvements.
And, by the way, what has become of St.
Paurs Improvement league?
Another thing which the Liberation wants
the women, not Only to know, but to work
for, is the bill to be introduced in the next
legislature. providing for a state library COM
mission and a system Of travelling libraries
The object of this commission which is al
ready a successful institution of seven states
is to stimulate interest in libraries to give
help and advice in the organization of new
Libraries, to increase the efficiency of those
already existing, and to take charge of The
travelling libraries.
The advantages of the travelling libraries
are summed up as follows: They can he
loaned to towns having no library, and, by the
impetus given to reading habits, be nstru-
mental in forming permanent local library;
they can be loaned to small and struggling
libraries, thereby increasing their usefulness
by the addition of fresh material; they can
be loaned to clubs or classes which need Sc
lections of books on certain given topics they
can be loaned to villages or rural communi-
ties, and bring the possibility of a free
library within the reach of the smallest ham
Let.
At the last legislature the bill was last
by only d few votes, and the promoters be-
lieve that 1t was only through ignorance of
the benefits to be derived from the plan that
these killing votes were cast. 1t is fer this
reason that the committee appeals not only
to club women but to all Minnesota women,
to use their influence for the bill If a cir
culating library is a good thing in a city
where there are many other advantages. it
is a better thing in the villages and rural
| communities, where other liberalizing infu-
| ences are few.
The committee art interchange an
nounced that it was able to furnish lantern
slides, illustrative OF art masterpieces, at a
nominal rate. The committee hopes soon
to effect plan of cooperative exchange Of