The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-18
THAT WAITING LIST
Only Nineteen Were
at Yesterdays
Meeting.
NO NEW CLUB YET.
Nearly All Are Satisfied
as Things
Are.

Nineteen out of the 2S7 ladies on the
Worcester Woman's club waiting list
met in Salisbury hall yesterday after
noon and decided that it was inexpedi-
ent to take any steps toward forming a
new organization.
The enthusiasm of the waiting list for
new club of its own has been gradu-
ally waning since last week Wednesday,
when the Womans club voted to extend
its membership by 200, and apparently
even those who were most pronounced
in their desire for a new club have
joined the majority of the waiting list
in their contentment at being admitted
to the Woman's club. There were wo-
men whose names stood high upon the
list who a week ago were strongly in
favor Of a new, small club, which
should afford the individual opportunity
for work and should have civic interest
at heart. Then there was another Sec
ton of the waiting list composed of
young college graduates, who wanted to
belong to club but have almost des-
paired of joining the Woman's club.
Then there was a large body of wo-
men who, having waited all these years
to join the Woman's club, intended to
have that or nothing; and finally there
were the women who wanted to join a
club, any club, and who were perfectly
contented at being admitted to the Wo-
mans club.
But this enumeration does not include
those women who, until within a day
or two ago, have been so Jealous for a
new club, and who would have been the
backbone of a new club, had it been or
ganized. These have evidently seen
new light, but whether they are really
satisfied or have been carried along by
the force of circumstances, or have only
postponed action until a more suitable
time, remains to be seen.
Undoubtedly the action of the Wo-
mans club in practically voting to build
a new club house has had great weight
with the waiting list. The idea of be-
longing to the organization which shall
own this beautiful building and enjoy
all it's multiform privileges is distinctly
pleasing to them, Notwithstanding that
some of them are worried for fear that
they may be taxed to build the new club
house.
The meeting was called by Mrs. John
E. futile, temporary chairman, but of
the seven ladies who had been most
active in stirring up the waiting list
to action, only three were present. Mrs.
futile attended a meeting of the We'll
lesley Alumnae association, of which
she is president; Mrs. Sidney A. Reeve
was detained at home by domestic en-
gagements; Mrs. G. A. Slocomb and
Mrs. E. r. Goodwin were absent. The
Indifference with which the future OF
the waiting list was viewed is respon-
sible in large measure for the small
attendance, but it must also be taken
into account that notice of the meet
ing had been disseminated only through
the press, and that the Worcester
League Of Unitarian Women and the
College club tea at Miss Curtis both
absorbed the interests of members of
the waiting list
There was considerable difficulty ex-
perienced in finding a chairman TO pre-
side at yesterdays meeting, but finally
Mrs. Willard Scott consented TO take
the chair, and raped the meeting to
order. She then called upon Mrs. Eio-
mer p. Lewis, chairman of the COM
mittee that was appointed to present
plans for new club, to report for the
committee. Mrs. Lewis said that there
was both a minority and a majority
report, and proceeded to give the mi
nority report, which provided for the
whole membership to go into one de-
partment, which might be called a civic
the study of civic and municipal af-
fairs and such action as might grow
out of that study. The majority report
advised four departments-civics, liter
ature, art, and education. The art de-
partment might prosecute course Of
study, to be followed by lectures. The
educational department should deal
with questions pertaining to the schools
and educational interests generally and
to current events.
After these reports had been given,
Mrs. Henry MeKinstry arose and said
that she would not favor the civic club
plan, as the city already had q civic
club Mrs c. F. Carroll remarked that
the minority idea was very narrow. and
she should prefer the other. Then some
one asked the purpose of the meeting
and Mrs. Scott explained that Is ladies'
had signified a desire to form q club,
whatever the action of the WOnan's
club should be- The question was raised
whether the Woman's club would per-
nit it's members to join another club,
and Mrs. Scott said she should not join
new club on any account. She wanted
to Join the Woman's club and should
walt until she did join. The chairman
said she had been Informed by an Of
dcer of the Womans club that all the
237 women on the list would be admit
ted soon. Mrs. Albert r. I<imball moved
that in view of the woman club ac-
ton. the question Of a new club be
dropped and the meeting be adjourned,
and this motion was unanimously car
ried, thus disposing for the present of
the new club. The turn of events m ight
have been reversed had certain other
women been present to have carried
their ideas through, for there are un-
doubtedly some influential women in
the group who hold tenaciously to their
first notions of the desirability of a
smaller club devoted to civic interests.