Omaha daily bee., 1898-10-09
Women Gather Together to Discuss the
Welfare Of Children.
coLoRED TEACHER GIVEN AN OVATION
First Session is Given over Largely
to Welcoming Visiting Dele
gates and an Informal
Reception.

among the many world famed women were
the president Mrs. Theodore w. Birney, Of
Washington; recording secretary, Mrs. SAL
lie s. Cotton, OF Falkland, n. c.; corre-
spending secretary Mrs. Vesta II. Cassidy,
of National Park seminary, Glen Forest,
Md; treasurer. Mrs. Hardin w. Masters,
OF Lewiston, ILL.,. Mrs. Mary II. Weeks OF
Kansas City; Miss Amelie Hofer and Miss
Frances Newton Of Chicago, DR.. Mary Wood
Allen OF Ann Arbor, Mrs. Hollenberger OF
virginia and Miss Moten OF Washington,
d. c.
Mrs. Ford called the congress to order
and after a few words OF hearty pleasure
at seeing so many people present, intro
duced Mrs. Harriette Heller, who formally
welcomed the mothers.
After a most cordial greeting and men
tion OF the youth of the congress, Mrs Hell
Ter said: Though we are a Mothers con-
gress we are in our infancy. But youth
bears no dscredit. The mightiest oak was
once feeble shoot. And that great and
good man whom we are soon to welcome
here in Omaha was once little child,
young and helpless. AS he has grown great,
so we must and shall grow.
Mother Needs to study.
People think nothing of live stock shows,
doctors conventions and the like, but they
are inclined to scoff at Mothers congress.
Yet there are different ways OF caring for
children. And the mother who occasionally
leaves her child, yet not without pangs, to
discuss the best methods OF child culture
returns more able and competent As
music stimulates man and makes him
stronger, so a rest stimulates the mother
in her care for her child. Recently l Wis
tied the electrical plant that supplies the
myriads of electric lights that make our
exposition so beautiful by night. l found
a lot Of machinery and belts, with lubri-
eating devices and copper heads which
caused a multitude OF sparks. These were
the instruments which cast the light. And
it occurred to me that our congress was
like that power house, the machinery, belts
and lubricating device by which light is
cast in every home"
Mrs Birney, the national president, re-
sponded to the welcome. ut gives me great
pleasure to hear these words OF welcome
and to attend the exposition. When Mrs.
Heller extended the invitation to us we
wondered II we could accept, for October Is
a busy month for mothers. But we wanted
TO get in closer touch with the women OF the
west and we came.
helplessness OF children and to aid that
helplessness our Mothers congress was
formed. 1t is but two years old and it de-
pends on women whether it grows as it de-
serves or falls by the wayside.
"In my moments OF distress, which come
to us all, l seem to see visions OF thousands
OF little hands stretched out appealingly to
me. Some are from palatial homes, where
nothing is lacking, others from the less for
tunate. No work or sacrifice can be too
great,to bring happiness to these children"
Mrs Cotton, Miss Cassidy, Mrs. Muller,
Miss Hofer and Miss Newton were then pre-
sented in turn to the audience and expressed
their pleasure and delight in being here.
CoIored Teacher Talks.
Mrs. Heller next introduced Miss Moten
OF Washington, the colored kindergarten
teacher who has done so much for her fell
lowmen. Miss Moten said: 81 thank you
many times for my cordial reception. l beaI
to you messages of love and sympathy from
all our mothers for the colored mothers
are fully alive to all questions and especially
to that OF their children. In our young oi
today their interest chiefly centers Though
the position OF our present and future gen.
erations is vastly above that of former times
It is not what we hope to see it.
Since certain conditions exist we mus
not close our eyes to them. The solution
depends upon the mothers of the land
They shape the destnies OF nations; fol
the hand that rocks the cradle rules the
world.
I'VE wish to make the most of our op.
portunties. We can show you a genera
ton OF young men and women of which yol
can be proud. But we need your aid anC
support. Do for us what all other nationt
have done for their oppressed; for We cal
never aspire unless you inspire.
There is a large class OF colored mel
and women who have never known the hor
rors of antebellum days, Break down th
barrier and we will help you. We fee
that the child is the bridge on which w
shall meet. But you must not make u
feel inferior"
In burst OF applause Miss Moten sa
down.
A telegram OF greeting and best wishe
from the Salt Lake City and letter fror
the South Dakota branches were then read
Mrs. Heller announced that a mass meet
ing would be held at the First Congrega
tional church this afternoon at O'Clock
The following program will occupy tn
congress today and Monday:
Sunday afternoon; Mass meeting; devo
tional exercises; brief addresses by Mrs
Theodore Brney OF Washington, Mis-
Amalic Hofer, Miss Frances Newton an
Mrs. Ella w. Peattie Of Chicago, and Mrs
w r. Hartford and Mrs. II. II. Heller {
Omaha.
Monday morning Open conference; in
formal discussion of matters connected wit
home and school; organization of mothers
clubs: questions and answers.
Monday afternoon: Paper Result OF III
Training School in Washington for Colore
Kindergartens." DR.. Lucy Moten; addres
Mother and Teacher" Mrs Vesta II, Cas-
sidy. Washington, d. c., correspondent
secretary National Congress Of Mothers; dis
cussion.
Monday evening: Address, "a Nations
Training School for Women" Mrs, Sallie
Cotton. Falkland, n. c., recording secretai
National Congress OF Mothers; addres
Methods OF Organization" Mrs. Mary /
Weeks Kansas City, auditor National Coz
gress OF Mothers; discussion, led by Mrs
c. Ricketts, OF Lincoln, Mrs. McMullen
Evanston, H., Mrs. Mary S. Lockwoo
Washington, d. c., Mrs. Sudborough, Mr.
Ford OF Omaha and others.
To TkIEx of HOUSEHOLD ECONOMIC