The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-06-26
A GREAT COUNCIL OF WOMEN
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OPENS
IN LONDON TODAY,
The Objects of the AsscmbInge-So'nt
of the Delegates Who Wnl
he In Attendance.

London. June 25.--Tomorrow is the
opening day OF the most famous congress
OF women ever assembled, for it represents
OF national womans societies than any
previous like gathering. The International
Council OF Women Is a federation of ma
tlonal councils or union OF women formed
In various countries for the promotion of
unity and mutual understanding between
all associations OF women working for the
common welfare of the community. The
objects Of the council are to provide
means OF communication between womon's
organizations in all countries and to en-
able women from all parts of The world 10
meet together to confer upon questions
relating 10 the welfare OF the common
wealth.
Its constitution is unique, as 1t is a
council from which no woman's counsel
Is excluded. The basis of membership IL
the golden rule. do unto others as We
/ would that they should do unto you" 10
( sum up briefly the International council
1 is formed OF national councils, each of
which is composed OF representatives OF
/ the various women's associations In each
respective country. At present national
I councils have been formed In the United
I States, Canada, Germany Sweden, Great
4 Britain and Ireland, New Zealand New
/ south Wales and Italy While the move
ment has also taken preliminary shape In
/ France, Holland, Denmark, Belgium, Fin
land, switzerland; and delegates from
these countries are at todays gathering
The International council has not specially
identified Itself with any one movement.
This was guarded against by the Original
( tors. who, though all adherents of the
temperance and woman's suffrage move
montc, drew up a constitution which ex-
pressly provided against either the inter-
national councils, or its component parts,
the national councils, specially espousng
those or any other controversial uues-
lions. The frst meeting of the interna-
tional took place In Washington In 1883,
when Mrs. Fawcett was elected president
For the succeeding five years the progress
was not rapid, but when In 1898 II held its
first quinquennial meeting in Chicago In
connection with the womens branch OF
the Worlds Fair the international cegan
to gather strength At that memorable
meeting there were representative women
from 80 different nationalties and the ma
jority OF these returned 10 their own
countries pledged TO form national coun-
ellis OF women in harmony with the con-
stltution OF the International AT the
Chicago meeting the following officers
were elected; The Countess OF Aberdeen
: president; Mrs. May Wright Sewsll, vice.
president; The Baroness Alexandria Grit
penberg Finland treasurer; Mrs. Eva
Maclaren, corresponding secretary; Mime
Maria Martin, France, recording secreta-
ny. All these ladies retain offices today
excepting Mre. Eva Maelaren, who resign
ed two years ago on account OF III health
and her place is now filled by Miss Teresa
Wilson.
Among the one hundred American dele
gates are Miss Susan 3. Anthony, Mrs
May Wright sewall, Mis- Fannie Humph-
reys GaNney OF New York, president Ma
tional Council OF Women; Mrs Rebecca
Grafton of Women's Clubs; Mrs. Cynthia
Westovcr Alden Of New York. OF the Ma
tional Women's Press association:
Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson ana Miss
Sadie American OF Chicago; Rev Anna
Howard Shaw and Miss Agnes Reppler Of
Philadelphia. Mrs, Clara Young Gates ana
Mrs. Emcllna b. Wells OF salt Lake City,
Mrs charlotts Perkins Stetson OF Hart
ford, Miss Octayia w, Bates of Detroit.
and Mrs, Annie Jepness Miller OF New
! York. The Titled women of the Continent
! al and British aristoerncy who. either as
delegates or speakers take an active part
In the proceedings are as follows: The
: Countess OF Aberdeen the Countess al
: Warwick. Lady Beatrice Kempe, Lady
Louise EEskine, Lady Ulrica Dunoomhe,
Lady Marjorie Gordon, Lady Morpeth.
Lady Jeune, Lady Henry Somerset, hte
! Hon. Mrs. Bertrand Russell, Lady Dat
, teroea, Lady Rothschild, the Duchess OF
Sutherland. Niscountess Hampden OF New
South Wales, the Countess Tayerna OF
italy; Janet, Lady Clarke OF Victoria,
Her Excellenoy Nine. de Philosoff, o.
Russia Tho Hon. Mrs. Triton, the Count
ess Hamilton. ofSweden; Lady Georgiana
Vernon, The Hon, Emily Klnnaird, Lady
Laura Kidding, The Baroness Alexandria
Gripenberg, Of Finland: Lady Frances
Balfour and the Baroness Won Lanpedan
OF Austria. The Rev. Canon I.yttleton ana
the Bishop OF London are taking a great
interest In the convention. The Bishop o.
London gives gerden party at Fulham
Palace and the president OF Downing
College. Cambridge. also gives reeep-