The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-19

the world might take in one another
there were conditions peculiar to each
state and which could only be of i'm
portance to the inhabitants thereof
To some the advent of the state feder-
atoms presaged dire disaster to the
general Instead there was rapid
and steady growth of the general fed
Grafton. The state declarations seemed
to furnish added inspiration and en-
thusiasm. In fact, the growth has
reached such stage that the general
federation is now confronted with
many perplexing questions, so per-
picking that some of the best known
and best informed club women declare
if something inst done and done with
fail in practical usefulness and must
in time develop elements of discord
that may lead to disintegration.'
The Denver biennial. which was held
in June, 1898, seems to have furnished
the conditions which are the most fore
ible argument presented by those who
urge reorganization, namely. that the
general federation has reached such
numbers that the old rule of represent
tation is no longer wise, because the
biennial conventions are so large that
they have become unwieldy. 1t will
be remembered that the Denver ben
NAL was the largest convention of wo-
men ever held; that more than $500
delegates from Individual clubs and
state declarations were present One
Yer, the city of homes, and the beauti-
full scenery of Colorado. Another was
the enthusiasm of the Colorado wo-
men. Almost Immediately after the
announcement was made that Denver
would be the place of meeting of the
fourth biennial clubs sprang into eX-
istence in almost every little village
and hamlet of Colorado. They sought
membership in the general fedora alton
and were accepted. There was no time
during the convention that the Col
orado clubs did not hold the balance
of power. Nothing proves their I'M
selfishness and loyalty to the best in
terests of the national organization
more than the fact that their foremost
club woman, one famed for her elo-
quence and ability wherever the gen
eral federation of women's clubs is
known refused to allow her name to
appear among the candidates for the
presidency, and chiefly because of
these selfsame conditions. AT this
biennial a change was made in the by
laws which provided that each club
of so or less would be entitled to one
representative; previously it was two
each for all clubs; for the large clubs
representation was provided for ac-
cording to their membership. Never
since it's organization has the general
federation been self supporting. The
officers receive no salaries and pay
their own expenses, and at the bien-
NAL private purses have furnished the
funds necessary to secure specialists
who appeared on the programme At
once it becomes evident that there is
danger of a moneyed aristocracy con-
trolling the federation. These condi-
tons have resulted in a tax being
levied. Formerly all clubs paid $40
biennially and state fedora tons s25; &C
cording to the Denver amendment
scent per capita tax is levied annu-
ally instead of the previous biennial
dues. Since then the general fedora
ton has been agitated by the old
question, representation and taxation.
AT the council meeting held in Phil
adelphia in June of this year COM
mittee on reorganization was appoint
ed and resolutions adopted which re-
quest that the question of reorgani-
cation of the G. F. W. c., together
with the dependent questions of proper
taxation and representation, be thor
oughIy discussed in each club, if pos
sibIe before the annual state fedora