The times., 1898-05-06
THE MOTHERS CONGRESS.
Yesterdays Proceedings More Tha.
Usually Interesting.


The proceedings of the National Con-
gress of Mothers, yesterday were more
than usually interesting. Three sessions
were held and in the evening a reception
was rendered the delegates at the Ebbitc
House. During the afternoon the dele
gates and a large number of their friends
were rendered reception at the White
House by President and Mrs. Mckinley.
At the morning business session there
was lively discussion on the proposition
to change The term of office of the Presi-
dent from three to two years. The de-
bate of this question was taken part in
by many of the most prominent of the
delegates and upon the vote being taken
the motion to shorten the term TO two
years was defeated by an overwhelming
ajOrty.
At the evening meeting Miss Janet f.
H. Richards discussed other People
Children. from the Standpoint of an OBJ
servant Sinister" Her remarks, how
ever. were more in the nature Of criti-
cism of the alleged ridicnle which she
said is continually directed at the Con-
lress of Mothers by newspaper para
graphers. Miss Richards also explained
the differences between "old maids,
Iv to the amusement of the audience.
The first-named. she said, was fast be-
coming extinct; the spinster is highly
respectable person, and the bachelor
maid is rapidly increa sing. She also de-
plored the fact that there are two stand
ards of morality-one for men and an
other for women. The audience express
ed its Endorsement and appreciation OF
Miss Richards's remarks by frequent and
hearty applause.
Mrs Sara a. Spencer, who was to have
addressed the congress yesterday morn
ing, spoke last evening on the "Neces-
sity Of Legible Writing" and Miss Julia
King, of Boston, discussed the subject,
Expression Necessary 10 Evolution"
The music during the evening was fur
nished by the vested choir of Ascension
Church, under the direction of Mr.. Fran
els Edward Camp. During the morning
meeting. which began at 10 o'clock, the
following subjects were discussed:
THE Work of the Childrens Aid So
ciety of Philadelphia. Pa" Miss Lucre-
tia NJ B. Mitchell, Philadelphia, Pa; "A
Message to the Mothers of Blind Chill
dren." Mr. Edward E. Allen principal of
Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruc
tion of the Blind, Hadden6eld, \. j.; The
Promotion of Purity in Literature and
Art" Mrs. Emile D. Martin, superintend-
ent Department Promotion of Purity in
Literature and Art w. c. T. u, New
York; kindergarten Training" Miss AL
ice e. Fits principal Normal Training
School for Kindergartners, Pratt Insti-
tute, Brooklyn n. y; The Little Moth
ers' of Manhattan Tenements." Mrs. AL
ma Calder Johnson, president Little
Mothers Aid Association. New York City;
Some Common Errors in Regard to the
Education of the Deaf" DR.. E. NJ. Cal
laudet, president College for Deaf, Ken
dali Green, Washington, D. c.; ideals of
Motherhood in Literature Rev. Frank
Sewell, Washington, d. c.
The afternoon session was opened with
vocal solo by Mrs. Alfred NJ. BedeIl,
of New York, after which Mr.. Theodore
F. Seward, of New York, read a paper
on The Origin and Philosophy of the
Don't Worry Movement and Miss G. l.
S. Andrews gave a graphic description Of
The Corner Stone of the Don't Worry
Movement"