The Saint Paul globe., 1898-10-30
FROM THE FEDERATION TO
ALL WOMEN

1t is as natural for women to clean, scrub
and sweep as it is for a duck to quack, wad-
die and swim. 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 as possible, giving
especial attention to the school buildings
in the country districts. Second-To have
the rubbish cleaned from vacant lots, as we'll
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
F1fth-Much can be done in almost every
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 as a general federation
of women's cubs and as individuals, as far
as possible pledge ourselves to take up
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 as the reforesting of denuded
waste lands, is 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
committee, with power to act be appoint
ed to carry this resolution into effect"
The letter containing the resolution is
signed by Miss Margaret ]. Evans, state presi-
dent of federated clubs and by the COM
mittee on town and village improvements.
And, by the way. what has become of St.
Paul's Improvement league? -
Another thing which the federation 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 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
I impetus given to reading habits, be instru-
| mental in forming a permanent local library;
| they can be loaned to small and struggling
| libraries, thereby increasing their usefulness
| by the addition of fresh material; they can
J be loaned to clubs or classes which need Sc
! lections Of books on certain given topics; they
| can be loaned to villages rural communi-
ties, and so bring the possibility of a free
library within the reach of the smallest ham
| let.
At the last legislature the bill was lest
by only few votes, and the promoters be-
| lieye that it was only through ignorance Of
the benefits to be derived from the plan thai
| these killing votes were cast 1t is for this
| reason that the committee appeals not only
to club women, but to all Minnesota women
to use their influence for the bill. If cir
-culating library is a good thing in a city
where there are many other advantages. il
is better thing in the villages and rurat
communities. where other liberalizng inf1u
| ences are few.
! The committee ON art interchange an.
nounced that it was able to furnish lantern.
slides, illustrative of art MASTERPIECES, at
nominal rate. The committee hopes soor
| to effect a plan of cooperative exchange ol